6 Fall 2025 How much screen time is too much for children? And what’s the best way to balance the benefits of screen time with the problems it can potentially cause?The answers will vary from family to family, and even day to day, based on careful consideration of several factors. One of those factors is that screen time is a sedentary activity. When children are glued to the screen watching a TV show or playing games on a tablet, they’re not being physically active, and physical activity is a critical part of health. So, it’s important to make sure children put down their devices each day and get some form of exercise—outside in the fresh air if possible. Another consideration is the type of content children are engaging with during screen time. Without parental controls and guidance, children can be exposed to concerning content such as violence, negative stereotypes, inaccurate information, or cyberbully messages. This can lead to issues including trouble sleeping, anxiety and depression, and poor self-image. Beyond setting a defined limit of screen time hours allowed for each child depending on age, your family can take other steps to reduce screen time and its negative impacts: • Turn off screens during family meals. • Avoid using screens to stop temper tantrums. • P rioritize quality content, like educational programs or a live camera at a local zoo. • S hut off screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime to foster better sleep. • B e a rolemodel for your children by limiting your own screen time. • U nderstand and use the parental controls available with your household’s devices. • Talk to your children about online threats and how to stay safe. When managed well, screen time can also be beneficial to children. It can connect them to a range of educational opportunities, teach them new skills, enable them to stay in touch with friends and family, and provide much-needed ways to relax. Finding the right balance between screen time and other activities is key. You can create a Personalized Family Media Use Plan with help from the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.healthychildren.org/English/ media/Pages/default.aspx. Managing Screen Time and Maintaining a Balance
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