Phones, tablets and TV are everywhere, and many parents use them to get through a meal or a busy hour. The goal is not guilt. It is to understand what young children need and to make small changes that stick.
What the WHO recommends
- Under 1 year: screen time is not recommended.
- 1 year: sedentary screen time is not recommended.
- 2 to 4 years: no more than 1 hour a day. Less is better.
Video calls with family members are different from watching videos. They involve real back-and-forth conversation.
Why it matters
Young children learn language and social skills mainly through face-to-face interaction and hands-on play. Time on screens often replaces that interaction, and screens close to bedtime can make sleep harder.
Practical ways to cut back
- Start with meals and bedtime. Make mealtimes and the hour before sleep screen-free. These two changes alone reduce a lot of screen time.
- Watch together when you do watch. Talk about what you see. It turns screen time into shared time.
- Keep screens out of sight. A phone on the table invites requests. Charging it in another room helps.
- Offer a simple alternative. A basket of pots, blocks, crayons or a ball is often enough. Children do not need expensive toys.
- Agree rules with all caregivers. If grandparents or a helper use the phone to calm the child, the habit will continue. Share the plan kindly.
- Expect protest at first. Stay calm and consistent. Most children adjust within a week or two.
Look at your own screen use too
Children notice when adults are absorbed in phones. Short, device-free moments of full attention, such as the first ten minutes after coming home, can mean a lot to a young child.
Sources and further reading
- WHO — Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 (2019)
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Media and young minds (2016)