Managing Screen Time for Kids

In today's digital world, screens are everywhere—smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, and gaming devices are woven into the fabric of daily life. Managing your child's screen time has become one of modern parenting's most challenging tasks, complicated by the fact that screens are necessary for school, genuinely valuable for some purposes, and yet potentially harmful when overused. The goal isn't to eliminate screens entirely, but to help your child develop a healthy, balanced relationship with technology that will serve them throughout their lives.

What the Research Shows AAP

Understanding what we actually know about screens and child development can help you make informed decisions for your family.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that for babies and toddlers under 18 months, screen time (except video chatting) provides little developmental benefit and may have downsides. AAP Young children learn best through interactive, real-world experiences with caregivers. The back-and-forth of human interaction—called "serve and return"—builds brain architecture in ways that screens simply cannot replicate.

For children 18 months to 5 years, research shows that high-quality, educational programming can provide some benefits, but only when adults watch alongside children, help them understand what they're seeing, and connect content to the real world. AAP Passive viewing without adult engagement provides much less benefit.

For school-age children and teens, the picture becomes more nuanced. Some screen time—especially when it involves creation, learning, or genuine social connection—can be positive. Excessive screen time, particularly passive consumption or social media use, has been associated with sleep problems, decreased physical activity, and in some studies, increased anxiety and depression. CSM

The AAP emphasizes that screen time isn't inherently good or bad—what matters is how much, what kind, when, and what it's replacing. AAP

AAP Screen Time Guidelines by Age AAP

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides evidence-based recommendations for each age group.

For children under 18 months, the AAP recommends avoiding screen media entirely except for video chatting with family members. Video chat is different because it involves real-time interaction with a responsive person the child knows—it's more like a phone call than passive media consumption. AAP

For children 18 to 24 months, if parents choose to introduce digital media, the AAP recommends selecting high-quality programming and watching together. At this age, children still struggle to transfer learning from screens to the real world, so parent engagement is essential. AAP

For children 2 to 5 years, the AAP recommends limiting screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programming. Programs like Sesame Street, designed with child development research in mind, have demonstrated educational benefits when watched with engaged adults. AAP The one-hour limit helps ensure screens don't displace crucial activities like active play, reading, and family interaction.

For children 6 and older, the AAP recommends consistent limits on screen time and types of media, with priority given to adequate sleep, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors. Rather than specifying a particular hour limit, the AAP suggests that families create personalized media plans that work for their values and situation. AAP

Quality Matters as Much as Quantity CSM

Not all screen time is equal. Understanding the spectrum of screen activities can help you make better choices for your family.

Active, creative screen time includes activities where children are producing rather than consuming: making digital art, coding, creating videos, writing stories, or learning a new skill through an educational app with genuine interactive elements. Common Sense Media notes that these activities can build skills and knowledge. CSM

Interactive, educational content with adult engagement includes watching educational programming together and discussing it, playing educational games with a parent, or using screens for virtual museum tours or nature videos that spark real-world follow-up activities. The adult engagement transforms passive consumption into active learning. AAP

Passive consumption includes watching videos without discussion, scrolling through content feeds, or watching others play games rather than playing yourself. This type of screen time provides the least benefit and is most associated with negative outcomes when it becomes excessive. CSM

Social media presents particular considerations for older children and teens. While it can provide genuine social connection, research has linked heavy social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image concerns, particularly in adolescent girls. AAP The AAP recommends that parents be aware of what platforms their children use and maintain ongoing conversations about online experiences.

Creating a Family Media Plan AAP

The AAP recommends that families create a personalized media plan that reflects their values and needs. This is more effective than arbitrary rules because it involves children in the process and can adapt as circumstances change.

Start by identifying family priorities. What activities do you want to protect from screen encroachment? Family meals, bedtime routines, outdoor play, reading time, and family activities are common choices. Building your screen time approach around these priorities ensures screens don't displace what matters most. AAP

Designate screen-free times that work for your family. The AAP recommends making mealtimes screen-free for everyone (including parents), avoiding screens for at least one hour before bedtime (the blue light and stimulating content can interfere with sleep), and keeping screens off during homework unless needed for the assignment. AAP

Create screen-free zones in your home. Bedrooms are an important screen-free zone, particularly for younger children. When screens are in bedrooms, parents have less visibility into how much and what children are consuming, and the temptation to use screens when they should be sleeping is greater. CSM

Model the behavior you want to see. Children are watching how you use your phone. If you're constantly checking notifications, scrolling while they're talking to you, or using screens as your primary relaxation, they'll learn that this is normal behavior. The AAP notes that parental screen habits significantly influence children's habits. AAP

Practical Strategies for Managing Screen Time CSM

Implementing your family media plan requires practical strategies that work in real life.

Use built-in parental controls and time limits available on most devices and platforms. These tools can enforce agreed-upon limits even when you're not physically present. Common Sense Media provides guides for setting up controls on various devices. CSM

Make turning off screens easier by creating natural stopping points. When a show ends, when a timer goes off, or when a level is completed are all easier transition points than interrupting mid-activity. Giving warnings ("Five more minutes, then we're turning it off") helps children prepare for the transition. AAP

Have appealing alternatives available. Children (and adults) often turn to screens by default when they're bored or don't know what else to do. Having accessible art supplies, books, outdoor play equipment, and family games makes choosing non-screen activities easier.

Consider when and why screens are being used. Using screens as an occasional reward or as entertainment during a long car trip is different from using them as the primary way to calm an upset child or occupy them whenever you need a break. If screens are becoming the default solution for difficult moments, consider developing alternative strategies. AAP

Signs of Unhealthy Screen Use AAP

While many children navigate screens just fine with appropriate limits, some develop problematic patterns. Watch for warning signs that screen use may have become unhealthy.

Difficulty stopping when asked, beyond normal minor protests, may indicate a problem. If your child has severe meltdowns when screens are turned off, seems unable to stop on their own, or sneaks screen time when forbidden, this warrants attention. AAP

Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, particularly outdoor play, sports, in-person socializing, or creative activities, can signal that screens are becoming too dominant.

Using screens as the primary way to manage emotions—turning to screens whenever upset, anxious, bored, or uncomfortable—prevents children from developing other coping skills and can create an unhealthy dependence. CSM

Declining school performance, sleep problems, changes in eating habits, or withdrawal from family and friends that seem connected to screen use are all concerning patterns worth addressing.

If you observe these patterns and can't resolve them through normal limit-setting, consider consulting your pediatrician or a mental health professional who specializes in children and technology.

Talking About Content CSM

As children get older, what they're consuming becomes as important as how much. Ongoing conversations about online content are essential.

Show genuine interest in their digital lives. Ask about their favorite games, shows, and online activities. Watch or play together sometimes. This keeps you informed about what they're experiencing and maintains open communication. CSM

Discuss what's real versus fake online. Children need to understand that influencers are often paid to promote products, that photos are heavily edited, that strangers online may not be who they claim to be, and that content is often designed to manipulate emotions and keep them scrolling. CSM

Create safety around discussing uncomfortable content. Let your child know they can come to you if they see something disturbing, confusing, or that makes them uncomfortable—and then respond calmly when they do. If you react with anger or immediate punishment, they'll stop telling you. AAP

Address cyberbullying, online privacy, and digital citizenship as your child gets older. These conversations should start before children are actively using social media and continue throughout adolescence. CSM

The Bottom Line

Screen time is a nuanced issue that doesn't have simple, one-size-fits-all answers. The goal is helping your child develop a balanced, healthy relationship with technology—one where screens are a tool for learning, connection, and sometimes entertainment, but don't displace sleep, physical activity, family time, or face-to-face relationships.

Start with clear family values and priorities. Use the AAP guidelines as a foundation but adapt them to your family's needs. Stay engaged with what your child is consuming. Keep communication open. And model the relationship with technology that you want your child to develop.

Clara is here to help you think through specific screen time challenges, understand guidelines, or troubleshoot particular situations. Don't hesitate to ask.