{"id":53480,"date":"2025-06-27T16:48:34","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T13:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/?p=53480"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:38:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:38:36","slug":"how-much-screen-time-is-ok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/en\/how-much-screen-time-is-ok","title":{"rendered":"How Much Screen Time Is OK?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cartoons at\u00a0breakfast, tablets in\u00a0the car, games after school\u2014screens have become part of\u00a0everyday life.<\/p>\n

But how much screen time is\u00a0actually okay<\/em>? It\u2019s not just about limits\u2014what your child is\u00a0watching, with whom, and why also matter.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc76 Infants: 0\u20132 years<\/h2>\n

Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of\u00a0Pediatrics agree that until 18\u00a0months, it\u2019s best to\u00a0avoid screens altogether<\/strong>, with one exception: video calls with loved ones.<\/p>\n

Babies need real-world interaction: touch, eye contact, and the sound of\u00a0your voice. From 18\u00a0months\u00a0on, short videos are okay, but only when watched together. Talking about what you see on\u00a0the screen is\u00a0important because it\u00a0helps your child make sense of\u00a0what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc67 Preschoolers: 2\u20135 years<\/h2>\n

Experts recommend that preschoolers use screens no\u00a0more than 1\u00a0hour a\u00a0day<\/strong>, and ideally with a\u00a0parent nearby. Educational content and active co-viewing are far better than passive watching. When you talk with your child about what they see, it\u00a0builds their language and thinking skills.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\uddd2 Younger School-Age Kids: 6\u201310 years<\/h2>\n

Here, balance is\u00a0key. Screen time shouldn\u2019t interfere with sleep, school, or\u00a0movement.<\/p>\n

The American Academy of\u00a0Pediatrics recommends setting rules together<\/em>\u2014when and where screens are allowed. For entertainment (not school), 1.5 to\u00a02\u00a0hours a\u00a0day<\/strong> is\u00a0a\u00a0healthy limit: breaks, good content, and no\u00a0screens \u00abjust in\u00a0the background\u00bb all help.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc66 Teens: 11\u201317 years<\/h2>\n

As\u00a0kids grow, trust and conversation become more important than strict limits. According to\u00a0Common Sense Media, teens average 8.5 hours of\u00a0screen time daily\u2014but that\u2019s not always a\u00a0problem. The real question\u00a0is: how are they spending that time?<\/p>\n

Help your teen learn to\u00a0spot quality content, take breaks, and know when it\u2019s time to\u00a0unplug.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Screen Time by Age<\/p><\/div>\n

What Matters Most<\/h2>\n

Screen time is\u00a0just one part of\u00a0the picture. It\u2019s also about what your child is\u00a0watching, how they feel about\u00a0it, and whether someone is\u00a0there to\u00a0guide them.<\/p>\n

UNICEF reminds\u00a0us: watching together and talking about content\u2014from cartoons to\u00a0games\u2014often helps more than just setting strict time limits.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the end, what matters most is\u00a0being there. Children need adults they can trust\u2014not just rules to\u00a0follow.<\/p>\n

References:<\/h2>\n