Thirty years ago, American families gathered around a single television set. Today, each family member often has access to multiple screens—laptops, smartphones, tablets and video games.

This access comes with benefits. For instance, distant grandparents cherish the ability to see their grandchildren on FaceTime or Skype. However, it also raises concerns among parents and child health professionals about the impact of excessive screen time on children. It's not just the sheer number of screens that's worrisome; it's the potential effects on developing brains.

“Screen time can be engaging for people of all ages,” explains counselor Edward Luker, LPC, of theMayo Clinic Health System (MCHS). “Our brains process this sensory input as if it were happening to us. Many people have laughed, cried or been startled while watching a movie, which illustrates this strong engagement.”

How Much Screen Time Do Children Get?

According to theAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), children spend a significant amount of time in front of screens. For kids aged 8 to 12, daily screen time averages between four and six hours, while teenagers can spend as much as nine hours each day.

Researchers are particularly concerned about the screen time of younger children. A2020 study used unobtrusive sampling methods to assess how much time children aged 3 to 5 spent on phones. The findings revealed that those with their own devices averaged 115.3 minutes of daily usage, which is just under two hours.

“Children’s use of mobile and interactive media has increased rapidly over the past decade,” the study team noted. “Infants are estimated to start handling mobile devices during their first year of life.”

Moreover, the AACAP highlights that “parents may not always know what their children are viewing.” This can expose kids to disturbing content, including depictions of violence, risky stunts, sexual situations and substance abuse.

The Benefits of Controlling Your Child’s Screen Time

Screens are here to stay in everyone’s lives, including the lives of our kids. But there are advantages to controlling the time your children spend interacting with these devices.

1. Less Exposure to Advertising: Reducing screen time limits children's exposure to persuasive ads, particularly those promoting unhealthy behaviors like junk food consumption.Kids “may be able to recognize advertising but often are not able to resist it when it is embedded within trusted social networks, encouraged by celebrity influencers or delivered next to personalized content,” says theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
2. Reduced Obesity Risk: Less screen time can decrease mindless eating habits and promote healthier eating patterns, helping to prevent obesity. “Snacking or eating meals in front of the TV can cause mindless eating, causing you to eat larger portions,” says the MCHS’s Mysoon Ayuob, MD, a family medicine specialist. “When you eliminate distractions, you pay more attention to your body and its signals when it's full.”
3. Better Sleep: Limiting screens can improve sleep quality. Exposure to blue light inhibits melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall asleep.
4. Enhanced Child Development: Excessive screen time may hinder critical thinking and creativity. A National Institutes of Health (NIH)study found that kids who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests. In addition, Ayoub notes, “Children who spend more time looking at a screen are more likely to have behavioral problems and divided attention.” On the other hand, engaging in traditional play fosters imagination and social skills. 
5. More Time for Social Development: Reducing screen time allows children to interact more with peers, enhancing their ability to recognize emotions and improve communication skills. “One study found that a group of children who went without electronic devices for five days were better at recognizing facial emotions and reading nonverbal cues than children who lived life as usual,” says Jennifer Cross, MD, ofNewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital. “It’s that back-and-forth, sharing facial expressions and reacting to the other person, that improves language and communication skills in young children.”
6. Reduced Risk of Addiction: Limiting screen usage can help prevent addictive behaviors associated with excessive gaming or device use, which can lead to attention and emotional regulation issues. Gaming can be especially problematic. The MCHS’s Luker says, ““Excessive video game use can lead to the brain being revved up in a constant state of hyperarousal. Over time, the person develops a strong drive to seek out that same pleasure again and again.”

How Much Screen Time Should Your Child Be Allowed?

AACAP recommends following these screen-time guidelines: 

• Up to 18 months: Limit to video chatting with an adult
• 18 to 24 months: Limit to watching educational programming with a caregiver
• 2 to 5 years: Limit non-educational screen time to 1 hour on weekdays and 3 hours on weekend days
• Ages 6 and older: Encourage healthy habits and limit activities that include screens 

Ways to Control Your Children’s Screen Time

Here are some effective strategies for managing your children’s screen time and fostering healthier habits.

1. Model Healthy Behavior: Be mindful of your own screen usage. “Kids will do what they see their parents doing,” says Cross. “If they see that you’re behind a screen all day every day, then they’ll see that it’s acceptable and will want to do the same.” Demonstrate balanced screen habits by engaging in offline activities, like family walks or board games.
2. Limit Screen Usage as a Distraction: Avoid using screens as a quick fix for your child's boredom or discomfort—it won’t teach your little one how to handle difficult feelings.. Encourage them to develop problem-solving skills instead. If you absolutely need to concentrate on what you’re doing, opt for educational shows rather than handheld devices.
3. Watch Together: Engage with younger children while they watch programs. This enhances their learning and understanding. Discuss the content, ask questions and connect it to real-life situations to reinforce concepts.
4. Set Clear Screen Rules for Older Kids:
• No screens during meals or one hour before bedtime.
• Designate a central charging station outside of bedrooms.
• Don’t eat meals in front of the TV.
• Plan viewing time to avoid mindless channel surfing.
• Decide on when your child is ready for a personal device depending on their maturity and habits.
• Use parental controls and choose age-appropriate media together. (Nonprofit groups such asCommon Sense Media provide age-appropriate media reviews.)
• Learn about thegame rating categories and only allow your children to play video games suitable for their ages.
5. Teach Media Literacy: Help children become savvy consumers of media. Discuss the content they see, including advertisements, and explain the techniques used to entice viewers. Encourage critical thinking about online information.
6. Discuss Online Privacy: Teach your kids about their digital footprint and the importance of privacy settings. Explain “that every place they go on the Internet may be ‘remembered,’ and comments they make will stay there indefinitely,” says the AAP. “They should not take actions online that they would not want to be on the record for a very long time.”
7. Supervise Social Media Use: Consider monitoring your children’s social media activity by being friends with them online. Preteens should generally avoid having their own accounts. (Gohere to learn more about children and social media.)
8. Encourage Active Content: Opt for interactive and physically engaging games or apps, which promote active participation rather than passive consumption.
9. Explore App Controls: Use apps that manage screen time and track usage to establish healthy limits.

By implementing these strategies, you can help your children cultivate a healthier relationship with screens while promoting their overall well-being.