Screen Recommendations
EARLY CHILDHOOD (0–5 Years)
Technology plays no role in healthy development during this stage. Optimal growth depends on rich social, physical, and exploratory experiences.
What Little Ones Need: Spend lots of time talking to and looking at your child, provide opportunities for down time, free play and exploration of the physical world inside and outside of the home, allow your child to self-soothe on their own without the use of a device.
Screen Recommendations:
0–3 years: No screen time except co-video chatting with a caregiver. Keep sessions brief and interactive. Avoid tablets, phones, apps, and YouTube.
3 years–5 years: Max 1 hour/day of non-violent, pro-social content. Continue to avoid tablets, phones, apps, and YouTube. No screen time less than 1 hour before bedtime.
Parental Tip: Be mindful of your own screen time and stay fully present during interactions.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Ages 5–11)
Children experience major developmental growth across multiple domains. Each area is interconnected and essential for a well-rounded foundation.
What Children Need: Learning about the world around them is key during this stage of development. Limit screen time so children can reap the benefits of experiences in the physical world. Prioritize basic needs like sleeping, eating and self-care, as well as family time, free play, nature and outdoor time, chores, literacy, quiet time, and team sports and activities before considering screens.
Screen Recommendations:
No more than 2 total hours/day of supervised, high-quality content.
No more than 20 minutes/day of non-violent, pro-social video games.
No portable electronic devices including tablets.
No social media (YouTube), violent video games, chat apps (including texting or discord), or AI chatbots.
Internet only for school, if absolutely necessary, but consider opting out.
Use landlines for communication.
Identify and discuss family values.
Parental Tip: Be a strong role model. Talk to your kids about how and why you are using your device. Share appropriate and (mildly) questionable content and talk about the potential impact.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (Ages 11–14)
Middle school is a transformative stage where identity, independence, and belonging are formed. Development happens across multiple domains:
What tweens and early-teens need: Continue providing for your child as outlined in previous stages. Positive role models are crucial during this time as adolescents develop socially, emotionally, physically and morally. Independence and peer relationships are taking center stage so providing safe opportunities for adolescents to communicate with each other is important. Adopt boundaries to ensure adequate downtime. Encourage kids to get together in person.
Screen Recommendations:
No more than 2 total hours/day of non-violet, prosocial content.
No more than 45 minutes/day of non-violent, pro-social video games.
Research shows that social media (including YouTube) during this time can be disastrous to child development in all 6 key areas. It is easier to delay than to manage.
No social media, internet, online and/or violent video games or chatbots.
If necessary to keep in touch with children while they are out of the house, consider a basic communication watch, like a Gizmo, and load only guardian and emergency contact information.
If necessary, consider a basic portable device with text/call only. Use only at home.
Establish strict screen time limits, including downtime, and discuss use openly.
Protect sleep by storing devices outside of bedrooms.
Identify and discuss family values.
Parental Tip: Talk to your kids early and often about how, when, why and where they are using their device. Create clear tech-free places and times (while eating, in the car, with people). Continue to be a strong role model and identify other positive role models for your child.
HIGH SCHOOL (Ages 14–18)
Adolescents refine their identities, deepen relationships, and prepare for adult responsibilities. Development becomes more complex and nuanced.
What teens need: Teens most need trusted adults, healthy role models, and space to explore their independence. Support their growth with open conversations, consistent routines around sleep and physical health, and opportunities to reflect on what matters to them.
Screen Recommendations:
No more than 3 total hours/per day of screen time.
No more than 1 hour of non-violent, pro-social video games or OFFLINE, age-appropriate violent video games.
Gradual introduction of apps, browsers, and games. Introduce one app at a time.
No social media before 16. No chatbots or online violent video games.
Maintain and regularly adjust screen time settings, including app limits and downtime.
Protect sleep by storing devices outside of bedrooms.
Continue to talk about technology and how values are supported or contradicted online.
Parental Tip: Try to remember that our kids are growing up in this new world. Approach their technology use with curiosity and empathy. Ask them to explain it to you.
The Takeaway
From infancy to adolescence, development depends on human connection, exploration, and reflection. Technology should support—not replace—these foundational experiences.
Turning Life On empowers families and communities to raise healthy kids in a media saturated world.
