Ask the Expert: How to Manage Screen Time as Kids Head Back to School

There isn't a single number that's right for every child, but there are some good general guidelines. 

For children younger than 18 months, it's best to avoid screen use except for video chatting with family members. For children between the ages of 2 and 5, aim for about an hour a day of high-quality programming with an adult whenever possible. 

For school-age children and teens, the focus shifts away from strict time limits and toward making sure screens don't interfere with sleep, physical activity, schoolwork, family time, and in-person relationships. The quality of screen time matters just as much as the quantity. Remember to not beat yourself up if your kids violate these guidelines every now and then—your mental health is important, too.

While additional research is needed, excessive screen time has been linked with poorer sleep, reduced physical activity, increased anxiety and depression, attention difficulties, and fewer opportunities for face-to-face social interaction. Importantly, these studies generally show associations rather than cause and effect. In some cases, children who are anxious, depressed, or having difficulty sleeping may simply use screens more. The relationship is likely a two-way street, with each influencing the other.

Younger children learn best through conversation, play, and hands-on exploration, so excessive screen use can displace experiences that are critical for healthy brain development. For adolescents, social media brings additional challenges, including cyberbullying, unhealthy social comparisons, and pressure to be constantly connected. 

At the same time, technology can also provide educational opportunities, social support, and creative outlets when it's used thoughtfully.

Parents don't need to eliminate screens overnight, or at all. Instead, gradually re-establish routines before school starts. Move bedtime and wake-up time back to school schedules, set predictable times for homework and recreational screen use, and create device-free periods during meals and before bedtime. Kids generally respond better to consistent expectations than sudden restrictions, especially when parents model those same healthy habits.

Not all screen time is created equal. Time spent completing school assignments or participating in classroom activities serves a different purpose than scrolling social media or watching random videos. Parents should prioritize making sure school-related screen use happens first, while setting reasonable limits on recreational screen time afterward. 

Rather than focusing only on the total number of hours, ask whether screens are supporting learning or simply replacing healthier activities like sleep, exercise, reading, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends. This last point is especially important. 

The most effective strategies are often the simplest. Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight, establish screen-free meals, encourage physical activity and family activities, and maintain consistent routines. It's also important to talk with children about what they're doing online instead of focusing only on how long they're online. 

Perhaps most importantly, children pay attention to what adults do. Parents who model healthy technology habits are much more likely to see those same behaviors in their children. 

Technology is here to stay, so we need to learn how to use it wisely. The goal isn't to raise children who avoid screens altogether, but to help them develop healthy, balanced habits so technology enhances their lives rather than dominates them.