Screen time for ages 4-12: a practical guide for parents

There is no single right answer to "How much screen time is too much?"; age, content and family routines all matter. Still, recommendations from expert organizations offer a good starting point.

What do the experts say?

• World Health Organization (2019): For children aged 2-4, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour a day; less is better.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: For ages 2-5, about 1 hour a day of high-quality content, ideally watched together with a parent; for ages 6 and up, consistent limits that don't take time away from sleep, physical activity and family time.

It's not only about minutes: what is watched or played, with whom and instead of what matter too.

Look at the quality of content

• Choose ad-free, open-ended games that don't rush the child.
• Check the age rating and privacy settings.
• Content where the child creates something or makes choices is more valuable than passive watching.

A family media plan

Setting rules together makes them easier to follow:

1. Screen-free zones: Keep the dinner table and the bedroom screen-free.
2. Screen-free times: Turn screens off at least an hour before bed.
3. Basics first: Sleep, homework, movement and outdoor play come before screens.
4. Time together: Play the game together a few times a week.
5. Lead by example: Children learn rules mostly from our behavior.

Technical tools

• Android: Daily limits and app approvals with Google Family Link.
• iPhone/iPad: App limits and downtime with Screen Time.
• Purchases: Keep the store's parental approval switched on.

Make transitions easier

Instead of switching the game off suddenly, giving a heads-up like "We're finishing in 5 minutes" helps children handle transitions more calmly. Games without rules, scores or timers make these transitions easier, because there is no unfinished "level" or reward to lose.

This article is for general information; please consult your pediatrician for questions specific to your child.