Monitor your child’s screen time and the quality of content that they consume. However, the most important thing is to look at the child’s overall wellbeing. Make sure that the child has a variety of different activities every day.
Support your child in media literacy
Explore and discuss different programmes and games together with your child. Children learn media consumption habits by observing their parents. You can set an example of balanced media consumption and show that screen time is only one part of everyday life.
Agree on a set of shared screen time rules for your family. There is no need to restrict the child’s access to music or audiobooks, as long as there is also room for other things in everyday life.
Together with your child, choose media content that is appropriate for their age and development level. You can favour programmes and games that support the child’s learning and development. However, it is also fine to enjoy screentime without pressure for the content's contribution to the child’s development.
Where needed, use apps and device settings to help manage the child’s screen time and prevent access to inappropriate content.
Excessive screen time is harmful
According to experts, you can provide screen time for children under school age for up to an hour a day. It is not recommended to provide children under the age of 2 with any screen time at all.
Excessive screen time can harm the child’s development. For example, speech and language develop in interaction between an adult and the child. Monotonous activities can also cause restlessness, irritability and other changes in mood and behaviour.
Limit the child’s screen time if it causes them not to have enough time for physical activity, play, sleep or meeting other people face-to-face.
The child may react to restrictions on their screen time by getting angry, crying or throwing a tantrum. Try to tolerate the child’s difficult emotions and stick to your decision. Diverting the child’s attention to other activities may help. Once the situation has calmed down, you should discuss the child’s screen time with them and agree on practices that the child can anticipate.
