Screens and electronic devices have become heavily integrated into our everyday life. Devices such as tablets, phones, televisions, gaming systems, and computers are often used by children and adults daily for entertainment, work, or learning. The use of these devices often leaves parents to wonder: How much screen time is too much? Recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) focus less on a strict time limit and more on quality, context, and connection.

Guidance regarding screen use in children has shifted from “how much” screens are used toward “how” the devices are utilized. Parents are advised to focus on the content and quality of what children are watching. Education or interactive content can support learning, but passive media can cause changes in mood, learning, or development. The updated recommendations place heavy emphasis on the importance of shared experiences: watching or playing with kids while they use devices can help kids process or learn from the programming. 

Although screens have become a big part of our lives, it is still necessary for parents to focus on offline or off-screen play time. Protecting a child’s sleep, creating a balanced routine, supporting learning, and emphasizing real-life experiences can help facilitate a healthy environment in our digital world. If you are looking for a place to start, you may begin by setting a goal to stay under 2 hours of recreational screen use at home, or by setting up a goal with the AAP Family Media Plan. At the end of the day, the goal is to build healthy digital habits and protect your family’s well-being.