In today’s world, screen time is a significant part of life for everyone, including children and adolescents. From TVs to tablets, smartphones, and computers, screens offer education, entertainment, and social interaction. However, with increased use, concerns arise about how much screen time is too much, especially for young children. As parents and caregivers, understanding screen time and following Australian guidelines can be helpful for creating a balanced environment and for promoting healthy development in kids.
What is Screen Time?
Screen time refers to the time spent on any device with a screen, including:
Television
Tablets/iPads
Smartphones
Computers
Gaming consoles
When I think about screen time, I think of it in a few different ways:
Educational screen time – watching educational programs, using learning apps, or doing research for schoolwork.
Recreational screen time – watching videos, playing games, or using social media.
Passive screen time – when the child is not actively engaging with the content, such as having a TV on in the background.
What Screen Time Excludes
It’s important to differentiate between passive and interactive use. Activities that involve learning or interacting with the screen content, like educational apps or video calls with family, are generally considered more positive. Screen time cannot be compared to face-to-face interactions or physical play, which are essential for young children’s development.
Australian Guidelines for Screen Time
The Australian Government provides screen time recommendations to help parents manage the healthy use of screens at different stages of childhood.
For Children Under 2 Years Old:
No screen time is recommended except for video chatting with family. The early years are critical for brain development, and young children benefit most from interactions with people and their environment, not screens.
For Children Aged 2 to 5 Years:
Less than 1 hour per day of high-quality screen time is recommended. At this stage, screen time should be balanced with plenty of physical play, creative activities, and social interaction.
For Children Aged 5 to 12 Years:
No more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time, excluding educational use. It’s important for children to have a mix of active play, socializing, and screen use for learning.
For Adolescents Aged 13 to 17 Years:
No more than 2 hours per day of recreational screen time, similar to younger children, although schoolwork may require more screen use. Encouraging teens to balance screen use with physical activity and social interaction remains crucial.
How to Use Screen Time Effectively for Young Children
Screen time can be a helpful tool, but it must be used thoughtfully, especially for younger children.
Our top tips for using screen time:
Interactive learning: Choose high-quality content that engages children in active learning, like interactive games or educational shows.
Co-viewing and engagement: Parents should watch or play with their children to promote social interaction and learning from the content.
Video calls: Using screen time to maintain relationships with distant family members is positive, as it supports social connections.
Try to avoid using screens:
As a babysitter: Relying on screens to keep children occupied for long periods can limit their opportunities for imaginative play and social interaction.
Before bed: Using screens right before bedtime can interfere with sleep. Blue light from screens can disrupt melatonin production, making it harder for children to fall asleep.
Passive use: Background TV or passive consumption of content doesn’t contribute to learning or healthy development and should be minimized.
Finding Balance: A Healthy Approach to Screen Time
While screens are a part of everyday life, maintaining a healthy balance is key. Encourage outdoor play, socializing, and creative activities to support overall development. Here are a few tips to help manage screen time:
Set clear rules: Create family guidelines for when and how screens are used. For example, no screens during mealtime or before bed.
Lead by example: Children model adult behaviour, so demonstrating healthy screen habits yourself is important.
Encourage screen-free time: Promote screen-free activities such as reading, outdoor play, and family games.
Understanding and managing screen time for children is an important part of fostering healthy development. By following the Australian guidelines and promoting a balanced approach to screen use, parents can ensure that children benefit from screens without missing out on crucial physical, social, and emotional development.
If you are wanting some more information the Raising Children’s website has some more information, including good apps, TV shows, movies and YouTube channel’s for different age ranges: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/media-technology/screen-time
If you’d like some help to navigate a better screen time routine for your little one or your family, we’d love to give you some tips and tricks that have worked for our clients in the past! Reach out – we’d be so happy to help!
Remember to be kind and share joy!
- Allanah (Speech Therapist)
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