Screen Time & Children

As a parent, it can be easy to sit your child down in front of a screen to distract them while you get a few things done. But does that screen time have a long-term effect on your young child as they grow?

Research about babies, toddlers and screen time is not definitive, but the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization agree that little ones should have zero screen time before 18 or 24 months, except for video chatting with friends or family members. For older children, they recommend no more than one or two hours of screen time a day.

You may find yourself asking, then, why there is so much virtual content marketed as educational for young kids. Research suggests that babies do not actually learn from screens.

While screens can be used as educational tools for older children, they also have disadvantages. More screen time at any age can encourage a lack of physical activity. Too much screen time is linked to poor test performance and childhood obesity.

As a pediatrician at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), I work closely with families to make educated decisions to benefit their children’s health.

To help you make the best decisions around screen time for your child, here is a helpful guide for using (or not using) screen time during childhood.

Screen Time Recommendations for Different Ages

Birth to 18 months old

It is recommended to avoid screen time, unless chatting with grandparents or long-distance friends on video chat. Baby’s first 2 years of life are a significant time for mental development and bonding. At this age, children’s exposure to social interaction, physical movement and in-person vocalization are essential. Babies at this age learn best from other humans and don’t fully comprehend what’s happening on a screen.

Ages 18 months to 2 years old

It is OK to start introducing limited screen time but choose the content your child is consuming wisely. The best educational content for children this age will teach them basic language or math skills. We recommend watching with your little one to help them fully understand what they’re seeing. This age is a very important time for language development, so be sure to continue having conversations and reading books with your baby outside of their limited screen time to help build their language skills.

Ages 2 to 5 years old

Limit screen time to an hour or less per day. At this age, children are more likely to be able to learn from what they watch, so be sure to explain to your child what they’re watching and how it relates to the world around them. Children at this age are also more mobile and are working on their physical development. To help with this, be sure to encourage lots of play away from screens.

Ages 6 years old and older

Children at this age should be getting at least one hour of physical activity per day and eight to 12 hours of sleep a night. Keeping this in mind, parents should determine what’s best for their child in relation to screen time and consider designating times and zones that are screen-free like dinner time and the bedroom.

For all ages, screen time should end at least one hour before bedtime to allow for a healthy sleep cycle.

Parents should also limit their own use of devices when around children. Some fun indoor activities that don’t involve screens include painting, board games or putting a puzzle together.

Remember, at the end of the day, children take in more from experiences in the real world and from their interactions with you than anything else.

The habits you establish with your baby and toddler can last their lifetime. It’s important to create healthy habits and boundaries early. Too much screen time in infancy and toddlerhood can have consequences.

Too much screen time is linked to:

1. Childhood Obesity: Studies show that having too much TV and screen time predicts the risk for obesity into adulthood. More screen time leads to less time for physical play and can also encourage unhealthy eating habits, as junk food is advertised in commercial programming.

2. Short Attention Spans: It’s important for kids to develop the ability to concentrate. This skill develops during their earliest years, when their brains are most sensitive to what’s going on around them. Young brains need time and space to process stimuli. An activity like reading a book out loud allows for better processing of words, images and voices rather than constantly changing images on a screen.

3. Lowered Ability to Control Impulses: Kids need boredom. Being bored teaches the ability to cope with frustration and control impulses. When kids are constantly stimulated by screens, they don’t learn to rely on themselves or others around them for entertainment, which can hinder their imagination and motivation.

4. Cognitive Detriments: Research shows that children with more access to screens have more trouble with communication skills and cognition. Spending time in front of a screen takes away from experiences that support real, genuine learning with other people. The real experiences of childhood are play and exploration, which can’t be done in front of a screen.

Tips for Managing Your Little One’s Screen Time

1. Set Expectations and Adhere to Them: Be firm. We know it’s hard, but it’s important! Use a timer and warn your child before their scheduled screen time is finished. Then, follow through and end the time when it’s over.

2. Give Your Child Ownership: Allow them to turn off the device themselves when their time is complete.

3. Use Empathy: Your child may express anger or sadness when you enforce the rules. It may be helpful to let them know you understand how they feel by saying something like, “I hear that you’re sad that it’s time to turn off the iPad. I get sad when I must put away my favorite thing too. Would a hug make you feel better?”

4. Suggest Another Activity: Surely your child has plenty of options of other things to do. Suggest they take out their favorite game or toy to transition away from their screen.

While it may seem like “everybody’s doing it,” it’s important to make your own informed decisions about your child’s screen time. As a parent, you work tirelessly to ensure your kids are well-cared-for, stay healthy and meet their developmental milestones. In today’s culture, limiting screen time is an important piece of doing just that.

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