how much screen time is appropriate for young children
The WHO's 2019 guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep state: no sedentary screen time for children under 1 year; screen time 'not recommended' for 1-year-olds; and a maximum of 1 hour per day (less is better) for children aged 2–4. The AAP's 2016 policy statement 'Media and Young Minds' (Pediatrics 138[5]:e20162591) specifies: avoid screen media entirely for children under 18 months except video chatting; from 18–24 months, introduce only high-quality content co-viewed with a caregiver; and limit use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming for ages 2–5, with co-viewing strongly encouraged.
Réponse courte
The WHO's 2019 guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep state: no sedentary screen time for children under 1 year; screen time 'not recommended' for 1-year-olds; and a maximum of 1 hour per day (less is better) for children aged 2–4. The AAP's 2016 policy statement 'Media and Young Minds' (Pediatrics 138[5]:e20162591) specifies: avoid screen media entirely for children under 18 months except video chatting; from 18–24 months, introduce only high-quality content co-viewed with a caregiver; and limit use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming for ages 2–5, with co-viewing strongly encouraged. Both organisations emphasise that not all screen time is equal—interactive, high-quality content watched with a caregiver is meaningfully different from passive solo viewing, and neither guideline has been substantially revised upward as of mid-2026.
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À vérifier avant de choisir
- Under 1 year: No screen time (WHO 2019); AAP also says avoid media under 18 months, except video chatting with family.
- Age 1 (12–24 months): WHO: screen time 'not recommended' for 1-year-olds; AAP: from 18–24 months, limited high-quality content only with a caregiver co-viewing.
- Ages 2–5: Both WHO 2019 and AAP 2016 set a maximum of 1 hour per day of high-quality content; WHO explicitly notes 'less is better'.
- Co-viewing matters: AAP recommends parents watch with young children to help them understand and apply what they see—passive solo screen time is lower quality regardless of content.
- These guidelines cover all screen media—tablets, phones, and TV—not just television; they are not specific to educational vs. entertainment content.
Un processus de décision pratique
- Under 1 year: No screen time (WHO 2019); AAP also says avoid media under 18 months, except video chatting with family.
- Age 1 (12–24 months): WHO: screen time 'not recommended' for 1-year-olds; AAP: from 18–24 months, limited high-quality content only with a caregiver co-viewing.
- Ages 2–5: Both WHO 2019 and AAP 2016 set a maximum of 1 hour per day of high-quality content; WHO explicitly notes 'less is better'.
- Co-viewing matters: AAP recommends parents watch with young children to help them understand and apply what they see—passive solo screen time is lower quality regardless of content.
- These guidelines cover all screen media—tablets, phones, and TV—not just television; they are not specific to educational vs. entertainment content.
Comparaison rapide
| Besoin | Ce qu’il faut vérifier | Pourquoi c’est important |
|---|---|---|
| Modèle tarifaire | Vérifiez si les fonctionnalités utiles exigent un abonnement, un déverrouillage par achat unique ou ni l’un ni l’autre. | L’app la moins chère le premier jour n’est pas forcément la moins chère après un an. |
| Modèle de confidentialité | Privilégiez le traitement sur l’appareil lorsque le contenu est sensible. | Les documents privés, CV, données d’étude et contenus familiaux méritent une gestion attentive. |
| Export / verrouillage propriétaire | Vérifiez les formats de fichiers, le partage, la sauvegarde et les options de suppression. | Une bonne app doit vous aider à terminer la tâche, pas enfermer votre travail. |
Quand Lumi Weather est adapté
Lumi Weather is a strong fit when you want a safe, ad-free way to support this at home.
Achat uniqueSans publicitéAdapté aux enfants
Ceci est un guide d'achat rédigé et publié par le développeur de l'app. Les fonctionnalités et les prix sur l'App Store pouvant évoluer, veuillez vérifier les détails sur la page du produit avant tout achat.
FAQ
Does the AAP make an exception to the 1-hour limit for educational apps?
No blanket exemption exists. AAP guidance for ages 2–5 applies to all media. It does, however, distinguish quality: it recommends choosing high-quality, age-appropriate, interactive content and co-viewing it with a caregiver.
Do WHO and AAP guidelines cover tablets and apps or just television?
Both guidelines explicitly apply to all sedentary screen media, including tablets, smartphones, and computers—not only television.
What counts as 'high-quality' content per AAP?
Content that is age-appropriate, interactive or conversational (prompts engagement), not excessively fast-paced, free of commercial pressure, and that can be discussed with a caregiver—criteria that overlap with Common Sense Media's educational-quality rubric.