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Free Tool — Based on WHO & AAP Guidelines

Screen Time Calculator for Kids

Find out how much screen time is healthy for your child based on their age. Get personalized recommendations and actionable tips.

Understanding Screen Time for Children

Screen time has become one of the most discussed topics in modern parenting. With children having access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs, managing their digital consumption is more important than ever.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have published evidence-based guidelines to help parents make informed decisions. These guidelines are based on research showing the impact of excessive screen time on sleep quality, physical development, cognitive function, and social skills in children.

Our screen time calculator uses these official guidelines to give you a personalized assessment for your child's specific age group. Simply enter your child's age and their current daily recreational screen time to get instant recommendations.

Screen Time Recommendations by Age

Age GroupRecommendedMax LimitAvg. Actual
Infant (0–18 months)0 min0 min30 min
Toddler (2–3 years)30 min1h1h 30m
Preschooler (4–5 years)1h1h2h
Early School Age (6–8 years)1h2h3h
Pre-Teen (9–12 years)1h 30m2h4h 30m
Young Teen (13–15 years)2h2h 30m7h
Older Teen (16–17 years)2h3h7h 30m

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).

Browse Exact-Age Screen Time Guides

Many parents search for screen time advice by exact age. Browse our age-specific guides to find a page that matches your child more closely.

Screen Time Calculator for 3-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 4-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 5-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 6-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 7-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 8-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 9-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 10-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 11-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 12-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 13-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for 15-Year-OldsScreen Time Calculator for Teenagers

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much screen time is healthy for kids?+
According to the WHO and AAP: children under 2 should have zero recreational screen time, ages 2-5 should have max 1 hour/day of high-quality content, and children 6+ should have consistent limits that ensure screen time doesn't interfere with sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face social time.
Does educational screen time count toward the daily limit?+
Most guidelines focus on recreational screen time. Educational content (homework, learning apps) is generally counted separately. However, all screen time contributes to eye strain and sedentary behavior, so balance is still important even with educational content.
How do I enforce screen time limits on my child's phone?+
You can use a parental control app like Notimate to set automatic screen time schedules, per-app time limits, and bedtime device locks on your child's Android phone. This removes the daily negotiation and conflict around screen time.
Is this screen time calculator free?+
Yes, completely free. No signup, no email, no data collected. The calculator runs entirely in your browser based on WHO and AAP published guidelines.
What are signs my child has too much screen time?+
Warning signs include: difficulty sleeping, declining school performance, loss of interest in offline activities, irritability when devices are taken away, reduced physical activity, eye strain complaints, and social withdrawal from family and friends.
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