Keep an eye out for too much screen use, as it can affect your child’s physical, mental, and emotional development. Find out your child’s recommended screen use limit based on their age:
| Age: | Recommended Screen Use Limit: |
| Below 18 months | No screen time |
| 18 months to 6 years old | Less than 1 hour a day outside of school |
| 7 to 12 years old | Less than 2 hours a day outside of schoolwork |
For more information about screen use limits, check out this handy guide.
Children 18 months – 6 years old
Encourage Screen-free Play
When your child learns how to play by themselves, it can foster patience, persistence, and imagination. Here are some simple steps to help you get your little one started by creating a safe, screen-free play area:
Keep An Eye on Their Screens
When your child does have some screen time, watch along with them and keep them actively engaged to avoid passive viewing. Ask them questions such as, “What are you watching? Can you tell me more about it?”
To decide if content is age-appropriate and educational for your little one, ask yourself these 5 questions:
Q1: Is the content suitable for my child’s age?
Q2: Does it teach positive values like empathy?
Q3: Is it interactive to encourage the development of crucial skills?
Q4: Is it educational and factual?
Q5: Is it respectful of different opinions and avoids stereotypes?
Children 7–12 years old
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Plan for success together by working with your child to create a screen use plan that strikes a balance between screen use, staying active, family bonding, sufficient sleep, and schoolwork. Here’s how you can start:
Children See, Children Do
Your child learns by watching what you do, so lead by example and show them that there is a world beyond their screens! Put down your screens and engage with them more often — go out for family meals and play outside together. Help them build both memories, and screen-free habits that’ll last a lifetime.
It’s never too late to instil healthy screen use habits in your child. The best time to start is today with small, achievable steps. You’ve got this!
For more information on managing your child’s screen use, you can visit Parent Hub: Sparkly Teeth and Eyes for your 3–6-year-old, and Grow Well SG for your 7–12-year-old.
Contributed By
- Health Promotion Board