How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?

As a parent, raising a child in a time of such saturated levels of technology in the world can feel daunting. Some people you know don’t allow screen time for their kids at all, some people allow them to be on their little tablets and phones for hours each day. So how can you decide how much screen time is too much for your child? Psychologists and other researchers have been looking into this topic and its effects on child development, both positive and negative, for many years now. In short, there are various effects on a child’s learning capabilities, motivation, intelligence, etc. past just the screens presented in front of them. But, we will dive into how much those screens play a role and how you can set boundaries with your children. 

As technology continues to rapidly grow, organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) have put forth efforts to introduce recommended guidelines for screen time. The WHO has said no screen time before the age of 18 to 24 months, other than video chat with family members or friends (accompanied by an adult). The AAP has recommended no screen time before the age of 2, and limited between 2 to 5. These recommendations are great to follow as a parent, because although it is hard for psychologists to gather a lot of scientific evidence on these types of recommendations, they are still made in an effort to benefit children. 

Screen time, of course, also encompasses a broad range of resources and activities; for example, while one child plays educational mathematics games, another could be playing Grand Theft Auto. So, what your child is actually consuming on a daily basis can correlate to their mental health and learning. Research does show that as a baby and toddler, your child will not benefit from “educational” online tools such as Baby Einstein for their learning. At this time in their lives, between newborn to 2 years old, their learning development is coming from active play, listening to their parents and siblings, mimicking actions, and exploring their curiosity. Before the age of 3, toddlers cannot view videos as relevant to real life situations, so they cannot truly learn through screen time. So, just as the WHO and AAP says, it may be beneficial to you and your child to limit screen time to almost none before the age of 2. Research backs up that by the time children are 3 to 5 years old, they can benefit from watching slow-moving, thoughtfully drawn out educational series such as “Sesame Street.” 

It may also feel impossible to you as a parent to completely limit screen time to zero. You have things you need to get done around the house, you are exhausted and need a break yourself, bad weather makes it impossible to go outside, etc. It is okay to take a break, because that can lead you to being a more present and productive parent. As kids grow up, they will tend to be exposed to more screens and devices whether that be at home or school. So, how can you monitor this as a parent? Children will follow through habits of when they were younger. If you allow screen time for educational purposes and some leisurely time, they will continue to use that as it becomes their new normal. Of course, by the end of middle school to high school this can become a lot more tricky. It can be beneficial to have talks with your children about why exposure to media can harm their mental health, and encourage them to take time outdoors, engage in various activities and events, and find other hobbies past their phones, ipads or computers. 


In all, there is no perfect answer on how much screen time is too much. But as a parent, you can gauge, with the help of other guidelines, what is best for both you and your child's mental, physical and educational health. At Arcadian Therapy, we can offer support and guidance to you on issues like screen time and technology. Call us to schedule an appointment and consultation at (615) 436-0921.

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