Skip to main content

Are your kids watching TV too much? The screen time guide every parent needs

Everything you need to know about screen time and your kids

Two siblings lying on the floor watching tv together.
nazar_ab / iStock

By now, every parent has gotten the message that the time their kids are watching TV should be limited. Parents are inundated with messaging around screen time and how much is too much, but the reality is that kids watching TV can often give parents a much-needed break. Whether it’s to get a meal ready, throw in a load of laundry, or simply enjoy a few minutes without a child asking you for something, letting your kids watch TV feels like an easy and harmless way to keep them occupied, but what amount is okay and how much is too much?

Watching TV can impact children in a few ways, and it all depends on multiple factors. For instance, are you spending time with them while they watch? How many hours per day do they spend glued to the tube? What shows do they watch? We’ve collected the important information so you can make the best decision about your child’s television intake.

A young child watching tv.
Tatiana Diuvbanova / Shutterstock

What age is too young for kids to watch TV?

According to pediatrician Dr. David Hill, MD, FAAP, “it takes around 18 months for a baby’s brain to develop to the point where the symbols on a screen come to represent their equivalents in the real world.” So, it’s important that babies get real-life social interaction, and not stare at screens all day.

But what’s the harm of them watching TV if it doesn’t mean anything to them? What if they just like the colors? Dr. Hill says, “Good evidence suggests that screen viewing before age 18 months has lasting negative effects on children’s language development, reading skills, and short-term memory. It also contributes to problems with sleep and attention.” He says even having the TV on in the background delays language development because parents talk and interact with a child less when the TV is on.

A couple of siblings watching tv together.
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock

How does watching TV affect a child’s development?

Watching TV may seem harmless, but research has linked it to potential negative side effects in a child’s development.

An hour here and there of screen time isn’t going to give your child all of these issues. It depends on how many hours and over what period of time a day or week they spend watching. Other factors in your child’s life like exercise, other screen time, outdoor time, social time, and other parenting choices play a part as well.

It’s best to watch shows together

We know that “co-viewing,” or watching together, mitigates these negative effects. If you watch TV with your child, spend time together, and ask questions about what they see, you engage a different part of their brain than when they zone out watching a show alone. You can also monitor what’s on the TV to avoid any inappropriate shows being watched.

Choose high-quality, educational shows for kids to watch. After the age of 2, children begin to learn from well-designed television shows. Remember – TV watching counts as TV watching whether it’s on a TV, phone, laptop, or tablet.

A child watching tv while lying on the floor.
Michael Blann / Getty Images

TV time limits – what amount is too much at what age

How much TV should a toddler watch per day?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1 hour or less of screen time for children ages 2 to 5 years old. They recommend none at all for children under 2 years old except for things like video chats with family. The World Health Organization gives the same recommendations.

How much TV should a child watch per day?

Above age 5, the official guidelines only say to use your best judgment and to “limit” screen time. Most American children spend about 3 hours per day in front of the bright light. The recommended cap of 1 hour goes away at age 5, but that doesn’t mean time should be unlimited.

You know your child’s lifestyle best. If your kiddo spends the day at school, sits down for dinner, plays sports, reads, has homework – and then wants to watch some TV – let them. By that point, it probably doesn’t matter, and bedtime is right around the corner. In other words, ensure your child’s day is balanced.

Kids watching TV: Best to limit it

Parenting isn’t easy, and the TV is a helper that makes it feel like you have an extra set of hands. But try to find alternatives as much as you can to keep your child entertained. The earlier children are exposed to TV, the more negative outcomes may come from it.

Good old-fashioned toys, some alone time, going to the park, a walk, or a visit with Grandma are all awesome alternatives. Even though it may be tougher and require more energy, make space in the day for non-screen time ideas. The habits kids build at a young age will stick with them for life. Teaching them to zone out with a screen could lead to that being their go-to coping mechanism in the future.

Child playing video game sitting in between parents on phones
Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels

Be an example

One of the best ways to encourage your kids to limit their screen time and find other things to do is for parents to do the same. Kids learn a lot of their behaviors from their parents, which is why it’s important to set an example for your kids from when they’re young with regard to screen time.

Make it a point to turn the TV off and put the phones away during mealtimes, and ensure you’re spending time together. Also, try to turn all the screens off for at least an hour before bedtime, for your children and yourself, and spend that time together. Not only will this help you limit how long you’ll see your kids watching TV, but you’ll also curb your own screen time as well.

Try to balance between going easy on yourself and letting the TV take over with pushing yourself to avoid TV time as much as you can. When you need to put your tot in front of a screen, at least check that the show is more The Octonauts and less The Simpsons.

Editors' Recommendations

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
7 of the best fast-food items for kids you can feel good about grabbing
Make healthier choices at the drive-thru with these foods
A toddler reaching into a bag of fast food in the car

Let’s face it, fast food isn’t usually synonymous with healthy eating. Grabbing a Happy Meal for a hungry toddler isn’t something most parents like to do often, but sometimes it's necessary. On those race-against-the-clock days when you’re juggling errands, doctor's appointments, and the sacred nap schedule, you may not have the luxury of preparing a meal for your baby at home.

Fortunately, most fast-food restaurants have expanded their menus to include more options than just the standard burgers, fries, sugary sodas, and deep-fried fare that have given them a bad name. Whether you’re on a road trip or just in the middle of a busy afternoon, it is possible to keep your pint-sized passengers satisfied with a quick and affordable drive-thru meal. We've compiled some of the best fast-food options for kids to help you when you're looking for healthier options.

Read more
Experts explain why kids watching YouTube isn’t a good idea
You'll want to rethink screen time after you know what experts say about kids watching YouTube
Young boy on an iPad.

You have things to get done around the house. But a small person who says they're bored is keeping you from making progress on your to-do list. And so, you do what many parents do in this stretched-thin situation: You turn on the television, hand over a cellphone, or put on YouTube. (Hey, no judgment; we have all been there, done that!) But is letting kids watch YouTube doing more harm than good?

Screens can be "addictive," as noted by Dr. David Greenfield, founder and clinical director of The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction. He explains that they have a dopamine-producing effect, and many realistic pediatric experts agree that, while screens are a part of our modern lifestyle, moderation should be enforced and limitations be set. Parents need to learn why they should be mindful of children watching YouTube and how to lay down the screen time law at home. We'll share some tips and words of wisdom from experts in the know.

Read more
How much screen time is too much for teenagers? You might be surprised
When to worry about your teen's screen time
Teenagers on screens

How much time your kids spend in front of a screen has always been a hot-button topic for parents. Parents find themselves questioning how much is too much, how young is too young for screen time, and whether there should there be limits on screen time. Although this is something parents can monitor when their kids are younger, by the time kids become teenagers parents often feel a lot less in control of screen time. Add in a worldwide health pandemic that literally forced kids to learn and socialize online and it can all be very confusing when it comes to regulating screen time.
So how much time is too much screen time for teens? Parents may be surprised to learn just how much time the average teen is spending in front of a screen. There are ways to help manage teen screen time without making them feel like they're being punished, especially if you sit them down and explain some of the effects screen time has on their productivity and development.

Average screen time for teens
According to a study conducted by Jama Pediatrics, teens are spending on average almost 8 hours in front of a screen every day. This isn't taking into account online learning either but instead includes time gaming, texting, scrolling through social media feeds, video chatting, browsing the internet, and watching or streaming movies, videos, or television shows. It's not totally surprising given how much teens turned online during the pandemic to remain somewhat connected to their peers through their screens, but it can still be a worrying number.

Read more