Screens and Early Childhood: Navigating the Digital Age
Are We Obligated to Enforce Screen Time Restrictions for Children Under Six Years Old?
"Avoid screens during meals, for putting the child to sleep, or to calm them. This creates 'rituals' that can negatively impact food and sleep habits," warns Axelle Desaint, Director of the National Internet Without Fear Program. Today, toddlers as young as two years old spend an average of 56 minutes each day engaged with screens, with the figure rising to one hour and 20 minutes for those aged three and a half. Since the new year, parents have been receiving guidance on screen use from the Health Record. Screens are off-limits for children under three, and sparingly used before they reach six years old.
A Closer Look at the Recommendations
For children under the age of 18 months, screens are nearly a no-go, with the exception of video chats. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advocates against screen time for children under the age of two. For children between 18 months and two years, minimal screen time is recommended, ideally limited to high-quality content that is co-viewed with an adult.
When it comes to children aged 2 to 5, screen time should be limited to an hour a day of high-quality programming, monitored by adults to enhance learning. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization advocate for this one-hour limit.
To create a balanced environment for young children, other best practices include establishing screen-free zones (such as bedrooms, kitchens, and cars, except during long trips), setting curfews (no screens during meals or an hour before bedtime), and monitoring content to prioritize passive viewing (such as TV over tablets) for easier supervision and reduced eye strain.
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Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines [3], World Health Organization recommendations [5], and clinical plans emphasizing balance with physical activity and sleep [4][2]
- Despite the average screen time of two-year-olds being 56 minutes per day, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against screen time for children under the age of two.
- The government's guidance for children aged 18 months to two years suggests minimal screen time, preferably limited to high-quality content co-viewed with an adult.
- To ensure a balanced lifestyle for children aged 2 to 5, it's recommended to limit screen time to an hour a day of high-quality programming, and create screen-free zones in areas such as homes, kitchens, and cars.
- In line with the World Health Organization's recommendations, screen time should be carefully monitored for children aged 2 to 5, with an aim to enhance their learning and development.
- To promote healthy home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and sleep habits, it's advised to set curfews for screens during meals or an hour before bedtime to help establish positive routines.
