Parent Hub: 0-2 Years - Screen Time

Manage your child's screen time with tips on healthy habits and encouraging screen-free play for babies and toddlers.

CONTRIBUTED BY

Health Promotion Board

Parent Hub: 0-2 Years - Screen Time

Mother and baby playing together with a balloon in a bright indoor setting.

There is no doubt that parenting can be very demanding. Keeping a young child entertained can wear out even the most patient and hands-on parents. To keep the little one entertained, many parents use digital devices with screens such as the television, tablets and mobile phones so that parents can have a much-needed break.

Baby holding a smartphone, marked with a cross symbol over.

While pre-schoolers and older kids can have some screen time, it’s not advisable for babies and toddlers under the age of 18 months.

Man using smartphone on sofa with screen time questionnaire showing “3 hours per day” selected.

Worried about your child’s excessive screen use?

Get personalised tips and tools for your child with Screen Use Buddy!

Explore now

Illustration of a family using devices together while a child plays with building blocks.

Screen Smart From The Start

Guiding healthier digital habits, every step of the way.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Infographic with tips on healthy screen use in children, showing age-based guidelines and advice for parents.

Handy Guide to Screen Use

Practical tips to help your family build healthy screen use habits.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Infographic on children’s screen use showing risks of excessive screen time and need for parental guidance.

How to Manage your Child's Screen Use habits

Learn how to set healthy screen time boundaries with simple, age-appropriate guidance.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Engage Your Child Without Screen Time (4 Months)

Discover practical ways to play and interact with your baby to support healthy development from the very beginning.
Brought to you by the Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital. For more child development resources, visit the NUH CDU Resources page.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Healthy Screen Time Guidelines for Your Baby (9 Months)

Discover practical ways to play and interact with your baby during everyday routines to support healthy development.
Brought to you by the Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital. For more child development resources, visit the NUH CDU Resources page.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Healthy Screen Time Guidelines for Your Baby (18 Months)

Discover practical ways to incorporate play into your child's daily routines and strengthen your bond through everyday interactions.
Brought to you by the Child Development Unit, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital. For more child development resources, visit the NUH CDU Resources page.

i'm hiddenLearn More

The ABCs of Healthy Screen Time for Your Child

Learn simple, practical strategies to help your child develop healthy screen habits as they grow.

i'm hiddenLearn More

Guidelines on Screen Time

Source: Guidance on Screen Use in Children, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 2025

Child lying on a bed using a smartphone, looking down at the screen.

Under 18 months

No screen use (unless for interactive video chatting). Do not turn on the TV in the background.

Child sitting on a sofa using a tablet, looking at the screen.

18 months to 6 years old

Less than 1 hour of screen use a day outside school. Do not use screens just to occupy or distract your child. Do not use screens during meals and one hour before bedtime.

When using screens, choose educational and age-appropriate content. Watch content together and discuss the content with your child.

Why is screen time not recommended for children under 18 months old?

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#1: Babies learn the most from human interaction Brain regions are developing rapidly during this age and young children at this age learn best from real-world experiences such as through physical play, reading and social interactions with family members. Screen time (including having the TV played in the background) reduces the time spent on these meaningful interactions which are important for developing language and social skills.

Child holding onto a water balloon over a large container.

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#2: Screen time at this young age can cause developmental delays Having too much screen time at a young age can lead to developmental and behavioural concerns such as language delay. A study conducted by Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning & Development (CHILD) found that too much screen time is also associated with inattention problems (lack of attention or reduced attention span) in young pre-schoolers¹.

¹Tamana SK, Ezeugwu V, Chikuma J, et al. Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0213995. Published 2019 Apr 17. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213995.

Alphabet blocks spelling “READ” on a surface with a blurred child in the background.

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#3: You might find it hard to deny them screen time later on Young children need time to daydream and learn to entertain themselves. These activities improve their creativity. If young children are constantly being stimulated by screens, they might easily get frustrated when denied screen time or their favourite channels.

Child crying while standing next to a sofa.

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#4: Screen time impacts physical health Adequate sleep and physical activity play a critical role in children’s health and development. Screen time might take away time from physically activities. You want your baby to be practising tummy time or honing their motor skills by sitting, crawling, standing, walking. Plus, screen time before bedtime is associated with shorter duration and poorer quality sleep in infants and toddlers.

Baby crawling on grass playing with colourful balls outdoors.

What is screen time and passive viewing?

Workspace with tablet, laptop, phone, and charts, with the text “
Screen Time” beside.

Screen time is the time spent on screens, e.g. using computers, tablets, smartphones, or watching TV or video or hand-held computer games.

Side-by-side images showing co-viewing with family with the text “Co-viewing”, and a child using a tablet alone with the text “
Passive”.

Passive viewing refers to screen viewing without adult co-viewing and interaction.

When can I introduce screen time to my child?

Mother supporting a baby holding a colourful stacking toy while sitting on a bed.

With the large variety of educational programmes, parents might feel pressured to introduce digital devices early. But rest assured, unstructured play (free play) is more valuable for a young child's developing brain than is electronic media. Give your child opportunities for free movement and floor play to develop motor skills such as grasp, suck, search, startle, step, crawl. Your child will learn far more when interacting or reading a book with you than they will from passively watching videos.

Father holding a child on the lap while both look at a tablet together.

For children between 18 months and 6 years old, limit screen use to less than 1 hour a day outside school. Children who spend excessive time on screens may experience difficulties in attention, learning and problem-solving. When using screens, choose educational and age-appropriate content. Watch content together and discuss the content with your child. Do not use screens during meals and one hour before bedtime.

Baby being held by a parent, crying and holding onto a smartphone in parent's hand.

Holding off on screen time means avoiding negotiations and meltdowns over it. If your child never gets to play on your phone, you won't have to worry about tantrums and power struggles over it.

Tips for Daddy and Mummy

Three images showing parents interacting with children, including playing, holding and using a tablet together.

5 tips to delay and reduce screen time at home

Do not give your child your phone or tablet to play with

Mother playing with a baby on a sofa, holding a teddy bear while the baby reaches for it.

There is no doubt that parenting can be very demanding and can wear out even the most patient and hands-on parents. Most babies and toddlers will be contented to play with toys or books. It might be tempting to let them play with your phone or tablet to keep them entertained, however it’s best to delay introducing digital devices to them at an early age.

Baby standing with support from a parent while reaching for a toy from another parent.

If they kick up a fuss, distract them by offering them something else as a substitute. For example, offer them their favourite toy or point to a moving object to practise grasping.

Toddler walking on grass towards a parent's outstretched hands.

You can also change the environment by bringing them to a different room or outside for a quick walk.

Turn off the background TV

Close-up of a hand holding a remote control pointed at a television.

Background TV limits the amount and quality of attention we give to young children which can lead to a delay in language development. If you need some entertainment, put on music or an audio book instead.

Limit your own phone use

Father and child sitting together at a table, drawing with pencils.

You are the most important person in your child’s life so they will model your behaviour. If they see you looking at screens often and daily, they’ll conclude that the behaviour is acceptable and will want to do the same.

Establish ‘screen-free’ zones

Table with multiple dishes as a hand uses chopsticks to pick up food.

Screen-free zones at home like the dining table and your child’s bedroom help to consciously remind family members not to use mobile devices during mealtimes and while preparing your child for bed.

Set rules and stick to them

Parent raising a finger while interacting with a baby, who has a bib on.

Set rules on when and where can devices be used at home. For example, you can set a rule to put away devices during meal times and at least 1 hour before bed.

Fun, home activities without screens

Sensory play

There are many things you can do that does not involve a screen. For example, go on a play date, a long walk or try craft activities. Here are some ideas that you can try at home with your child:

Colouring Vegetables

Have some colouring fun with your toddler through these exercises.

View activity

Build a Playhouse

Work with your little ones to keep them entertained with this DIY playhouse.

View activity

Matching Fruits

Guide your little one to find their favourite fruits and match their way through!

View activity

Download all
screen-free activities

Mirror Play

Learn and grow through mirror play

Babies like gazing at themselves in the mirror and playing in front of the mirror can be fun and fascinating for the child.

It offers a way to nurture your child’s development of self-awareness, which is a key part of their overall social-emotional development. Try playing peekaboo, teach your baby to clap the hands in front of the mirror. Try making funny faces and sing with motion.

Independent Play

Explore ways to promote independent play

Baby reaching forward to grab a ball held by parent.

Independent play is when your child plays on his own without parents interfering. During independent play, your child can explore and experiment and develop their creativity.

Make a Music Tray Make a Ball Bin Create Magnet Boards

3 ways to keep screens away outside the home

Children playing with puzzle pieces, with text “Check the school policy”.

If you send your child to infant care, check with the school on their policy about screen time for children below 18 months old and ask if they control screen time.

Person writing notes beside a bag, with text “Share the rules with caregivers”.

If someone babysits your child while you are away, be sure that they know and follow your family's rules about screens.

Open bag with toys and markers, with text “Bring a fun bag”.

Pack fun alternatives for outing. Bring a ‘fun bag’ of small toys, healthy snacks, stickers and books so when your child gets impatient, you have other tools besides your phone or tablet to come to the rescue.

Do what works for your family!

Mindfulness and moderation are key. Be aware of how much time your child is logging with a screen and make sure much of that is spent with you. A toddler’s mind is impressionable, and they can adapt to the direction you put them in. Dedicate most of your child's day to screen-free time such as free play, social interactions, drawing, puzzles, books and toys.

Browse All Articles and Resources for 0-2 Years

i'm hiddenView all

you may also