At what age is screen time considered safe for children?

Screen Time Safety Guidelines by Age

Screen time is safe starting at age 2 years, limited to less than 1 hour per day; children under 2 years should have zero screen time except for video chatting with family members. 1, 2

Age-Specific Recommendations

Children Under 2 Years

• No screen time whatsoever, with the sole exception of video chatting with family members 1, 2
• This zero-tolerance approach is based on concerns about negative developmental consequences from early screen exposure 1
• The reality is concerning: only 24.7% of children under 2 years actually meet this guideline, meaning three-quarters are being exposed to screens 1, 2

Children Aged 2-5 Years (Early Childhood)

• Maximum of 1 hour per day of screen time 1, 2
• This recommendation is endorsed globally by the American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, and Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines 1, 2
• Only 35.6% of children in this age group meet the 1-hour daily limit 1, 2
• Content must be educational, age-appropriate, and non-violent, with parental supervision required 3

Children Aged 5-12 Years (Middle Childhood)

• Maximum of 2 hours per day of recreational screen time 1, 2
• This limit specifically excludes educational screen use for homework or school-related activities 2
• Children should not sit restrained for more than 1 hour at a time 1

Adolescents Aged 13-18 Years

• Maximum of 2 hours per day of recreational screen time 1
• Extended sitting periods should be limited 1

Critical Implementation Strategies

Environmental Controls

• Establish screen-free zones, particularly in bedrooms and during mealtimes 2
• Create a warm, nurturing home environment that doesn't rely on screens for engagement 3

Sleep Protection

• Maintain consistent sleep schedules and avoid screen time before bed, as screens disrupt sleep patterns 2
• For 2-year-olds specifically, ensure 10-13 hours of quality sleep per night, which may include naps 1

Activity Balance

• Screen time must not replace outdoor physical activities, sleep, family interaction, peer engagement, or skill development 3
• Children aged 2-5 years need at least 180 minutes of varied physical activities daily, with more than 60 minutes being moderate-to-vigorous 1

Important Nuances About Screen Type

The evidence reveals that not all screen time is equally harmful 4:

• Passive screen time (television/movies) is associated with worse health outcomes across the board 4
• Educational screen time (computer for homework) shows positive educational outcomes without negative health associations 4
• Interactive screen time (video games) has mixed effects: positive for education but negative for other health indicators 4

However, these effect sizes are small (standardized effects <0.07), and the guidelines appropriately focus on total duration as the primary concern 4

Health Consequences of Excessive Screen Time

High screen exposure in early childhood is associated with 1, 5:

• Increased adiposity and reduced aerobic fitness 5
• Poorer quality of life and self-esteem 5
• Reduced pro-social behavior 5
• Lower academic achievement 5
• Increased depression and anxiety 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Underestimating actual exposure: Objective measurements show children are exposed to screens far more than parents report, with some 6-month-olds exposed to over 3 hours daily 6
• Socioeconomic disparities: Children from lower-educated households are exposed to 1 hour and 43 minutes more screen time per day starting as early as 6 months of age 6
• Using screens as babysitters: Roughly half of all children exceed the 2-hour recommendation, indicating widespread reliance on screens for child management 5
• Ignoring the cumulative effect: Screen exposure increases with age, from an average of 1 hour 16 minutes at 6 months to 2 hours 28 minutes by 24 months 6