Screen time for toddlers: tips and expert advice

Managing screen time for toddlers is a concern many parents face today. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding them completely before 18 months. But screens are everywhere, which could make it difficult to shield your child from them completely. The good news is that there are many ways you can limit screen time effectively, and even utilize technology as a helpful parenting tool. We’ve outlined real tips from parenting experts to help you find a healthy balance of screen time for your little ones. 

When should you prioritize limiting screen time for your toddler?

The AAP says screens can be used in moderation after about 18 months of age, but only with a caregiver and for a limited amount of time. For children below the age of two, there are also specific times of day when using screens could still be potentially damaging to their development: during meals and before bed.

Generally, child behavioral experts recommend avoiding screens at meals. This is because teaching your child how to eat and engage properly with their food is an important part of development. The goal is for children to be excited about eating to ensure they get the nutrients needed for growth, but also so they learn how to communicate and behave at the table. If your toddler expects to use the iPad over dinner, odds are they’ll lose interest in eating and having a conversation. 

Similarly, experts advise against looking at screens before bedtime. Screentime is proven to affect both the ability to fall and stay asleep, which in turn affects development and overall mood. Not to mention exposure to screens at ages 0-3 can be detrimental to language development. Reading books together before bed is a healthier alternative that can better support your child’s language skills, as well as their ability to have a good night’s sleep.   

How to manage screen time for toddlers: 5 effective tips

Set clear expectations and boundaries

Finding a balanced approach to screen time is often more practical than attempting to eliminate it entirely. Instead, consider allowing your child to use screens during specific times with clear boundaries.

Parenting expert Dr. Becky tells her own kids how much time they’re allowed to be online before they’re given a device. Using her method, we recommend telling your child that they can watch one episode of their favorite show, but after thirty minutes their screen time is up. That way, it will come as no surprise when you enforce the rules. 

Another way to stay firm is to set child locks and screen time limits in your device settings. Some platforms allow you to set restrictions through the platform itself to ensure your child does not search the web or go over the agreed upon time-limit. A popular strategy for special circumstances is to tell your child a little white lie like, ‘The Wifi will go out after thirty minutes,’ to mitigate an inevitable tantrum. This works well for the days your toddler is feeling extra moody, as removing the blame from yourself and putting it on outside factors might make the rules easier to accept. 

Make it an interactive experience

A slow and steady approach that gradually incorporates screen time into your child’s life is the recommended route. Whether watching a show or playing a game, try to make using technology an interactive activity. Sometimes you won’t have the time or energy to be a tech guide, and that’s okay. You can still further engage your toddler by asking them specific questions about what they’re doing. Asking them prompts like, ‘What did you learn from Ms. Rachel today?’ enhances the experience by encouraging growth in developmental skills like language, storytelling, memory and comprehension. 

Be proactive when the screen time is coming to an end

When it’s almost time to transition into another activity, gently offering a distraction tends to be more effective than giving a five-minute warning. For example, you can set up the beginning of a play area for them to complete when their screen time ends and say something like ‘Can you help me finish building this lego tower?” This will distract your toddler from a possible temper tantrum and immediately pique their interest in another activity. Creating a seamless transition like this brings about a positive association with their screen time ending instead of a negative one, and might even mitigate a tantrum completely.  

"Decreasing your own screen time when you’re with your toddler will achieve a dual goal"

Lead by example

Children learn the most not by what you say, but by what you do. Of course, you should still communicate the rules verbally. But leading by example and actually following them yourself is the most effective way to get your little ones to do the same. This means that if you don’t want your kids to use devices at the table, it’s crucial for them to see that you’re not on your phone at dinner, either. "Decreasing your own screen time when you’re with your toddler will achieve a dual goal: it will teach them to spend less time in front of screens themselves, and also allow you to spend more quality time with them." —Doona’s Pediatric Medical Advisor, Dr. Ben P. MD 

As long as you remain consistent with the rules and encourage your toddler to develop healthy habits, it’s okay to let them engage with technology for short periods every once in a while. In fact, sometimes it can be a valuable learning experience for your child. There are endless websites, networks, and platforms conducive to children’s learning and development, just be sure to check that they’re age-appropriate for your toddler. 

Offer alternative activities 

There are a wide range of screen-free activities for toddlers you can offer as an alternative to playing on the iPad or watching TV. Educational toys like puzzles or building blocks that promote problem solving are a great place to start. Hands-on creative projects like arts and crafts are another activity that tend to hold their attention for longer. Outdoor play such as going to the park or riding a tricycle strengthens muscles, and is a great way to help your toddler prepare for their afternoon nap. Overall, engaging activities lay the foundation for a well-rounded, healthy childhood, and usually provide more meaningful experiences than screen time. 

At Doona, we believe parenting should be as simple and fun as possible, that’s why we make innovative products like our Doona Car Seat and Stroller, which transforms from car seat to stroller in seconds, or our Liki Trike, the most compact folding trike on the market. We hope these tips make it easier to teach your toddler how to foster a healthy relationship with technology. Building healthy habits early on is important for encouraging a balanced lifestyle for years to come!