Screen Time - The Basics

Key points about screen time

• screens are becoming a big part of everyday life for many tamariki and rangatahi
• research shows that too much screen time can affect your child's health and well-being
• understanding screen time will help you manage your child's electronic device use in a healthy way

What is screen time?

Screen time refers to the total time someone spends using electronic devices with screens. Activities that tamariki and rangatahi do during screen time include watching videos, playing games, interacting on social media, and browsing the internet.

Why is it important to know about screen time?

Screens are a big part of everyday life for many tamariki and rangatahi. It is important for parents and whānau to know about 'screen time' so you can help support your child to use screens in a healthy and balanced way. 

It’s normal to have questions and concerns about managing screen time in your household. See below for some tips and suggestions that may help you find a balanced and healthy approach to screen time for your whānau. 

What are the different types of screen time? 

Screen time can be split into different categories based on the activities that your child is doing while using screens. 

Passive screen time

Passive screen time involves activities where tamariki and rangatahi look at content without engaging with it. This includes scrolling through social media feeds, watching TV, and browsing YouTube videos that have no interactive elements.

Interactive screen time

Interactive screen time is when tamariki and rangatahi actively engage, mentally or physically, with the activity on the screen. Examples include playing video games that involve problem-solving or using educational apps.

Social screen time

Social or communication screen time includes socialising with others. Video calls with friends or whānau, messaging, and participating in online social communities are all examples of social screen time.

Creative screen time

Creative screen time involves creating or producing something. This could be a movie, music, website or a piece of art. Coding also counts as creative screen time. 

Educational screen time

Educational screen time includes interactive learning apps, educational videos, e-books, and online educational programs.

How can I manage my child's screen time in a healthy way?

There are many ways you can help your child manage their screen time in a healthy way. It's important to always monitor the nature of the content your child is watching to check it is appropriate for them. Being a good role model, setting parental controls, and engaging with your child during screen time are all ways to help your child manage their screen time in a healthy way. 

See the KidsHealth page on tips for managing your child's screen time for more ideas

How much screen time is too much for my child?

Some parents may find it useful to limit their child’s screen time. But, limiting screen time may not suit all families. Previously, specific screentime caps were recommended for different age groups. While there is still value in limiting screen time for younger tamariki under 2 years of age, the focus has shifted to monitoring the quality of screen time.

To monitor the quality of your child's screen time you could focus on: 

• when your child has screen time
• where they have screen time
• how they use screens
• what they watch or do on their screens
• how it affects their relationships with friends and whānau 

Take a look at this video on the Raising Children Australia website that talks about focusing on the quality of the screen time your child is having.

How does screen time affect my child's health?

Researchers continue to study the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi. Research shows that too much screen time can negatively impact young people's health, well-being and development. 

Research has found that too much screen time for tamariki and rangatahi affects different aspects of their health and wellbeing. It can affect their:  

• vision and eye health
• sleep
• brain development 
• physical health
• mental and emotional wellbeing

The following KidsHealth pages have more information about the impacts of screen time on your child's health.

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and eye health in children for more information

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and sleep for more information

See the KidsHealth page on screen time and brain development for more information

Current knowledge and developing research

Researchers are continuing to better understand the impact of screen time on tamariki and rangatahi. A lot of existing knowledge comes mainly from observational research. This sort of research makes it challenging to separate the effects of screen time from other factors influencing a child's health and development. Most of the research to date is based on TV watching. Other screen types, like smartphones and gaming devices, are actively being researched.