How Many Hours of Screen Time Per Day for a Child? Chart by Age

«How much screen time is too much?» is the question every parent asks. A short answer exists, but the useful one takes a moment longer: how many hours matters as much as what content and at what time of day.

Screen Time Limits by Age (2026)

• 0-2 years: no screens, except video calls with family.
• 2-5 years: maximum 1 hour per day, quality content, ideally watched together.
• 6-12 years: 1-2 hours per day of entertainment, balanced with sleep and movement.
• 13+ years: no fixed number, but agreed limits and no screens in the bedroom at night.

These figures follow guidance from the WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Why the Number Alone Isn't Enough

Two hours of a documentary watched together is not the same as two hours of endlessly scrolling short videos. The latter exploits reward mechanisms that make it hard to stop: that's how engagement-driven apps are built. The first thing to understand is that the brain treats these very differently.

The Problem Isn't the Limit, It's the Transition

Most conflict doesn't come from the limit itself, but from the moment the screen turns off. That's why children melt down when you take the device away. An abrupt shutoff interrupts a dopamine cycle, and the brain reacts with frustration.

That's why Nami Kids doesn't cut off suddenly: it guides the child out of the screen with a short 7-8 minute story, making the transition gradual.

How to Enforce the Limits

• Stable limits: the same time every day, no negotiating the «how much».
• Advance warning: give a 10-minute heads-up before the end.
• Automatic tools: a parental control to limit screen time keeps you from being the «bad guy».
• Screen-free zones: keep the table and bedroom device-free.