Our modern digital screen technology allows us to do countless amazing things that people a century ago could never have imagined. But while technology has dramatically improved our world, there are major consequences to using it incorrectly.
One consequence that we often fail to recognize is how screens affect growing children. Is all technology harmless, or should parents enforce boundaries? How much technology is too much for children?
Technology Is Easy and Convenient for Parents
Technology is an easy fallback for overworked parents. After a full day of work, school, appointments, errands, and social functions, parents are understandably exhausted. Then there’s dinner to be cooked and the house to be cleaned. It’s no wonder parents are quick to use screens as a free babysitter so they can get some time to themselves.
Screens are easy, but are they beneficial?
What Are Screen Time Recommendations for Children?
Screen time recommendations are based on the child’s age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- Infants 0 to 18 months: No screen time, but video chats are allowed
- Toddlers 18-24 months: 1 hour or less of educational content only
- Children 2-5 years: 1 hour or less per weekday or 3 hours or less per weekend day. Educational or interactive content is recommended, but non-educational content is allowed.
- Children 6-15 years: 2 hours or less per weekday, with non-educational content allowed
These recommendations sound reasonable, and most parents can see the benefit to these boundaries. If children are spending most of their waking hours glued to a digital screen, they won’t have time to develop other skills, get exercise, make friends, or pursue other interests.
Unfortunately, the average child spends far more time on screens than the recommendations. The 2025 Common Sense Media Report states kids ages 5-8 now spend more than 3.5 hours per day on screens. Additionally, 40% of 2-year-olds own a tablet, and 58% of 4-year-olds have their own tablet, which usually indicates these children spend significant time on screens. Another source says children ages 5-16 spend 6.3 hours a day on screens.
How Does Technology Affect Children?
Studies show that “excessive screen time was associated with overweight [or] obesity and shorter sleep duration among toddlers and preschoolers. Excessive screen use [is] associated with various health indicators in physical, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects.”
Children addicted to screens often struggle with one or more of these ailments:
- Obesity or overweight: due to a lack of exercise and movement
- Overtired: due to poor sleep from viewing screens before bedtime
- Behavioral challenges: with irritability or aggression
- Academic challenges: because screens distract from concentrated time on classroom learning, homework, and studying
- Depression: because children and teens are prone to comparing themselves with those they see on social media, and are more likely to experience cyberbullying
- Anxiety: due to constant connectivity and comparing themselves with others
Clearly, while digital screens can be beneficial in small doses, too much technology is detrimental to growing children.
Parents Must Set Healthy Technology Boundaries
Left unattended, children will stay engrossed in their screens. It’s up to parents to set appropriate boundaries for technology.
While life can get crazy sometimes and parents might need to rely on extra screen time in order to get everything done, this should be the exception to the rule. Parents should strive to enforce the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations for screen time according to their child’s age.
Of course, having less screen time than recommended is even better! The more parents can encourage their child’s independent and creative play, reading, art skills, physical coordination and strength, and in-person social skills, the more well-rounded their child will be.
Parents should take their responsibility with technology very seriously so their children will grow up well-adjusted and not addicted to technology.