As of July 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) maintain screen time guidelines for children. For infants under 1 year, screen time is not recommended, except for video calls. For children aged 2 to 5, the AAP recommends no more than 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, with parental co-viewing.
For children aged 6 and older, the AAP advises consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors. The WHO similarly recommends that children aged 5-17 should limit sedentary recreational screen time and prioritize physical activity.
Recent studies in 2025-2026 have emphasized the importance of screen-free time before bedtime, with experts suggesting no screens for at least 1 hour before sleep to improve sleep quality. Additionally, parents are encouraged to create a family media plan that balances screen use with other activities.
