Screen time for under-5s: what the guidelines say
What the WHO's 2019 guidelines say about screen time for toddlers and children under 5, plus practical swaps and what to ask your child's daycare.
The World Health Organization's 2019 guidelines say screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 or for 1-year-olds. For children aged 2 to 4, sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour a day, and less is better. The guidance sits inside a bigger picture: move more, sit less and sleep well.
Here is what that means in a real home, and what to ask your daycare.
What the WHO guidelines actually say
In April 2019, the WHO published its guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5. Screen time is one part of it.
| Age | Sedentary screen time | Physical activity | Sleep (including naps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | Not recommended | Active several times a day; at least 30 minutes of tummy time for babies not yet mobile | 14 to 17 hours (0 to 3 months); 12 to 16 hours (4 to 11 months) |
| 1 year | Not recommended | At least 180 minutes a day, any intensity | 11 to 14 hours |
| 2 years | No more than 1 hour; less is better | At least 180 minutes a day, any intensity | 11 to 14 hours |
| 3 to 4 years | No more than 1 hour; less is better | At least 180 minutes, with at least 60 minutes moderate to vigorous | 10 to 13 hours |
The guidelines also say young children should not be restrained for more than an hour at a time, in a pram, high chair or carrier. When children are sitting still, reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.
What "sedentary screen time" means
The WHO gives examples: watching TV or videos and playing computer games. It is time spent sitting and watching, rather than moving, talking or playing.
The key word is the trade-off. An hour on a screen is an hour not spent climbing, chatting, building or napping.
Why the guidelines focus on the whole day
The guidance is not only about screens being bad. It is about what young children need more of: movement, sleep and time with people who talk and play with them.
That framing helps. Instead of a daily battle over the tablet, you can ask a simpler question. Did my child move a lot, sleep enough and have plenty of back-and-forth with an adult today?
Making it work at home
Few families hit every target every day. Aim for the direction, not perfection.
Practical swaps
- Mealtimes without screens. Talk about the food, the colours, the day.
- A basket instead of the phone. Keep a small box of books, blocks and crayons near where you work or cook.
- Audio over video. Songs and stories you listen to together keep hands and bodies free.
- Screens off before bed. A calm wind-down with a book suits the sleep targets better.
- Watch together when you do watch. Talk about what is on screen. It turns watching into a conversation.
When you need a break
Every parent has moments when a screen buys ten quiet minutes. That is real life. If a screen helps on a hard day, choose something slow-paced and keep it short.
Sudden switch-offs can trigger tears. A warning ("Two more minutes, then we're having bath") makes the transition easier. Our guide to toddler meltdowns has more on handling those moments.
Screen time at daycare and preschool
Your child may spend most waking hours at a centre, so its screen policy matters as much as yours.
Some centres use TVs for rhymes or to settle children before pickup. Others use none. Neither is automatically a red flag, but you should know what happens and why.
Questions to ask
Add these to your questions to ask on a daycare visit:
- "Do children watch screens here? For how long, and when?"
- "Is it different for under-2s?" A good answer: "We don't use screens with babies and toddlers."
- "What do children do in the last hour before pickup?" This is when screens often creep in.
- "Do you use tablets for learning?" Ask what children actually do on them, and for how long.
- "How much outdoor or active play do they get each day?"
A thoughtful answer sounds specific. "We play rhymes on a speaker and sing along, but we don't use a TV" tells you more than "very little screen time".
Good early learning is hands-on. Our guide to what good early learning looks like explains what to look for in the classroom instead.
Screen policy is one line on a longer list. Our daycare checklist covers the rest, from safety to food.
When Kribble launches, you'll be able to compare centres' approach and facilities side by side before you visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much screen time is okay for a 2-year-old?
The WHO's 2019 guidelines say sedentary screen time for 2-year-olds should be no more than one hour a day, and less is better. The same limit applies to children aged 3 and 4. The guidelines encourage reading and storytelling with a caregiver instead.
Is any screen time okay for babies under 1?
The WHO guidelines say screen time is not recommended for infants under 1, or for 1-year-olds. They suggest babies be active several times a day, including tummy time, and get plenty of sleep.
Should my child's daycare use TV or tablets?
Policies vary between centres, so ask directly. Find out how long screens are used, at what times of day, and whether under-2s are included. Plenty of active play and talk with carers is what you want to hear about.
What can I do instead of screens with a toddler?
Books, songs, simple building toys, crayons and outdoor play all work well. Audio stories and music keep children engaged without a screen. Including your child in everyday tasks, like sorting laundry, also counts as play.