For babies and toddlers, the major guidelines agree on the big picture: little or no screen time before 2, and no more than about an hour a day from 2 to 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 guidelines say screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 or sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds, and that from 2 years it should be no more than 1 hour, with less being better. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes one clear exception: video calls with family. How screens are used matters too, so this guide also covers watching together, background TV, screens and sleep, and a simple plan that works on a tired day.
How much screen time should babies and toddlers have?
Here's what each source says, by age.
| Age | WHO (2019) | AAP (US) | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | Not recommended | Avoid, except video calls | None |
| 1 year | Not recommended | Video calls only until 18 months | None |
| 18–24 months | Not recommended | High-quality, watched together | None |
| 2 years | Up to 1 hour, less is better | Up to 1 hour | Up to 1 hour |
| 3–4 years | Up to 1 hour, less is better | Up to 1 hour | Up to 1 hour |
Sources for the table:
- WHO: screen time is not recommended for infants; sedentary screen time (such as TV, videos and computer games) is not recommended for 1-year-olds; for 2-year-olds and children aged 3–4, no more than 1 hour, and less is better.
- Australia: healthdirect, the Australian Government's health information service, says children under 2 shouldn't have any screen time at all, and children aged 2 to 5 should spend no more than 1 hour a day in front of a screen.
- AAP: the CDC's toddler parenting tips report that the AAP says it's best for children under 18 months not to use any screen media other than video chatting. The AAP's page on screen time for infants suggests choosing high-quality, child-centred content and watching with your child. The AAP's food and media page says no more than one hour a day from 18–24 months, and the CDC's tips for 2- to 3-year-olds say no more than 1 hour a day of quality programming.
The AAP's newest advice, explained in Helping kids thrive in a digital world, asks families to move beyond simple screen-time limits and focus on quality, context and conversation. The limits above are still a useful ceiling, but what your child watches, who they watch with and what screens replace matter as much as the minutes.
Why do the guidelines limit screens for young children?
The WHO guidance is part of a wider plan for movement, sitting and sleep. It recommends that babies and young children aren't restrained for more than 1 hour at a time, such as in a pram, high chair or carrier, and that when they're sitting still, a caregiver reads or tells stories with them.
The AAP's 5 C's guide for infants explains that from birth to 18 months, babies are building secure relationships and early language, and that they can't learn much from screens at this age. It says songs and stories in your own voice have more positive impact than any video. The key question it asks is what screen time crowds out: talking, back-and-forth play, singing, reading and predictable routines.
Do video calls count as screen time?
The AAP treats them differently. Its tips for video chatting with infants and toddlers say video chatting shouldn't be considered screen time but relationship time. Calls are usually brief, involve a lot of language and can help parents feel supported. The WHO and the Australian guidance above don't single out video calls.
The AAP's suggestions for making calls work:
- Call at a regular time, such as the same time every evening or week.
- Link the call to something familiar, like a meal or a relative reading a book.
- Turn off the background TV and ask others to mute notifications.
- Play interactive games together, such as peekaboo, singing or showing toys.
- Point out and name what's on screen ("Look, Nana is holding a teddy!").
- If the picture freezes, explain to your child what's happening.
The AAP notes that babies only look at the screen for part of a call, and that around 18–24 months toddlers start to understand that what they see on screen represents something real.
What does watching together look like?
The AAP describes co-viewing as the best way to know what your child is watching and how they're responding. Watching together turns a show into something to talk about, and it's what the AAP recommends from the earliest ages if screens are used at all.
- Sit with your child and chat. Name things, ask simple questions and connect what's on screen to real life.
- Follow up afterwards. The AAP's 5 C's guide for toddlers and preschoolers suggests doing an activity related to the show, such as finding the animals you saw in a book.
- Choose programs made for young children. The AAP points to educational programs designed for preschoolers and suggests limiting unvetted video sites, cartoons and influencer content, which may include marketing.
- Turn off autoplay. The AAP says autoplay, endless scrolling and targeted ads aren't built with children's wellbeing in mind. A show with a clear ending makes "all done" easier.
- Share a family device. The AAP suggests delaying personal tablets, since a shared device makes watching together and keeping an eye on things easier.
Is background TV a problem?
It can be. The AAP's screen time for infants page says regularly having a TV on in the background has been linked with lower language and social-emotional skills in young children. The AAP's infant guide lists background media among the things that crowd out the building blocks of development, and suggests being mindful of your own phone and TV use around your baby.
Practical steps that help:
- Switch the TV off when nobody is watching it.
- Keep your phone out of sight during feeds, meals and play.
How do screens affect sleep?
The AAP lists unhealthy sleep among the risks of heavy screen use for young children. Its policy explainer advises screen-free time, especially in the hour before bed, and screen-free bedrooms. The CDC's tips for 2- to 3-year-olds also say to keep TV sets out of your child's bedroom.
The AAP's guides also suggest not using screens to get a baby to sleep, and building a calming bedtime routine around reading and snuggling instead. For a step-by-step routine, see bedtime routine and toddler sleep.
How do I make a family media plan?
The AAP recommends a Family Media Plan, and the CDC suggests one too. It doesn't need to be complicated. These steps come from the AAP's guides, with practical detail added.
- Pick screen-free times and places. The AAP's food and media page suggests media-free meals. Add bedrooms and the hour before bed.
- Decide when screens fit. The AAP suggests keeping screens to regular times of day, or long car, bus or plane trips, rather than open access to a tablet or phone.
- Choose content ahead of time. Make a short playlist of programs you're happy with and switch off autoplay.
- Plan what replaces screens. The AAP suggests setting aside daily time for play, reading and being outside.
- Calm without screens. The AAP suggests not reaching for a device every time your child is upset or bored. Comfort them, name the feeling and help them settle. See toddler tantrums.
- Look at your own use. The AAP's plan is for parents too, since young children copy what they see.
- Give a warning before it ends. Many families find a simple "one more song, then off" ahead of time makes switching off smoother.
If screen time has crept up, small, steady changes are usually easier to stick with than a sudden ban. An extra show on a sick day or a long flight isn't going to undo everything else you do.
What if I'm worried about my child's speech or development?
Screens are one piece of a bigger picture. If you're worried about your child's speech, how they interact with others, their attention or their sleep, talk to your GP or child-health nurse. It's worth raising whether or not screens are involved. For what to expect, see first words and milestones from 12 to 24 months.
A rough note of when screens are on in your home for a few typical days, including background TV and your own phone use around your child, can help you see where small changes would fit.
