Screen Time Guidelines

Screen time is the time you spend looking at screens on TVs, computers, tablets, and phones. Some screen time can be fun and educational. But too much can affect your health, sleep, and schoolwork.

How Much Is Too Much

Doctors recommend that kids ages six and older get no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day. Recreational means for fun, not for schoolwork. Kids under six should get even less.

Too much screen time can hurt your eyes, make it hard to sleep, and take away time from exercise and playing with friends.

Making Screen Time Healthy

Take breaks every 20 minutes by looking at something far away for 20 seconds. This helps your eyes rest. Sit up straight and keep the screen at eye level.

Balance screen time with other activities like playing outside, reading, or making art. Talk to your family about screen time rules that work for everyone.

Fun Facts

• The average kid spends about seven hours a day looking at screens.
• Blue light from screens can make it harder for your brain to know it is bedtime.
• The first TV remote control was invented in 1950 and was connected to the TV by a wire.

Did You Know?

Some schools use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to protect your eyes!