How much screen time is too much for kids?

According to an eye-opening report from Common Sense Media, 98 percent of children age 8 and under live in a home with some type of mobile device. Even more stunning: 42 percent of those same kids have their own tablet (compared with just 7 percent four years earlier). The amount of time kids that age spend on screens has gone up too—from an average 1 hour and 55 minutes a day in 2013—to 2 hours and 19 minutes per day in 2017.

So, how much screen time is too much? And should it vary by age? Let’s dig in.

For every age, a screencap

We don’t let 6-year-olds drive cars, so why would we hand them the keys to an unfettered internet and tell them to go wild? The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests setting screen limitations based on age. For children 18 months and younger, it recommends no digital exposure beyond occasional video chats with faraway family, and those should always take place in the company of a parent or guardian.

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Children 18 to 24 months may be introduced to limited educational websites, apps, and programming, again in the presence of a parent or caregiver, while screen time for preschoolers ages 2 to 5 should be capped at one hour a day. That should also be dedicated to high-quality programming consumed in the company of an adult who can answer questions a kid may have about what they are seeing.

As a child grows, so do the demands of their schooling. Students may need to devote hours to researching papers on the internet or collaborating on group projects. Set a schedule that gives kids enough time to complete their school assignments but also allows them to have a little fun—tacking-on a half hour of video games or social media surfing once they finish their homework.

Designate screen-free zones

Telling kids not to text in a darkened movie theater or DM friends on the DL in English Lit isn’t enough. You must reinforce the idea of a “screen-free zone” by implementing consistent times and places when screen use is 100 percent off-limits. Meal time is a common no-go zone. It’s also good practice to ban screens from bedrooms or have kids wind down their digital use at least one hour before bedtime, as experts say those glowing blue screens can disrupt our circadian rhythms and natural release of melatonin. Instead of scrolling like a zombie (or killing them), encourage your child to read, journal, or meditate before dozing off.

Be mindful of your own screen use

The internet is a siren—always attempting to lure us in. While apps can help families monitor kids’ screen usage and send chiding warnings when they start to push it, another important way to teach healthy online behavior is to model it yourself. If dinner time is a screen-free zone, don’t try to sneak a peek at your work email under the table. If you want children to stay alert when they’re crossing the street, don’t be crushing candy in the middle of a crosswalk. And instead of scrolling on social media while your child whips around the playground, put your phone away and shout, “Tag, you’re it!” Kids learn by example and you’re the best one they’ve got—so set a good one.

Screen time is a privilege, not a right

Whatever limits you set, earning screen time should be incentivized. There are many ways to do this. For every chore that your child checks off their list—folding laundry, washing dishes, collecting trash—they could be awarded an extra 15-minute block of screen time. Or maybe they earn screen time for every ‘A’ they get on a test. Another idea: Link screen time to community service. For every hour they volunteer with a local nonprofit or help raise funds for a cause they believe in—they earn extra screen time for Fortnite or for TikToking.

Recognize the signs of screen addiction—and why it’s a problem

How much screen time is too much? Early data from a decade-long study by the National Institutes of Health shows that children who spend more than two hours a day on digital devices scored lower on cognitive tests. Kids who zoned out for upward of seven hours a day experienced a thinning of the cortex linked to critical thinking. Studies in pediatric journals have also linked excess screen time in preschoolers to a higher risk of obesity and delays in cognitive, linguistic, and emotional development. Bottom line: The more kids are immersed in the dopamine-triggering digital ether, the harder it is for them to engage in real-world activities like clubs, sports, and social functions.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of internet addiction in children, which may include a lack of sleep, sliding grades, tantrums thrown when told to turn off their devices, or health-related issues like eye strain and sore shoulders. If you suspect your child is turning into a digital zombie, set screen time limits—making a point to replace the time with other fun activities—riding bikes, going for a swim, playing laser tag, whatever. The point is to shut off the screen and get in the moment.

Regulating screen time from an early age gives kids the structure they need to balance IRL experiences with demanding digital lives. Monitor their online activity and give kids physical toys that spark their imagination or encourage deeper thinking. Inspire creative play with classmates or neighbors—and get them outside doing active things. This all lays the foundation for raising a well-rounded adult.