Children now have more access to screens like TVs, tablets, phones, and computers both at home and in their schools. Recent studies show that screen time can affect a child’s health, brain development, and social skills.
Recommended screen time
Here are some guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO):
0 to 2 years
No screen time. At this age children should not be sat still for more than 1 hour a day unless sleeping.
2 to 5 years
1 hour or less. At this age children should not be sat still for more than 1 hour at a time unless sleeping.
5 to 12 years
2 hours or less. Physical activity should be encouraged, especially at least 1 hour of vigorous activity a day like playing sports or outdoor games.
Screen time and sleep
- No screen time one hour before bedtime to protect sleep (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2019).
- Blue light from screens can trick the body into thinking it’s early in the day and stop the release of melatonin, which helps us fall asleep.
- Children with a TV in their room are more likely to have sleep issues (Lego Foundation, 2018).
- Try activities like colouring, reading, listening to music or storybooks, puzzles, and board games before bed instead of screen time.
Screen time and wellbeing
- Screen time can be a risk factor for obesity as we tend to eat more and move less when using screens.
- Children with more than two hours of screen time a day might show more signs of depression (RCPCH, 2019).
- Adults who use screens a lot might miss chances to interact with others. Remember to show good social interactions for your child.
- Using mobile devices to calm down can stop children from learning other ways to manage their emotions.
- Background TV can distract a child from focusing on talking, play and exploration.
- There is no strong evidence showing that screen time helps children’s health and wellbeing.
Positive uses of screen time
- It’s best to share screen time with your child and talk about what’s happening on the screen together.
- Encourage your child to use skills learned from screens in their play.
- Set family rules about screen time and stick to them.
- Choose content wisely – make sure it’s suitable and reflects real-world experiences. Content should include active involvement rather than passive watching.
Screen time and safety
It’s important to know enough about the internet to keep children safe online. Children need skills to use the internet positively and responsibly (NSPCC 2018).
Children can accidentally or intentionally see inappropriate content online. Here are ways to reduce this risk:
- Use parental controls to block inappropriate content and talk regularly with your children about what they see online. Check sites like Internet Matters, Childnet.com, and Safety Net Kids for help setting these up.
- Explain age limits and age-appropriate sites to your child. Common Sense Media is a site where parents can check age ratings and reviews before children watch something.
- Explore apps and games together to decide if they are appropriate. The NSPCC has advice about starting family conversations about online safety their website.
Further information
For more advice on online and screen safety, check these websites
Internet Matters
Advice around parental controls and includes a video about potential risks of inappropriate content and practical tips you can take to keep your child safe online
Child Net
This site has resources for parents/professionals/young people on online safety. Visit the ‘Know It All’ Section for an interactive guide about online safety.
Childline
Childline website as advice, lists of potentially unsafe apps and how to make them safer.
NSPCC
Lots of advice and steps to take including links to other useful sites and how to report inappropriate content. They work with Net Aware to keep kids safe. NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign provides information for parents about popular social media sites, apps and games.
Wise Kids
Empowering young people, families, educators and professionals to thrive in a digitally connected world.
Last reviewed September 2025