How Much Is Too Much Screen Time for Your Kids?

Screen time is nearly impossible to avoid in our modern lives, but kids need to be exposed to a limited amount of screen time for optimal development.

Parents used to tell their kids they would go blind if they sat too close to the television set. Of course, many parents also told kids their faces would get stuck in strange ways if they continued to contort them. Today’s parents must be concerned about screen time and how much it impacts the development of young kids.

What is screen time?

Before computers, tablets, and smartphones, screen time would have been only defined as the amount of time spend in front of a television set. In today’s world, it’s impossible to avoid screen time. We use computers and tablets for our jobs every day, smartphones for information and communication, and still watch TVs for streaming shows, movies, or playing video games. Screens are all around us, and screen time is one of the most important considerations parents of young children.

The experts weigh in

When you want to know how much screen time much for your kids is too, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a good place to start. Their guidance can give you the right information for kids of all ages. Here’s what this expert organization has to say.

Kids under 2 years old

Kids that are two and under don’t really need to be in front of a screen at any time. If you’re using your smartphone as a distraction or entertainment device for them, try toys with buttons and music instead. The AAP recommends very limited screen time for these kids with the only exception being video chatting with family and friends.
Once kids reach 18 months old, they should only consume media when adults are present to discuss the content and monitor what they watch and see.

Kids 2-5 years old

From the ages of two to five years old, screen time should be limited to no more than one hour per day. This is a great time for parents to continue to watch programming with their kids and keep it to things that are interactive and educational. This means parents should not put their kids in front of the TV for hours at a time.

Kids 5-8 years old

Once kids are past five, the screen time limits are based more on development, health, and family considerations. Parents should monitor the content kids view to ensure its safe to consume while also implementing their own rules regarding the amount of screen time. What’s right for one child might not be right for all.

Kids ages nine and older

As kids reach the age of nine, screen time becomes less a concern and more of a conversation. Kids in school will likely utilize screens via tablets, computers, and smartphones for school activities as well as social engagement. As kids get older, its important parents talk to their kids about the importance of putting the screens down for a few hours at a time or having a no-screen weekend from time to time while also discussing the content being viewed and the potential impact it can have.

What are negative impacts of too much screen time?

When kids are exposed to too much screen time, they are prone to having other problems in their lives. Although we use screens for almost all activities in our lives, it’s extremely important for kids, and adults to disconnect and have time away from screens. Some of the negative results of too much time behind a screen are:

• Weight gain
• Less active time
• Sleep problems
• Negative school performance

How can you get your kids to put the screens down?

When you want your kids to put their phones down, turn away from the computer, or turn off the gaming system, you’ve got to give them something to replace the time. Most kids don’t naturally pick up a book and flip through pages or begin doing something creative. While boredom can breed creativity, expecting that to come from an imposed non-screen time is asking too much.

Instead of expecting your kids to get away from the screens to find something else to do, you should schedule and plan activities that are screen-free. These activities should be great family bonding experiences with adults and kids putting the screens away to enjoy some time together. Show your kids by your example that they can put the screens away and enjoy activities that don’t need to go on social media, don’t need to be digitally documented, and can be great bonding experiences.