How much screen time is okay for a toddler?
Canadian guidance recommends no screen time for children under two (other than video-chatting with family), and no more than one hour a day of good-quality screen time for children aged two to five — with less being better. Just as important as the amount is co-viewing, keeping screens out of the bedroom, and protecting time for sleep, play, and interaction.
Points clés
- The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends no screen time for children under two (video-chatting with family is an exception) and under one hour a day for ages two to five, with less being better.
- How screens are used matters as much as the amount: co-view and talk about what you see, choose high-quality content, and keep screens away from meals and the hour before bed.
- The main concern at this age is what screens displace — sleep, active play, and back-and-forth interaction that drives early development. Keep screens out of the bedroom.
The numbers
The Canadian Paediatric Society advises minimizing screen time for young children: for children under two, screen time is not recommended (video-chat with family is an exception); for ages two to five, limiting routine or regular screen time to less than one hour per day. The American Academy of Pediatrics gives closely aligned guidance for these ages.
It is not just about minutes
Both bodies emphasize how screens are used: watch together and talk about what you see, choose high-quality content, keep screens away from meals and the hour before bed, and keep them out of the bedroom. The concern at this age is mainly what screens displace — sleep, active play, and back-and-forth interaction that drives early development.
A realistic view
These are guidelines, not a verdict on any single day. The Canadian guidance itself frames the goal as building healthy habits over time, not eliminating every screen. If screen use is crowding out sleep or play, or you have concerns, your provider can help you find a balance that fits your family.
Les parents demandent aussi
- Is video-chatting with grandparents screen time?
- Video-chatting is treated as an exception in the guidance even for children under two, because it is interactive and social rather than passive viewing.
- What matters more, the amount or the content?
- Both matter. Limits are recommended, but co-viewing, high-quality content, and protecting sleep and play are emphasized just as strongly.
Sources
- Canadian Paediatric Society — Caring for Kids
No screen time under two; under one hour a day for ages two to five; co-view and keep screens out of bedrooms.
- American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org
Avoid screens under 18–24 months apart from video chat; limit and co-view for ages two to five.