Screen time means time you spend on a computer, TV, gaming device, tablet, or phone.
A young child needs to play, move their body, and connect with other people of all ages. Too much screen time can get in the way of that and affect your child’s development, including their communication skills.
You can learn about screen time and how to
set healthy screen-time limits. This will help you support your child’s learning and development as they grow.
Note: Screen time does not include tools, strategies, or devices that support communication, called
augmentative and alternative communication.
Screen time and communication skills
Children learn best how to communicate by being face-to-face with others.
When children are on screens, they are not interacting with people, playing, or doing activities. This means less time to develop speech, language, social skills, and thinking skills.
Children’s screen time
Simply having the TV on in the background can affect your child’s play and prevent them from connecting with you and others around them.
A child who has a lot of screen time may have:
- a higher chance of speech, language, reading, and attention issues
- a smaller vocabulary (the number of words they know and use)
Caregivers’ screen time
The time parents or caregivers spend on a screen can also affect communication between you and your child.
Children need to hear your words and have conversations with you to learn language. They need parents and caregivers to respond to their sounds, words, actions and facial expressions.
You speak fewer words to your child when you are on a screen. You can also miss your child’s messages when you’re looking at a screen.
Screen-time limits
Show your child how to balance screen time with other activities. To model healthy habits:
- Be aware of how much time you spend on screens.
- Turn off screens during meals.
- Turn off screens in the background.
- Look at the person who is talking instead of at a screen.
- Set family rules about how much and where screens can be used. This includes having time without screens (screen-free time).
When your child is on a screen, always know what they are watching. Find content with messages that are right for your child’s age and development.
Educational apps, shows, games
Children learn best from talking and being with you and others face-to-face. Talking with and playing with your child away from screens is the best way to help them learn language.
Reading apps, e-books, and educational shows can be helpful when you and your child use them together. Keep using paper books to help your child learn early literacy skills.
Be aware of shows, apps, or games that claim to teach your child. Some may be advertised as “educational,” but there may be little proof they help your child learn.
Watch and talk together
When you offer screen time, choose shows or games that encourage your child to join in instead of just watching.
Use screen time to start a conversation. You could talk about what you are doing and seeing on the screen or what the characters are thinking and feeling.
Video calls are not considered regular screen time because they are interactive. During a video call, your child is talking and connecting with someone in real time. Video calls can be a good way to stay connected with friends and family.
Learn more
To learn more about screen time and children, visit:
