Screen time for kids & teens: limits that work

The AAP’s 5 C’s start with the child. Some kids get wound up or upset by certain shows or games, while others drift off happily. Notice how your child acts during and after screen time.

The AAP suggests watching for violence, poor role models, unrealistic beauty standards and heavy advertising. Choose content that teaches, sparks creativity or helps your child connect with others.

Kids need other ways to handle big feelings and fall asleep. If a tablet is the only thing that settles your child, it’s worth slowly adding other calming tools.

The Tantrums & meltdowns guide has ideas for lending your calm in hard moments.

Screen time becomes a problem when it pushes out sleep, outdoor play, homework, reading or family time. A plan for when and where screens are used helps protect those things.

Ask what your child likes about a game or video, and what they’ve seen that felt strange or upsetting. Regular, curious chats build trust and teach them to think about what they see.

Babies learn best from people. The AAP doesn’t recommend cartoons or nursery-rhyme videos at this age, and warns that background TV can crowd out talking and play.

Video calls with loved ones are the exception. They can help a baby build bonds with a grandparent or family member who lives far away.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says screen time is not recommended for babies under 1, or for sitting screen time at age 1.

WHO advises no more than 1 hour of sitting screen time a day for ages 2 to 4, and says less is better.

What helps

• Avoid open, all-day access to a tablet or phone
• Choose slow, high-quality shows, and make playlists so autoplay doesn’t choose for you
• Keep screens to set times, like one show after lunch or long car rides
• Talk about what they watched, and play out the story later
• Watch together when you can

In one study of 2,441 children, more screen time at ages 2 and 3 was linked to lower scores on development checks a year or two later. It shows a link, not proof of cause.

What the AAP suggests

• Check reviews before new shows or games
• Keep devices out of the bedroom at night
• Play games and watch shows together sometimes
• Tell them they can always come to you about anything upsetting online
• Use parental controls, knowing they aren’t 100% effective

Kids this age aren’t ready for social media accounts. If your child texts friends, check in on how those chats are going.

Most social media sites don’t allow accounts until age 13. The AAP encourages caregivers to help kids not lie about their age, and to talk about what might show up in their feeds.

Young teens are more likely to follow rules they helped make. They may also hide problems because they fear losing their phone, so respond calmly when they come to you.

Teens use screens for school, friends, hobbies and calm. In one survey, 69% of teens said smartphones make it easier to pursue hobbies and interests.

The AAP’s concerns for teens include compulsive use, harmful content, lost sleep and less time with family. Talk openly about these, and help them notice how their phone makes them feel.

The AAP suggests the dinner table, homework time and the time before bed as good screen-free zones. They help with connection, learning and sleep.

Its 2026 guidance says bedrooms and mealtimes are great places to start, especially the hour before bed.

The AAP suggests turning off devices that aren’t in use, and turning off autoplay and notifications that are built to keep kids watching longer.

A plan works better when there is something easy to do when screens go off. The AAP mentions reading, outdoor play, family games and hobbies.

Easy “instead” ideas

• A basket of books or comics
• Art supplies on a low shelf
• Building blocks or a puzzle
• Helping make a snack
• Outdoor time or a short walk

The AAP suggests reviewing the plan regularly, especially at the start of the school year and before summer or holiday breaks.

When adults charge their phones there too, it feels fair rather than like a punishment. The AAP suggests caregivers put their own phones down at bedtime as well.

Many teens worry about missing messages. An agreed “offline after” time that friends know about can take the pressure off.

A simple alarm clock lets the phone stay out of the bedroom.

When the next video starts by itself, there is never a good time to stop. Turning off autoplay gives you and your child a clear “that’s the end.”

The AAP suggests turning off notifications that are designed to keep kids engaged.

Controls on devices, consoles, routers and apps can set time limits and filter content and purchases. The AAP notes they aren’t 100% effective, so keep talking too.

The AAP suggests considering a shared family tablet instead of individual devices, and delaying personal tablets.

• “I know it’s hard to stop when it’s fun.”
• “You can finish this level, then it’s time.”
• “You’re mad it’s over. That makes sense. It’s still time to turn it off.”
• “Want to tell me about it while we make dinner?”
• “Tomorrow you can pick up right where you left off.”

• “You’re addicted to that thing.”
• “You’re so lazy, all you do is stare at a screen.”
• “If you don’t stop now, I’m throwing it away.”
• “Fine, five more minutes” (said for the fourth time).

Shaming words hurt and rarely change behavior. Repeated “five more minutes” teaches kids that pushing back works. Pick a limit you can calmly keep.

Young kids can’t really feel how long ten minutes is. A sand timer, a “last song” or an agreed number of episodes works better than a clock.

The guide Teaching kids about time has more on visual timers and warnings.

Ask, “When is a good place to stop in this game?” Some games can’t be paused mid-match, so knowing how long a round lasts helps you give a fair warning.

Teens push back hard on rules that feel random. Agree on limits together, explain why, and adjust if they show they can manage it.

• Do they come to you when something goes wrong?
• Do they follow agreements about time and places, most of the time?
• Do they need a phone to stay in touch or get around safely?
• How do they handle friendship drama right now?
• How honest are they about what they do online?

The AAP notes that kid-friendly messaging apps may be a workable option for younger kids who want to text friends.

You can add more freedom as your child shows they can handle it.

Accounts technically can’t be created until kids are 13. Encourage your child not to lie about their age, and talk about privacy, ads and influencers before they start.

• Apps and games you’ll decide on together
• Phone-free times, like meals and overnight
• What happens if they see something upsetting
• When you’ll check in, and how privacy will grow over time
• Where it charges at night

Looking up and smiling when your child walks in tells them they matter. Small moments add up.

“I’m checking the bus time” or “I’m replying to Grandma” helps kids see phones as tools, not endless scrolling.

The AAP says a family media plan should include parents and caregivers, since adults model healthy digital habits.

Explain differences openly: “When you’re 12, you’ll get later screen time too.” Give older kids private screen time after younger siblings are in bed, so content stays age-appropriate.

Kids who struggle with focus, time or change may hyperfocus on screens and find stopping very hard. Extra warnings, visual timers and a predictable “what comes next” can help a lot.

If you can, agree on a few basics, like bedtime devices and age-appropriate content. Where rules differ, tell kids calmly: “At this house, we do it this way.”

A short, friendly note about the family plan helps babysitters, grandparents and other carers. Keep it simple and focus on the few rules that matter most to you.

One adult may be stricter than the other. Talk away from the kids, find a few rules you both can support, and back each other up.

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Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for yourself or if you’re worried about your child.

A free, 24/7 text line with trained crisis counselors. Many teens find texting easier than talking.

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