Screen time and children
Screen time is spent in front of any screen for entertainment or recreation purposes.
This page is part of the Kids at Play Active Play program.
What screen time includes
- Watching television, DVDs or movies.
- Playing electronic games on computers, tablets, video game consoles such as PlayStation or Xbox, handheld electronic devices such as Nintendo Switch or smartphones.
- Using the internet.
Negatives of screen time
There's no denying that screens are a big part of life. Screens have some real positives; they can be fun, and they're also useful when it comes to teaching our children new things.
However, screen time can have a negative side. The more time children spend on a screen, the less time they are being active, engaging in creative or imaginative play, or mixing with other children. Research shows that unsupervised use of screens while a child is sedentary for long periods of time can lead to:
- language delays
- reduced attention spans
- lower levels of school readiness
- poorer decision-making.
Recommended screen time limits
Children under 2 years
Children younger than 2 years shouldn't spend any time on screens.
Children aged 2 to 5 years
Children aged 2 to 5 years should spend no more than one hour per day on screens.
Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years
Sedentary screen time should be more than 2 hours per day.
These guidelines are according to the:
- Australian Government Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (Birth to 5 years)
- Australian Government, Department of Health (2019) Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children & Young People (5-17 years).
Ways to limit screen time
It's important to find the right balance when it comes to how much time your children spend using a screen.
Limiting screen time can be challenging, but these tips may help:
- set family rules about the maximum time on screens per day and stick to it
- try not to leave the TV on in the background – use music instead
- designate certain days as screen-free days – this could be one or two days during the week when they have other activities
- encourage children to be selective about what they watch rather than just whatever happens to be on
- have a no screen policy during meal times
- avoid having screens in bedrooms or study and quiet areas
- use a timer or alarm clock to enforce the screen time you set
- try not to spend lots of time in front of a screen, or let children see you spending lots of time in front of a screen
- wherever possible, choose non-screen-based activities and entertainment.
Switch to play instead
Children need to enjoy a wide range of activities every day including active physical play, creative and imaginative play, hands-on fun and anything that involves spending time and interacting with other people.
The problem is screen time often comes at the expense of these other important activities. There's a strong link between too much screen time and poor concentration, reduced intellectual development, and increased levels of obesity.
Reducing screen-based activities to help your children switch to play is really important. By encouraging them to switch to play every day, you're helping them:
- develop the good habit of being physically active
- make friends and improve social skills
- enjoy fun creative play
- maintain a healthy weight, and
- have a good start to learning.
Switch it off and encourage children to play
This might sound 'easier said than done' – but there are some fun alternatives to screen time. Here are some active play ideas to get things rolling:
- Have dress-ups, puzzles, crafts and building blocks ready for play at any time.
- Encourage fun, active play (indoors and outdoors), such as dancing to music.
- Try different activities that your family can enjoy together.
- Encourage your children to help with household activities like packing away toys.
Watch videos
Indoor play
Indoor play may have some space limitations, but there are still plenty of opportunities for active play. When you make clever use of the space you have, and think creatively about indoor active play, your children won’t just be moving – they can be moving in ways that won’t happen as often during outdoors play.
Outdoor play
Outdoor play gives them all the room they need for ‘gross motor’ activities like jumping, running, climbing and leaping at different speeds. Being outdoors is also a great opportunity for children to get to know their environment and connect with nature.
When outdoors, you and your children should be sun smart. Wear long-sleeved polo shirts, knee length shorts and wide-brimmed hats. And remember to regularly apply at least a SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Kids at Play - Outdoor Play_captions from ACT Health on Vimeo.
Out and about play
Don’t have indoor or outdoor space for your children to play and be active? Think about the public places around you that you can enjoy when you are out and about – shopping centre indoor play equipment, indoor play centres, local parks and playgrounds, bike paths, and nature reserves to name a few. All great opportunities to be active and have fun.
Kids at Play - Out and About Play_captions from ACT Health on Vimeo.
Key messages about healthy habits
Healthy habits start early in life.
- children need to be active throughout the day and every day
- encourage and support free and creative fun play
- set limits on screen time at home
- practise good family screen-time habits
- choose quality screen-based activities that are age-appropriate, educational, and promote physical activity and creative play.
Policy for early childhood services and schools
If you're an early childhood education and care service or school, develop a policy that identifies the amount of time children spend engaging in sedentary small screen activities.