Screen time for kids


As young children grow and develop, they need more time in active play, less time sitting and enough sleep  each day to be healthy. Time away from screens is time they can be active and build social skills.


After all, our bodies aren’t designed to sit for long periods – we need to move to stay healthy.


Small changes in screen time habits can benefit a child’s physical, social, psychological and cognitive development. Plus, making changes together can help the whole family have healthier screen use, including parents.

What is screen time?

Screen time is spending time in front of a: 


    • computer
    • game
    • mobile or smart phone
    • tablet or iPad
    • TV.

How much screen time is too much?

For healthy development, the Australian government guidelines recommend:


  • babies and toddlers under 2 have no screen time
  • pre-schoolers aged 2 to 5 have no more than 1 hour per day
  • children aged 5 to 17 have no more than 2 hours per day (not counting school activities).

Why is too much screen time a problem?

Research from CoLAb shows that too much screen time can affect children’s health and development in many ways.

Social, emotional and cognitive

  • Difficulty with social skills and relationship building, for example between children and their parents
  • Reduced motivation and self-esteem
  • Cognitive development – screens can distract children from exploration and play
  • Exposure to inappropriate content can impact future behaviour

Physical

  • Disrupted sleep due to exposure to blue light (learn more about the effects of screens on sleep)
  • Language delays and reduced verbal interactions
  • Not getting enough physical activity which can lead to obesity
  • Problems with eyesight development as a result of a lack of sunlight
  • More likely to snack on unhealthy foods and not eat enough fruit and veggies

Tips to help reduce screen time for the whole family

Establishing positive routines and habits early can make it easier to manage your family’s screen time in the long run. Here are some ideas to get you started.


  • Establish rules and routines

    Start by encouraging no screens at meal times or in the bedroom. Help to reinforce the rules by eating together as a family without screens and restricting screens before bed.

  • Break up and limit screen time

    Try setting a timer for 20-30 minutes (give a 5 minute warning before time is up).


  • Work towards screen-free days

    Start by replacing just half an hour of screen time with activities you can do as a family. You could even come up with a reward system for spending less time on screens as a positive incentive to reduce screen time.

  • Break the habit out of the home

    When going out, consider taking toys and books instead of screens. 

  • Be a role model

    Demonstrating positive habits yourself can incluence the whole family's relationship to screens.

Activities to replace screen time

While screens can be useful for learning and entertainment, they can’t replace the health benefits of being active, like developing social skills and improving sleep. Consider balancing screen time with other activities your family enjoys that promote health and develop new skills, such as:


Find more handy tips to sit less and move more in the video below.


 
 

Healthy screen use for adults

Finding your own balanced and positive ways to use screens can also set good examples for children. Here are some ideas for balancing out your screen time during the day.


  • Relaxation and entertainment – mix it up and make sure screen time is just one of the ways you relax (not the only way)
  • Sitting at the desk – take regular breaks to stand up, get some water or take a short walk
  • Communication and social media – Set aside some phone-free time each day, so you can be ‘in the moment’ with your family. If it’s not urgent, hold off responding to messages if you’re in the middle of listening or talking to someone.

Tip: If you want to check how much time you’re spending on your screen, you can monitor your usage in the settings, or consider a timer or app to help reduce your screen time. Learn more about managing adult screen time.


Learn more about healthy screen use for all ages at raisingchildren.net.