How Much Screen Time is OK for Toddlers?

Let’s talk about another one of the many “rules” of parenting that make the whole thing feel even more difficult to navigate. “Screen time” is a conversation that’s up there with acceptable sugar intake and the dummy debate.

For many of us, it’s often one of those rules we come up with before our little ones are born: “I won’t allow screen time”. That is until we realise that an iPad makes a great distraction while we’re trying to cook dinner or keep kids occupied on long car journeys.

Now your 3-year-old knows how to unlock your phone to select games to play and TV shows to watch. And, like many parents, you might be feeling anxious about whether you’re letting them indulge in too much screen time. 


Is screen time really that bad?Do you remember being told you’d get square eyes if you watched too much TV when you were growing up? It’s an old-school scare tactic that doesn’t make much sense, but we’ve carried a fear of screens with us. Today, if you have a pre-schooler who constantly wants to interact with technology, keeping them away can feel like an ongoing battle.

But is the blanket advice to reduce or even cut out screen time as relevant as the media would have us believe?

Research says it’s not the screen itself that’s the problem (no square eyes here). It’s the fact that children are sedentary while they’re watching the screens. There have been some links between high screen time and health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and sleeping problems.

According to UNICEF, excessive screen time could inhibit kids’ social skills, reduce empathy and hijack attention spans.

So are there any benefits of screen time? Potentially, yes.

Certain TV programmes and apps are designed to help toddlers with language development, shape and colour recognition, numeracy and literacy, and creativity. The use of screens can support hand-eye coordination, and you could engage in games and activities together, turning it into some fun family time.

How much screen time is recommended for kids?The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a maximum of one hour of screen time per day for children under three years of age. They say that “to grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more.”

So, the ideal limit isn’t necessarily there because screens are so dangerous, but to encourage children to stay active. It’s all about bringing back play for children, and WHO recommends children aged 3-4 should spend at least 3 hours a day in a variety of physical activities.

As well as keeping kids moving, they should be encouraged to play outside for fresh air and natural light. Staring at screens or being indoors for a long time could lead to the development of myopia (short-sightedness).


Tearing them away from the screen when times-upSo you’ve told your toddler it’s time to put the iPad away…cue tears and tantrums. His or her response might seem over the top, but screen time releases feel-good hormones. Even as adults, we don’t like when things are unexpectedly cut short. I don’t know about you, but I’d feel irritated if there was a power cut during my favourite Netflix show.

Try this: Give your child a 5-minute warning before turning off screens, and have an activity ready for afterwards, such as eating dinner, reading a book together or kicking a ball around the garden.

Remember that screen time is part of today’s world and it’s not all bad. Choose the limits you want to set so you can make sure technology fits into your family life in a way that works for you.


Blog written with inspiration from https://parentingplace.nz/.