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Lesson 8 of 8 Β· 5 min Β· +100 XP

What is the recommended screen time by age?

There is no single recommended number for school-age kids. The WHO advises no more than an hour a day for 2 to 4 year olds. For older kids, healthy screen time leaves room for 9 to 12 hours of sleep, moving, playing, school and family time. Switch screens off an hour before bed.

β–Ά Try it

Why it matters

Apps are made so it's hard to stop. You notice what charges your energy and what drains it, and check how you feel after scrolling.

In 5 minutes you'll be able to

  • Apps are made so it's hard to stop.
  • Ask yourself: how do I feel right now?
  • A timer helps you stop.

What you'll practise

  1. Your energy battery

    What charges your battery? What drains it?

    • Playing outside with friends β†’ Charges up
    • Scrolling video after video for ages β†’ Drains energy
    • Reading a book πŸ“– β†’ Charges up
    • Playing on your phone in bed β†’ Drains energy
    • A good night's sleep 😴 β†’ Charges up
    • Riding your bike 🚲 β†’ Charges up
    • Checking again and again if someone has messaged β†’ Drains energy

  2. Stopping well

    How do you stop using your phone well? Tap the steps in the right order.

    1. Set a timer first ⏰
    2. Timer rings: pause for a moment
    3. Ask: how do I feel right now?
    4. Put the phone down
    5. Do something that gives you energy 🌳

  3. Battery check

    What helps your battery?

    1. Why is it so hard to stop scrolling?

      • Because I'm doing something wrong.
      • Because apps are built that way. (Answer)

    2. After gaming you're tired and grumpy. What helps?

      • Take a break and go outside (Answer)
      • Play one more round

    3. Where is the best place for your phone to sleep?

      • Under my pillow
      • Outside my bedroom (Answer)

Remember

Notice how you feel. When your battery is low, put the screen down and recharge.

Playing, moving, reading and sleeping charge you up. Scrolling usually doesn't.

Key facts

  • Children aged 6 to 12 should regularly sleep 9 to 12 hours in every 24 hours for good health, according to sleep experts. The recommendation is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Β· Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, pediatric sleep duration consensus statement, 2016
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping all screens out of children's bedrooms, especially at night, and suggests families make a family media plan with screen-free times and places. Β· Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
  • Autoplay, endless feeds, streaks and constant notifications are design features that make it hard to stop, for children and adults alike.
  • A timer set before starting, and a quick check of "How do I feel?", helps children notice when it's time for a break.

Updated:

Questions people ask

How many hours of screen time should an 8 to 10 year old have?

Leading paediatric groups don't set one fixed number for this age. Instead, families agree limits that protect sleep, physical activity, homework and family time, and adjust them for how the child feels.

Why is it so hard for kids to stop scrolling?

Many apps are designed to keep people watching, with autoplay, endless feeds and rewards like streaks. It isn't a lack of willpower, so timers and clear family rules help.

Should kids have phones in their bedroom at night?

It's better not to. Screens in the bedroom can delay sleep and wake children up, so many families charge devices outside the bedroom overnight.

What is a family media plan?

A family media plan is a set of screen rules a family agrees together, such as screen-free mealtimes, a stop time before bed and where devices charge at night.

Related terms