How much screen time is too much for children?

In today’s digital age, screens are everywhere — from televisions and tablets to smartphones and laptops. While technology opens doors to learning and entertainment, it also raises an important question for parents and educators alike: how much screen time is too much for children? – Finding the Right balance.

The Digital Generation

Children today are growing up in a world where technology is part of daily life. Educational apps, online classes, and interactive games can stimulate curiosity and creativity. However, unlike past generations, this exposure begins early — often before a child can even walk or talk.

According to the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), children aged 2 to 5 years should have no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day, while older kids should have consistent limits that ensure screens don’t replace essential activities like sleep, play, and family interaction. This doesn’t mean that we recommend one hour of screens per day for your child. The lesser the better.

Excessive screen time can harm a child’s development - such as cognition, emotional skills development, and physical health implications.

1. Learning and Development
   Moderate, well-curated screen time can enhance learning. Educational programs or interactive apps can improve language and problem-solving skills. But when screen time is excessive or passive — such as mindless scrolling or watching random videos — it can hinder attention span and critical thinking.

2. Emotional Health
   Social media and online gaming can foster connection but may also lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, or fear of missing out (FOMO), especially in older children. Exposure to unrealistic images or negative online interactions can shape how kids view themselves and others.

3. Sleep Disruption
   Blue light emitted from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. Late-night screen use often leads to delayed bedtimes and poor sleep quality, which can affect mood, behaviour, and academic performance.

4. Physical Health Implications

   Extended screen time often means less physical activity. This sedentary behaviour has been linked to:

• Increased risk of obesity

• Poor posture and eye strain

• Weaker motor skills in younger children who spend less time playing outdoors

  Encouraging “tech breaks” and outdoor play helps balance screen use with physical wellness.

How Parents Can Set Healthy Boundaries

Here are a few practical strategies:

1. Be a role model. Children mimic adult behaviour — if you prioritise device-free meals and downtime, they’re more likely to do the same.

2. Create “screen-free” zones. Keep screens out of bedrooms and dining areas.

3. Use technology together. Co-viewing and discussing content help kids understand and learn from what they see.

4. Encourage other activities. Sports, arts, and reading nurture creativity and social skills.

5. Set clear limits. Use parental control tools and consistent schedules to manage daily screen exposure. 

The Bottom Line

Screens aren’t inherently bad - they’re a powerful tool when used thoughtfully. The key is balance. By combining mindful digital use with real-world experiences, parents can help children grow up tech-savvy, healthy, and emotionally resilient.

Screen time should enhance, not replace, real-life learning and relationships.

By,

Anne Maria A (Sr Speech Language Pathologist)

&

Chitra Thadathil (Lead Speech Language Pathologist)

REFERENCES

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Media and young minds. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Media use in school-aged children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162592. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2592

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2020, March). Screen time and children. Facts for Families, No. 54. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx

Canadian Paediatric Society, Digital Health Task Force. (2017). Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Paediatrics & Child Health, 22(8), 461–468. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxx123

Cliff, D. P., McNeill, J., Vella, S. A., Howard, S. J., Santos, R., Batterham, M., Melhuish, E., Okely, A. D., & de Rosnay, M. (2017). Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years and associations with social-cognitive development among Australian preschool children. BMC Public Health, 17(Suppl 5), 857. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4858-7

Madigan, S., McArthur, B. A., Anhorn, C., Eirich, R., & Christakis, D. A. (2020). Associations between screen use and child language skills: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(7), 665–675. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0327

World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550536