How much screen time is recommended for a preschooler?

Most guidelines suggest up to about one hour a day of high-quality content for children aged 2 to 5, ideally co-viewed with a parent. Quality and context matter more than hitting an exact number.

Is screen time before bed bad for children?

Screens in the hour before bed can delay sleep through stimulation and light exposure. A screen-free wind-down routine generally leads to easier, earlier sleep.

How much screen time is okay? A no-guilt, age-by-age guide

Published January 5, 2026

If you've ever done the maths on a rainy-day screen binge and felt a wave of guilt, you're in good company. But the research is kinder than the headlines: it's not just how long, it's what, when, and who's there that shape whether screens help or hurt.

The three questions that matter more than minutes

Before counting hours, ask:

What are they watching — slow, narrative content, or fast, hyper-stimulating clips?
When — never in the hour before bed, and not during meals.
Who with — co-viewing turns passive watching into shared language and connection.

A loose age framework

Under 18 months, skip screens beyond video calls. From 2 to 5, aim for around an hour a day of good content, watched together where you can. School age is less about a hard cap and more about balance with sleep, movement, and offline play.

A predictable rule you actually keep beats a perfect rule you break and feel guilty about.

The real goal

You're teaching a relationship with screens, not enforcing a quota. Clear, boring boundaries — same times, same places — work far better than daily negotiation.

Frequently asked

How much screen time is recommended for a preschooler?: Most guidelines suggest up to about one hour a day of high-quality content for children aged 2 to 5, ideally co-viewed with a parent. Quality and context matter more than hitting an exact number.
Is screen time before bed bad for children?: Screens in the hour before bed can delay sleep through stimulation and light exposure. A screen-free wind-down routine generally leads to easier, earlier sleep.