Screen time

How to reduce screen time

It's important to find a balance between using technology and supporting your child's development. There are lots of things you can do to reduce your child's screen time. 

1. Talk and play together

Talking face-to-face is one of the best ways to support speech and language. Ask questions, explain what you’re doing and play together every day.

2. Limit screen time

Try to keep screen time to around 1 hour a day for older children and teenagers. Babies, toddlers and younger children do not need screen time.

3. Encourage other activities

Spend time talking to or playing with your child away from screens. Read books together, do arts and crafts or play outside. These activities help your child learn, move and use their imagination. Read more about ideas to keep children active.

Try not to use screens to calm or distract your child. This can make it harder to manage their emotions as they get older.

4. Set a routine

Avoid screen use 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. This helps your child to relax and get into a good sleep routine. Keep screens out of the bedroom overnight. Read more about healthy sleep routines.

5. Be active

Encourage your child to move and play outside. Outdoor play lets them experience different colours, sounds, animals and people. These are great opportunities for learning and talking.

Try to encourage your child to find ways of being active that they enjoy. This will help to keep them motivated. Read more about keeping babies, children and teenagers active.

6. Create screen-free zones

Keep places like the bedroom, kitchen table and cars free from screens. Use these spaces for talking, reading and spending quality time together. Make sure adults follow the same rules.

7. Use screens together

Watch or play alongside your child. Talk about what you see, such as the characters, locations or scenes. You could try copying a favourite character or acting out a scene together. Try to predict what might happen next or connect the storylines to real life experiences. This turns screen time into a fun learning opportunity.

Spend time online together to help your child get the most out of educational content. Talk to your child about what they are doing on their phones and computers. Read more about technology and online safety.

8. Be a role model

Children learn best by watching adults. Limiting your own screen time shows your child how to use technology in a healthy balanced way.

When is the right time for a child to have a mobile phone? 

There is no law in place to suggest what age a child is allowed to have a mobile phone. It is your choice as a parent or carer. Be aware that the risks increase when children are able to access the internet on their smartphone.

Some very young children have a mobile phone, but most parents wait until their child is about to start secondary school.

You might want to consider:

• Does my child need a phone or do they just want one?
• Setting up password access to the app store so that you have to approve any apps they download or content that they pay for
• Purchasing a basic feature phone. These tend to be cheaper and are less likely to be targeted by thieves
• Downloading a location tracking app if your child has a smartphone. This can help if you want to check where your child is
• Setting ground rules with your child about using their phone and checking in with them regularly
• Make sure you are confident about keeping your child safe online.