How Much Screen Time Should Your Child Have?
A Research-Based Guide for Parents
Screens have become an unavoidable part of modern life.
From smartphones and tablets to televisions and computers, screens are everywhere—and kids are naturally drawn to them. As parents, you may wonder: How much screen time is too much? Research provides some helpful insights to guide you in managing your child’s screen use in a healthy and age-appropriate way.
Understanding Screen Time Recommendations by Age
Guidelines from organisations like the National Health Service (NHS) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) help outline how much screen time is appropriate for children at different stages of development. Here’s a breakdown of these recommendations and their rationale:
Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years)
Recommendation: Avoid screen time entirely for children under 18 months, except for video chatting with family or friends.
Why? In these critical early years, young brains develop rapidly. Babies benefit most from face-to-face interaction with caregivers, which supports language, motor, and social skills. Screens can distract from these essential interactions and overstimulate developing minds.
Preschoolers (2-5 years)
Recommendation: Limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality content, such as educational programmes or interactive apps designed for their age.
Why? Preschoolers thrive on activities that encourage creativity and physical play. Too much screen time can reduce these opportunities and disrupt healthy sleep patterns.
Primary School Children (5-11 years)
Recommendation: Ensure screen use doesn’t interfere with sleep, exercise, or time spent with family and friends. Experts suggest keeping recreational screen time to around 1-2 hours per day.
Why? At this stage, children need balance. While screens can support learning, excessive use may impact mental focus, physical activity, and social interaction.
Secondary School Students (11-18 years)
Recommendation: Encourage a healthy balance. While there’s no strict hourly limit, screen use should not compromise schoolwork, physical activity, or sleep. The NHS advises parents to work with teens to develop their own boundaries.
Why? Social media, gaming, and online activities can provide both connection and challenges. Excessive use is linked to sleep problems, anxiety, and reduced physical activity, but mindful use can enhance learning and relationships.
Tips for Managing Screen Time
Set Clear Boundaries Create a family media agreement outlining rules about when and where screens can be used. For example, have “no screens” during meals or within an hour before bedtime.
Focus on Quality Prioritise age-appropriate, educational, or creative content. Platforms like BBC Bitesize or apps promoting STEM skills are excellent choices for families.
Model Healthy Habits Show your children how to use screens responsibly by demonstrating balanced habits yourself. Engage in offline hobbies and family activities to set an example.
Encourage Active and Social Time Balance screen use with activities like outdoor play, reading, or spending time with family and friends. For older children, support extracurricular interests that take them offline.
Use Parental Controls Most devices and streaming platforms offer settings to limit screen time and restrict inappropriate content. Regularly review what your child is accessing and discuss their favourite shows, apps, or games.
Designate Tech-Free Spaces Create zones in your home, such as bedrooms or the dining area, where screens are not allowed. This encourages face-to-face interaction and better sleep hygiene.
Finding Balance in a Digital World
Screens are a part of everyday life and sometimes as parents we just need a minute to get a chore completed or drink a cup of coffee warm for a change and screen time can be useful in these moments. This blog is by no means a judgement of the amount of screen time your child has but instead some thoughts about what healthy screen habits could look like.
