“How much screen time is okay for kids?” It’s a question many parents (and grandparents, childcare providers, and others) have begun to ask in recent years. Dr. Allen Barton, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has written the following article addressing this question.
The Brief Answer
Let’s start with the brief and direct answer. At the time of this being published, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- No screen time at all for children from newborn until 18 to 24 months (except for video chatting),
- 1 hour or less of screen time per day for children 2 to 5 years of age, and
- Developing a Family Media Plan is designed to help put limits on screen usage, have media use discussions as a family, and consider media use and broader aspects of a balanced life, including sleep and physical activity.
This Family Media Plan is designed to put limits on screen usage, help you discuss media use as a family, and also consider aspects such as sleep and physical activity to create a balanced life.
The Long Answer
So, there are the current specific recommendations. But this question of how much screen time is okay for kids is about more than just numbers. For that, let’s consider a second way to answer this question. In doing so, here are five observations.
1. There’s still a lot we don’t know
Even within the research community, there remain differences of opinion about the benefits and harms of screen time for children. But one point of agreement from individuals on both sides is how much still isn’t known. The technological changes that have occurred in the last two decades are unprecedented in human history. Corresponding longitudinal research investigating these changes and their effect on the development of children and families, however, is still in the very early stages.
2. Not all screen time is the same
This may seem obvious, but this fact – that not all screen time is the same – has some important implications. As a parent (or other caring adult), do you know how “screen time” is being spent – what videos your child is watching, what sites your child is visiting, and what online conversations your child is having (and with whom)…both within the home and outside of it? And are there open lines of communication such that your child will share this information with you? This does not imply being a police officer to your child, but children need a parent’s nurturing and guidance. Children will have to manage their own digital life one day. We want to set them up with the ability to do this effectively.
3. Not all kids are the same
Technology affects children in different ways. Here’s a clear example – prolonged time on social media (specifically Instagram) appears to be particularly harmful for teenage girls and their mental health. Think about your child. In what ways is your child susceptible to negative influences of technology…and what can be done in response? Your child is unique in many wonderful ways, but that also includes unique tendencies (e.g., being aggressive, distracted, sedentary, or withdrawn) that can be negatively influenced depending on how screen time is spent.
4. Time spent watching screens replaces time spent in other ways
Researchers who study development and learning commonly discuss the importance of active (versus passive) learning. Suffice to say, a lot of screen time involves passive learning or passive entertainment. In the process of incorporating more and more screen time into daily life (and thereby more passive learning), what opportunities and experiences have been replaced or lost? Are there times and spaces to actively learn – to create, play, think, explore, build, pretend, and engage in a host of other activities that have characterized childhood throughout history? Have any things or experiences you want for your child been unintentionally lost or replaced that you would like to bring back?
5. Supportive parenting matters, a lot
This point, although not directly about screen time, is worth emphasizing. There is a lot we don’t know about child development, but one finding is clear across cultures, time, education, and pretty much every other factor – having a supportive parent or caregiver is powerful! And for youth encountering adversity or hardship, supportive parenting helps to make children more resilient. So, regardless of how much (or how little) screen time your child has, make sure you are spending quality and quantity time with your child, demonstrating through words and actions your unwavering love and support for them, their ideas, their activities and hobbies, and who they are becoming.
To find this article as a tip sheet and many more articles about this topic, visit our Smartphones, Smart Families website.
Author: Dr. Allen Barton, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. go.illinois.edu/smartfamilies