Screen Time for Kids: Finding a Healthy Balance

Screens are part of modern childhood: shows, games, video calls and schoolwork. They can be fun and even educational. But too much screen time can crowd out sleep, play, reading and time together. The goal isn't zero screens; it's balance. Here are practical tips that work for real families.

What experts suggest

Guidelines vary by country, but many health organisations suggest:

• Under 18–24 months: avoid screens other than video calls.
• Ages 2–5: about one hour a day of high-quality content, ideally watched together.
• Ages 6+: consistent limits that make sure screens don't replace sleep, physical activity and other healthy behaviours.

Rather than counting every minute, many families focus on what children watch, when and what screens replace.

Quality matters

Not all screen time is the same:

• Better choices: slower-paced shows, educational apps, creative tools, video calls with family.
• Watch together: talking about what you watch helps children learn more.
• Be cautious with: fast-paced shows, autoplay, games with in-app purchases and endless scrolling.

Family screen rules that work

1. No screens at meals. For grown-ups too.
2. No screens in bedrooms, especially overnight.
3. Screens off an hour before bed. It helps sleep. See bedtime routine.
4. Jobs before screens: homework, chores and getting ready.
5. Use timers and give a five-minute warning before screens go off.
6. Turn off autoplay.
7. Screen-free days or afternoons. Try a screen-free weekend.

Write the rules together and stick them on the fridge.

Making screens go off without a meltdown

• Give a warning: "Five minutes left, then we're turning it off."
• Finish at a natural end point, like the end of an episode or level.
• Have the next activity ready: "When it's off, we're going to the park."
• Stay calm and consistent.
• Praise them when they turn it off well.

Great alternatives to screens

• Creative: coloring, crafts, drawing and building. Try our coloring pages or a coloring book.
• Active: outdoor play, dancing and bike rides. See outdoor activities.
• Thinking: puzzles, mazes and board games.
• Reading: books, comics and audiobooks.
• Together: cooking, gardening and family games.

Using screens well

Screens can be positive:

• Video calls with grandparents.
• Creative apps for drawing, music or coding.
• Online coloring. Our color online tool lets children paint pictures on a tablet.
• Learning: educational games, documentaries and online museums.

Screens and grown-ups

Children copy what they see. Try to:

• Put your phone away during meals and play.
• Have phone-free times of day.
• Talk about how you use your own screens.

Screen time by age

Toddlers: very limited, mostly video calls and watching together.

Preschoolers: short, high-quality shows, watched together when possible.

School age: clear family rules, a mix of entertainment and learning, and no screens in bedrooms.

Tweens: more independence with agreed limits, online safety conversations and parental controls.

Online safety basics

• Use parental controls and child-friendly settings.
• Keep devices in shared family spaces.
• Talk about not sharing personal information.
• Encourage children to tell you if something online upsets them.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Rules without reasons. Explain why limits matter.
• Inconsistent rules. Children push harder when rules change.
• Screens as the only reward. Use time together and activities as rewards too.

Frequently asked questions

How much screen time is too much?

It depends on age and what's being replaced. If screens are cutting into sleep, play, reading or family time, it may be too much.

How do I stop tantrums when the TV goes off?

Give warnings, end at natural break points and have a fun next activity ready.

Are educational apps okay?

Yes, in moderation. Choose high-quality apps and use them alongside hands-on play.

Make a family screen plan together

Sit down as a family and agree on:

1. When screens are allowed (after homework, weekend mornings, family movie night).
2. Where screens can be used (shared spaces only, never in bedrooms).
3. How long for each age, and how you'll keep track (a timer, a visual chart).
4. What is okay to watch or play, and who decides.
5. Screen-free zones and times for everyone, including grown-ups (meals, car journeys, the hour before bed).
6. What happens if the plan isn't followed.

Write it down, let everyone sign it and review it every few months as children grow.

How do I handle screens at friends' houses?

Talk to other parents if you're concerned, and explain your family's rules to your child so they know what to expect.

What about screens for homework?

Separate schoolwork time from fun screen time, and keep homework screens in a shared space.

What are signs of too much screen time?

Trouble sleeping, irritability when screens are turned off, less interest in other activities and less time outdoors can all be signs it's time to rebalance.

How can grandparents and carers follow our screen rules?

Share your family screen plan, explain why it matters to you, and leave a box of alternative activities so they have easy options.