📱 Screen Time Guideline Reference
A general reference of commonly cited screen time guidelines by age group, based on widely published pediatric recommendations. Informational only — every family's needs differ.
Where these numbers come from
The entries summarise two published sets: the American Academy of Pediatrics media policy of 2016, and the World Health Organization's 2019 guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under five. They agree closely on the youngest ages and part company after that.
| Age | AAP | WHO |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | Avoid, apart from video chat | No screen time |
| 1 to 2 | Avoid to 18-24 months, then co-view | Not recommended at 1; up to 1 hour at 2 |
| 2 to 5 | About 1 hour a day, high quality | No more than 1 hour, less is better |
| 6 and over | Consistent family limits, no set number | Not covered |
What the guidance is and is not
These are expert consensus positions, not thresholds measured from evidence. Most of the underlying research is observational, so it can show that heavy use travels with poorer sleep or attention without establishing that an hour is safe and seventy minutes is not.
That is why the AAP dropped its old two-hour rule for school-age children in 2016 and replaced it with a family media plan. The questions it asks are what the screen displaces - the recommendation is 8 to 12 hours of sleep and an hour of activity a day - what the content is, and whether an adult is watching too.
Frequently asked questions
How much screen time should a 2-year-old have?
Both the AAP and WHO put it at no more than about an hour a day of high-quality programming, and both prefer it watched alongside an adult who talks about what is on.
Does video chat count as screen time?
No. Both sets of guidance carve out video calls with family even for babies, because the exchange is live and two-way rather than passive viewing.
Is there a daily limit for teenagers?
No published number. Guidance for older children shifted to consistent limits set by the family, screen-free times such as meals and the hour before bed, and attention to what is being watched.