Growney
How much screen time do doctors recommend, and how to agree on it
“Just one more episode!” is a phrase heard in almost every household. Parents often wonder how many cartoons are okay, only to find a hundred conflicting answers online. Paediatricians, however, offer fairly clear guidelines—and they look at much more than just minutes on a clock.
The answer in one sentence
What the WHO recommends
In 2019, the World Health Organization published guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep for children under five. For infants under one year old, screen time is not recommended at all. For one-year-olds, the WHO also advises avoiding screen time completely. For children aged two to four, the limit is set at no more than one hour a day—and less is always better.
The guidelines also emphasize the broader picture: three- and four-year-olds need at least 180 minutes of physical activity throughout the day, and they should not be kept strapped into a pram or car seat for more than an hour at a time. The WHO focuses on a child’s whole day, not just the screens.
What American paediatricians advise
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers very similar advice. Before 18 months, screens are best avoided altogether, with video calls being the sole exception. If parents choose to introduce media to children aged 18 to 24 months, the recommendation is to select high-quality programming and watch it together. From two to five years, one hour a day is plenty—again, with an adult present to explain what is happening on screen.
For children aged six and older, the AAP no longer prescribes a rigid number of hours. Instead, they encourage parents to set consistent limits on time and media choices, ensuring that screens do not replace sleep, exercise, and other health essentials.
Why a call with Grandma isn’t the same as a cartoon
On the AAP’s parenting website, experts explain that young children learn best through real-time, hands-on interactions with the people around them. They need to touch objects, see facial expressions, and hear natural voices. That is why doctors view video calls with family differently from passive TV watching. Simply sit beside your child and help guide the conversation.
The AAP also stresses establishing screen-free times and zones. Agree on times when devices are put away, such as during family meals or car rides. Set boundaries for screen-free spaces too—starting with bedrooms. At night, TVs, computers, and smartphones should stay out of the child’s room.
How to agree on a plan at home
- Sit down together and make a list of what your child loves to watch or play. Starting with their interests feels much better than starting with bans.
- Map out a typical day together: sleep, nursery or school, meals, outdoor play. You will quickly see how little free time is actually left.
- Decide on screen-free zones and times. Mealtimes and bedrooms are great places to start for almost every family.
- Agree on a clear end signal. A sand timer or kitchen timer works far better than shouting “turn it off right now!”
- Plan what comes next. Switching off is much easier when there is an enjoyable activity waiting afterwards.
- Write down your rules and display them where everyone can see them. Sit down after a month to review how things are going.
The AAP offers a free interactive tool called the Family Media Plan, launched in 2016, which lets you create a personalized agreement for each child. If you ever have broader concerns about your child’s sleep, behaviour, or overall development, bring them up with your paediatrician.
Not just “how much”, but “what instead”
Recent AAP guidance highlights the “5 Cs” framework: Child (understanding your child’s temperament), Content (what they watch), Calm (checking if screens are being used as the only way to soothe emotions), Crowding out (seeing what activities screens are displacing), and Communication (talking openly about media). The fourth point is particularly insightful: paediatricians suggest asking not just “how many hours?”, but rather “is screen time replacing something truly important to our family?”
So the next time you hear “just one more episode!”, try responding with a gentle question: “And what were we planning to do right after this?”