Managing screen use: Advice for parents

Screens are part of everyday life, but they can be harmful to a child’s development if they take up too much space in their routine. It’s important to teach children how to use screens responsibly right from the start. Doing so makes it easier to establish good habits.

Additional reading on this topic:

• Screens and children
• Screen use: Striking the right balance (in French)
• Children and video games

What are the recommendations for children’s screen time?

Here are the recommendations issued by the Quebec government and the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS).

• Before age 2: No screens, including television. They can, however, take part in video calls to connect with loved ones.
• 2 to 5 year olds: No more than 1 hour of total screen time per day.
• Ages 6+: 6 to 12 year olds should spend no more than 2 hours a day on screens for leisure activities (things other than schoolwork), according to recommendations put forward by the Quebec government. The CPS makes no screen time recommendations for children over 5, but physical, social, and school activities, as well as sleep, should always come first.

In addition to respecting the recommended time limits, it’s important to prioritize educational apps and content.

How should you manage screen use at home?

Your child may really enjoy screen time, but it’s important to set limits and teach them how to use screens properly. Here’s what you can do to manage screen time at home and teach your child how to use screens responsibly.

• Talk to your child about screen use (TV, tablet, phone, computer, etc.) as soon as they start using these devices. Set clear rules to establish good habits right from the start.
• Stay nearby while your child is playing a game or watching a video or TV show, rather than leaving them alone. This way, you can chat with them about new things they’re learning or seeing and answer any questions they may have.
• Turn off the TV when no one is watching it. The constant background noise of television has been shown to impair children’s learning.
• Keep TVs and other screens off during mealtimes to encourage conversation. In addition, using screens while eating has been associated with weight gain. When you and your child are focused on a show or video, you’re less attuned to your hunger and satiety cues.
• Together with your child, pick specific times for screen use. It’s better to set specific times with clear limits than to let them watch here and there throughout the day.
• Put screens away when not in use. They’re less tempting when they’re out of sight.
• Keep your TV and devices in a high-traffic area. This makes it easier to manage your child’s screen time. It also gives you the opportunity to talk about what they like to do online.
• Do not allow television or other screens in your child’s room. Doing so may increase their screen time and interfere with sleep. It also increases their likelihood of being exposed to inappropriate content.
• Set up parental controls on your devices. Some internet providers offer parental control settings. You can also download an application designed for this purpose.

• Encourage your child to do a wide range of activities (e.g., physical activities, board games, drawing, crafts, puzzles, hunting for bugs, hide-and-seek). Children need to play with real objects, move their bodies, and interact with people in the real world to develop properly.
• Teach your child how to turn off your devices and TV as soon as they are able to. It’s a positive way to empower them and help them accept that screen time is over. Over time, it will also teach them self-control.
• Don’t withhold screen time as a punishment. Taking it away will only make screens more attractive. A more effective approach is to require your child to do certain tasks before screen time (e.g., putting away toys, finishing homework).
• Give your child a heads-up a few minutes before asking them to turn off the TV or device, so that they aren’t taken by surprise. If there are just a few minutes left before the end of the show, let them finish it. Forcing them to end screen time so close to the end of a show they love is no different than your own favourite show being cut off with 5 minutes to go!
• If your child gets angry when screen time’s over, stay calm and hold your boundary. Children need to learn how to stop doing an enjoyable activity when they need to. It’s a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their life. Remember, your child needs to do a wide variety of activities.
• Be a role model for your child by limiting your own screen time. Avoid using screens by default when you have free time, and don’t check your phone when you’re doing something with your child.
• Turn off screens at least 1 hour before your child’s bedtime to avoid disrupting their sleep.

How do you choose appropriate content?

• Make sure that the movies, shows, videos, and apps that your child is exposed to are in line with your values and are free of violence and characters that might frighten your child. For practical guidance, check out the Entertainment Software Rating Board, which rates video games and apps by age, or Common Sense Media, which reviews media content aimed at children (movies, shows, apps, video games, books, YouTube channels).
• Choose TV shows appropriate for the youngest child watching.
• Choose apps that require your child to think and actively participate in the game over passive ones that simply require repetitive movements like screen swiping.
• Choose apps that encourage social interaction. For example, some make it possible to work together on a drawing, and others encourage communication.
• Choose apps that help your child make connections with the world around them. For example, an app that prompts them to find triangle-shaped objects around the house and photograph them with your help will be more rewarding than one where they are simply asked to recognize a triangle among other shapes.

• The Canadian site IDÉLLO can help you choose the best option from the wide range of educational content designed for tablets. It features app reviews by independent experts.

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• Test out apps before letting your child use them, and take a close look at the available options. This way, you’ll know whether the game is suitable for your child’s age. Prioritize content that helps them learn.
• Choose ad-free apps. Young children aren’t mature enough to differentiate advertising from other content. If they’re exposed to ads too often, they’ll probably start asking for the items being promoted. You should also look out for the mention “in-app purchases.” This often means you’ll have to pay to continue the game, even if it starts out free.
• Don’t let your child watch adult programming (e.g., TV series, crime shows, news broadcasts), as more and more studies show that mature content can affect children. If your child is exposed to adult programming, a grown-up should be there to explain what they are seeing on the screen and answer any questions.
• As they get older, encourage your child to tell you if they come across any strange, violent, or inappropriate content online. Explain that it’s for their own safety.

Things to keep in mind

• Teaching your child to use screens responsibly is important, because habits are formed more easily from the start.
• Even if screens are part of everyday life, you need to set clear limits so that your child spends enough time doing other activities that promote a healthy lifestyle (physical activity, eating, sleeping, etc.).
• There is educational content available on tablets and other devices, but it’s most effective if you remain present while they play and learn in this way.

Scientific review: Marie-Anne Sergerie, PhD, psychologist Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: May 2026

Photos: GettyImages/Geber86, katleho Seisa, and anandaBGD