Screens are part of daily life. Your child will use them at school, at home, and eventually at work. The goal is not zero screen time — it is better screen time.
A simple way to judge any screen activity is to ask two questions: Is my child doing something, or just watching? And: Could they tell me one thing they learned or made? If the answer to both is no, that session is probably passive screen time. Passive time — scrolling videos, watching content back-to-back, playing games that need no thought — gives the brain very little. Active screen time, such as following a drawing tutorial, typing a story, or using a learning app, gives much more.
A quick check before each session
Before your child sits down with a device, run through this short list:
- Is there a clear start and end? Open-ended sessions run long. A 30-minute timer is easier to enforce than "a little while."
- Is the content made for their age? A six-year-old watching content aimed at teenagers will see things they are not ready for.
- Will they move their body at some point today? Screen time and physical activity need to balance each other, not replace each other.
- Is it close to bedtime? Bright screens in the hour before sleep make it harder for children to fall asleep and stay asleep.
If you can say yes to the first three and no to the last one, the session is likely fine.
Realistic daily limits
Health organisations recommend no more than one hour of screen time per day for children aged two to five, and consistent, reasonable limits for children aged six and older. The word "consistent" matters more than the exact number. A rule that holds on school days and weekends is far more useful than a strict rule that breaks down by Saturday morning.
A workable approach for primary-age children is to allow screens only after homework and outdoor play are finished. This puts screens at the end of the afternoon rather than the start, which protects learning time without parents needing to argue about it every day.
What about school work on a device?
Screen time for school work is different. Reading on a tablet, practising through a learning app, or researching a project all count as active, purposeful use. You do not need to include this in the daily limit. Even so, it helps to set a comfortable chair, good lighting, and a short break roughly every 45 minutes.
The same principle applies at SSELC. We encourage students to use digital tools with a clear purpose, not just to fill time. If you would like to know more about how we support learning at school, you are welcome to visit our methodology page.