What are the typical types of screens used and recommended exposure durations for children?

Screen Time in Children: Types and Recommended Exposure Durations

Children's screen time should be limited to less than 2 hours per day, with careful attention to content quality and caregiver interaction, as excessive screen exposure is associated with negative impacts on language development and other developmental domains.

Common Types of Screens Used by Children

Children are commonly exposed to multiple types of screen devices:

• Television: Most prevalent traditional screen device (98% usage) 1
• Smartphones: High usage rate (80% of children) 1
• Tablets: Used by approximately half of children (52.7%) 1
• Computers: Less common but still significant (24% usage) 1

Most children use multiple devices in combination, with 100% of children in one study using more than one type of screen device 1.

Typical Duration of Screen Exposure

Research shows concerning patterns of screen time exposure:

• Average daily screen time: 2.77 hours per day for school-aged children (6-14 years) 2
• Excessive exposure prevalence: 46.4% of school-aged children have screen time ≥2 hours daily 2
• Toddlers and preschoolers: Average of 2.25 hours/day of screen time 1

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this trend, with the percentage of children exceeding 2 hours of daily screen time increasing from 41.3% before January 2020 to 59.4% after January 2020 2.

Content and Usage Patterns

Children's screen time is typically used for:

1. Entertainment: Most common purpose (identified in 15 studies) 2
2. Learning: Less common (identified in 5 studies) 2
3. Socializing: Least common major purpose (identified in 3 studies) 2

Content breakdown:

• 88% watch videos (20% non-educational) 1
• 60% play games (23% non-educational) 1

Developmental Impacts of Screen Time

Negative Effects

• Language development: Prolonged screen time in the first 2 years negatively affects language development, including comprehension and vocabulary range 3
• Cognitive development: Overexposure affects attention to environmental stimuli, problem-solving, and communication skills 3
• Motor development: Children exposed to screens before 12 months and those with longer screen time between 12-18 months show higher risk of motor developmental delays 4

Factors That May Mitigate Negative Effects

• Educational content: Children exposed to >15 minutes daily of educational content showed fewer social-emotional problems and lower risk of motor skills delays compared to those with less educational content exposure 4
• Caregiver interaction: Interactive co-viewing is associated with lower risk of cognitive and language delays and better socioemotional skills 4

Parental Awareness and Concerns

• 82% of parents report no concerns about their children's development despite high screen use 1
• Parents who believe screen time is harmful tend to limit exposure to an average of 1.8 hours/day 1
• Parents who express concerns about language development or attention deficit typically have children with higher screen exposure (2.92 hours/day) 1

Key Recommendations for Screen Time Management

1. Limit total screen time to less than 2 hours per day for children
2. Avoid screen exposure before 12 months of age to prevent developmental delays
3. Prioritize educational and age-appropriate content over entertainment
4. Ensure caregiver presence and interaction during screen time
5. Balance screen time with physical activity, reading, and social interaction

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Passive viewing: Television appears particularly detrimental when used passively 3
• Inappropriate content: Content not suited to children's processing abilities can be harmful 3
• Screen time replacing social interaction: Screen use at the expense of talking and interacting with others may impair development 5
• Ignoring impacts on physical health: Screen time is associated with overweight and sleep disturbances 5