Managing screen time for children: Effects, limits, and advice

Few parenting topics spark more debate – and guilt – than screen time. How much is too much? Are there benefits? How do you strike the right balance between overexposure and completely banning it? In this article, we explore the impact of screen time on children under five, offer recommendations for healthy limits, and share practical tips to create a balanced digital diet. 

From managing what your child watches to encouraging active screen time and setting boundaries, you’ll find actionable advice to help your child grow in a screen-filled world.

How is screen time affecting children? 

Screen time refers to any time spent using devices with screens. 

Whether it’s TVs, tablets, phones, or laptops, screens have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives – there’s no escaping them. Still, it’s important to be mindful of their impact on your child’s development.  

But, when young children are exposed to screens, their developing brains – particularly in areas responsible for attention, emotional regulation, and executive functioning – can find it hard to process it all. Let’s dive into the neuroscience of how screen time impacts your child’s developing brain.

Digital devices & growing brains

Have you ever wondered what’s happening inside your child’s brain when they watch TV or play on a tablet?

While screens might offer a few moments of quiet, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes in their developing brain. The rapid visuals, bright colours, and constant stimuli activate the brain’s reward pathways, releasing dopamine – the “feel-good” chemical. This can make screen activities highly engaging but also habit-forming, particularly for young children whose self-regulation skills are still developing.

In short, screen time is rewiring your child’s brain while it’s still developing, and that can lead to long-term consequences.

What is a healthy screen time for a child? 

Here are recommendations from reliable health organisations about how much screen time is suggested for different ages of children. 

World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations:

• Under 18 months: No screen time, except for video chatting with adult supervision.
• 18-24 months: Limited, high-quality content viewed together with a caregiver.
• 2-5 years: Up to 1 hour per day of high-quality, educational programming.
• 6 years and older: Consistent limits to ensure screen use does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or other healthy habits.

National Health Service (NHS) guidance:
While the NHS does not set specific time limits, they recommend:

• Incorporating screen-free days or a two-hour daily limit for screen use.
• Prioritising activities like physical play, reading, and family interaction to support healthy development.

Both the WHO and NHS stress that screen time should never replace critical activities like social interaction, physical play, and sleep.

Creating healthy screen habits for your child

Teaching moderation is a key milestone for young children, and screen time offers a great opportunity for parents to build healthy habits. Here are practical ways to avoid tech tantrums and manage screen time successfully:

How to minimise screen time

Aim for screen-free meal times

Mealtimes are a big opportunity for face-to-face interactions and social learning. Try to keep screens away from the table and encourage meaningful conversations instead.

Replace screens with books

Children under 5 thrive on live, immersive interactions with caregivers. Reading a book together, telling stories, or playing can be far more engaging and beneficial than screen time.

Encourage alternative activities

Offer fun, interactive options that are more exciting than screens:

• Outdoor play and physical activities.
• Hand-eye coordination activities
• Creative projects like drawing or colouring.
• Active toys that burn energy, such as ride-ons or building sets.
  

Choose screen-free background noise

Instead of leaving the TV on, try calming music, which research shows can reduce stress and improve focus by engaging brain areas linked to memory and attention.

Co-view with your child
When screens are used, make them purposeful. Watch age-appropriate content together and discuss it to encourage active engagement rather than passive consumption.

Be a role model
You are your child’s most important role model – both online and offline. Limiting your own screen time is going to set a positive example. Use this as an opportunity to show balance by choosing offline activities.

Protect bedtime
Screens before bed can suppress melatonin, making it harder for children to fall asleep. Avoid screens for at least one hour before bedtime to support healthy sleep routines.

Gradually reduce screen time
If your child’s screen time is currently high, make small reductions each week, like cutting 15 minutes per day, until you reach your goal. Slow changes will help avoid tantrums or pushback.

Remember: screens are not toys
Toys are meant to inspire active play and creativity, while screens are often passive. Choose activities that encourage movement, problem-solving, and imagination.

By implementing these strategies, you can gradually reduce screen time while offering healthier, more engaging alternatives. With consistency and creativity, it’s possible to help your child find a better balance.

Managing what your children watch and play 

Limiting screen time is a great first step, but what your child watches and plays is equally important. Not all content is safe or appropriate for young minds, especially with the vast amount of media and ads on the internet today.

Be aware of inappropriate content

One of the biggest challenges in managing screen time is ensuring your child only accesses age-appropriate content. With ads, pop-ups, and diverse media flooding screens, children can easily be exposed to unsuitable or unsafe material, including misleading information and graphic content. Without proper oversight, young viewers may encounter media that isn’t designed for their age group or understanding.

Parental controls

Parental controls are an essential tool for protecting your child online. Most devices, streaming platforms, and apps offer built-in settings to:

• Block inappropriate content based on age ratings.
• Set time limits to balance screen use.
• Monitor online activity for peace of mind.

Take a few minutes to explore these options and customise the technology to suit your child’s needs.

Create quality screen time

It’s not just about how much screen time your child gets; the quality of the content matters just as much. Quality screen time involves programmes, games, or apps that are age-appropriate, engaging, and designed to support healthy development.

Here’s how you can make screen time positive and enriching:

• Preview content: Watch shows or test games yourself to ensure they are appropriate and beneficial before your child engages with them.
• Use trusted resources: Websites like Common Sense Media, BBC Bitesize, and Childnet International offer detailed reviews, age recommendations, and guidance on safe, age-appropriate content.
• Choose developmental content: For younger children, trusted providers like CBeebies offer programmes such as Hey Duggee and Bluey. These shows promote:
  • Social skills like teamwork and sharing.
  • Emotional regulation by helping children understand and manage their feelings.
  • Early learning through engaging, fun, and relatable storytelling.
• Find support: Platforms like Safer Internet UK provide helpful tips and resources to ensure children stay safe while online.

By choosing high-quality, intentional content and using reliable tools to guide your decisions, you can transform screen time into an opportunity for learning, connection, and healthy development.

Explaining screen time limits to children

It’s not always easy to stick to screen time limits, especially when other children seem to have unlimited access. You might worry that your child will feel left out or disconnected if their friends have more screen time freedom.

When your child notices that their friends – or even other family members – have different screen habits, it can be hard for them to understand why your rules are different. Here’s how to explain it:

• Focus on your family’s values: “Every family does things their own way. Some families allow more screen time, and others don’t. In our family, we set limits because we believe it’s better for your health, sleep, and all the other fun things you get to do.”
• Acknowledge the challenge: “I know it feels unfair when your friends get to spend more time on screens. But these rules are about helping you grow up healthy, and everyone has different needs and routines.”
• Address family differences: “It’s true that not everyone in the family sticks to the same screen time limits. Grown-ups have different responsibilities, and sometimes their rules are different. But we make these limits for children because your brain and body are still growing.”
• Reframe the rules as support: “We set these limits to help you do more things you love, like playing outside, reading, or building with your toys. If you feel left out, let’s find something fun to do together instead of screen time.”

These conversations help children see that the rules are there to support their well-being, even if others don’t follow the same guidelines.

Using screens to your advantage 

Screen time isn’t all bad. When used thoughtfully, it can be a great tool for learning and growth. 

Instead of turning to screens when you need a break, tie their use to your child’s effort, teaching them that hard work leads to rewards. Additionally, you can encourage active screen time by choosing apps or programs that engage their thinking, creativity, or problem-solving skills, rather than passive viewing like endless scrolling or watching random videos. 

Protect and support your children in a screen-filled world 

From education to entertainment, screens are an integral part of our lives. While we can’t avoid them entirely, it’s essential to guide children toward a balanced digital diet. This article introduced practical tips for setting screen time boundaries and building healthy habits. By applying these strategies, you’re shielding your child from potential risks and teaching them how to engage with technology in a healthy, purposeful way.

For more tips on child development and well-being, visit our Family Hub to encourage your children’s growth and learning.