Summer Is Coming! Here’s How To Set New Screen Time Rules For Your Kids. (2024)

FAQs

How do I set screen time rules for kids? ›

Create tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtime or one night a week. Discourage use of media entertainment during homework. Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews, such as no exposure to devices or screens one hour before bedtime.

It's recommended that children ages 2 to 5 get no more than one hour of screen time per day. Children 5 and older should be limited to no more than two hours per day. Avoid watching screens during mealtimes and keep devices out of your child's room at night. Avoid passive screen time.

Limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

"Screen time" is a term used for activities done in front of a screen, such as watching TV, working on a computer, or playing video games. Screen time is a sedentary activity, meaning you are being physically inactive while sitting down. Very little energy is used during screen time.

Screen time can impact on myopia development and progression, and is also linked to dry eye syndrome, digital eyestrain, and poor head and neck postures which can cause pain. Teenagers are recommended to have no more than 2 hours of sedentary, recreational screen time per day.

Recommended screen time for kids, by age

For kids older than 2 years, media limits are "very appropriate," the AAP says. It recommends that parents limit screen use to no more than 1 hour or less per day of "high-quality programming."

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended no more than two hours of screen time for children and teenagers, and absolutely no screen time for children under 2.

During the weekday, most children (38%) at this age spend 1-2 hours on devices (with 33% spending 3-4 hours). However, at the weekend, the majority of 11-13-year-olds spend 3-4 hours online per day.

What's a healthy amount of screen time for adults? Experts say adults should limit screen time outside of work to less than two hours per day. Any time beyond that which you would typically spend on screens should instead be spent participating in physical activity.

Should my 12 year old have screen time? ›

How much screen time is ok for my child? Advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that children should have TV free days, or have a two hour limit on the time spent in front of screens.

Excessive screen exposure may significantly contribute to the development of ADHD in children. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce screen time per day in children to prevent the occurrence of ADHD.

“Children with ADHD appear to benefit from shorter periods of screen-based activities more frequently,” says Pavkovic. For example, 40 minutes per day, 5 days a week, instead of 2 hours per day, twice a week.

On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Screen Time > select your child's name from the drop-down > Turn on Screen Time. Make sure you create a Screen Time Passcode when asked. Don't skip this step. This passcode is what's used to prevent a child from disabling Screen Time or changing your parental control settings.

Step 1 – Go to “Settings” and tap “Screen Time”. Step 2 – Tap Continue, then choose “This is My [Device]” or “This is My Child's [Device].” If it's a shared device and you'd like to ensure settings are not changed then tap “Use Screen Time Passcode”. Then re-enter the passcode to confirm.

Yousuf said pediatricians generally recommend the following guidelines: Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.