The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of entertainment time per day for school-age kids, and no more than one hour per day before school-age. This encompasses basically any electronic device that has a screen on it, including TVs, computers, video games, iPhones, iPads or any other yet-to-be-invented entertainment device. It’s also recommended that children under two years of age not be exposed to any screen time, because it can interfere with imaginative play and cognitive development.
Tips for Healthy Screen Time
It’s usually pretty easy to get kids to limit their electronic entertainment time. It just takes a little more involvement from you as a parent.
Here are some suggested tips:
– Turn the television off during dinnertime.
– Set a good example for your children. Read together, play board games, do arts and crafts, or find other non-electronic activities to do together.
– Don’t put televisions or computers in bedrooms.
– Let your children earn and appreciate electronic entertainment time. For example, set a rule for no TV or video games until the weekend, and only after homework, chores and school activities for the week have been completed.
