Screen time (also called media use) is when someone is using a screen such as a computer, tablet, phone, TV, or other device. It includes activities such as videos, social media, texting, apps, and games. Screens are a big part of kids' lives, for learning, playing, and connecting with others. But too much screen time can make it hard for them to get enough physical activity and sleep, and to do other activities. These tips can help kids find a healthy balance.

General Screen Time Recommendations:

• Under 18 months old: No screen time except video chatting with a friend or relative.
• 18 months–2 years old: If desired, you can introduce your toddler to very limited amounts of educational programming that you use together.
• 2–5 years old: No more than 1 hour a day of educational programming, used together with a parent or other caregiver who can help them understand what they're seeing. 
• Over 5 years old: Continue to set limits so screens won't take the place of playing, getting enough sleep, interacting with others, and being physically active.

Build a family screen time plan. Work with your kids to set rules about screen time. These might include:

• what websites, games, movie ratings, and social media align with your family values
• balancing screen time with other things
• how to stay safe online
• the age at which family members can get a cellphone
• when screen time is not OK (for example, during meals or homework time)
• what passwords need to be shared with parents
• what safety features will be used (for example, kid-safe browsers, website blockers, and privacy settings)
• whether you will check your kids' activities (such as browsing history, social media conversations, and texts)

Help keep your child safe when using screens. Talk with your child often about the things they do online. Keep computers and devices in places where you can watch your kids use them. Check their browser history to see what they're looking up. Use kid-safe browsers, website blockers, and privacy settings to limit what your kids do online.

If you let your kids use social media, talk to them about how to use it safely. Good rules for social media include: 

• Don't share personal information, like addresses, phone numbers, or school names.
• Always be kind on social media.
• Don't chat with strangers online or agree to meet an online friend in person.
• Never respond if someone threatens you online. Take a screenshot or save the post, then tell a parent or other trusted adult right away.
• Tell a parent or other trusted adult if you're bullied or see bullying online.
• Don't use your real name on websites or social media.
• Share passwords only with your parents.
• Don't send photos of your body. Tell a parent or trusted adult right away if someone talks about sex, sends photos of their body (or asks for photos of yours), or says something about your body.

• You're worried about your child's online activities.
• Your child seems sad or depressed or doesn't want to spend time with others.
• Media use keeps your child up late at night. 

Is screen time bad for kids? Kids under 2 years old learn and develop best through real-life experiences. Although screen time isn't necessarily bad for young kids, it can take away from those learning opportunities. Screen time can help older kids learn and connect with friends, but too much can make them less physically active, limit how much they interact with people in real life, hurt sleep, and take time away from other things they enjoy. Social media and some online content can be violent, dangerous, sexual, or misleading. By knowing what your kids are doing online and encouraging them to set healthy limits on screen time, you can help them use screen time safely and wisely.

How can I manage screen use outside of our home? Ask how online safety is handled at your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where your child could use a screen without your supervision.