Screen Time in Children: Quality Over Quantity

Lillian White, MD
Posted on August 18, 2025

Children in the United States spend a significant amount of time engaged with screens. Estimates suggest screen time can exceed 7 hours per day. Although screen time increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, average levels returned to prepandemic norms in 2021. However, children living in low-income communities maintained elevated screen-time levels, according to a 2024 study.

Demographic factors also affect screen time use. Female sex and having parents with graduate-level education (compared with college only) were associated with reduced screen time as children aged. Children receiving home-based (vs center-based) care appear to be at greater risk for increased screen exposure. Boys tend to spend more screen time playing video games, whereas girls more often use screens to listen to music or read.

Almost one-third of children use a computer for homework, highlighting a potentially beneficial use of screen time. Coviewing—watching a screen with a parent who actively engages with the child—is associated with positive effects on executive function and language development, provided the parent is actively participating. Screen time may expand a child’s social support network, although it may also expose them to cyberbullying and online predators.

Screen time can support academic activities, but excessive use can have a detrimental effect on health. Preschool-aged children who spend 2 or more hours on screens each day show lower psychological well-being compared with children exposed to 1 hour or less. Media use has been shown to increase the risks of depression and obesity in children. Conversely, reduced screen time correlates with lower aggression and obesity rates. Passive screen use may also negatively affect attention and social skills. In a systemic review and meta-analysis, parental use of screens during interaction with children—such as during mealtimes—was associated with poorer cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Among adolescents, increased social media use is associated with reduced life satisfaction, underscoring the significance of managing screen time and content.

Earlier guidelines emphasized limiting screen time duration, regardless of content type. Current guidelines focus on screen-time quality over quantity. Additional recommendations to make the most of screen time include encouraging age-appropriate content, co-using with caregivers, and using screen time for educational purposes. A family media plan can help set screen limits and boundaries to promote the benefits while reducing the risks of screen time as much as possible. This includes dedicated screen-free times for adults as well as children. Keeping screens out of children’s bedrooms and particularly avoiding use at least 1 hour before bed are recommended to promote healthy sleep and screen time. Parental controls may be used to promote safe and age-appropriate viewing. The 5 Cs (Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out, and Communication) may also help assess screen time in children to promote healthy use.