Screen time and digital technology use for babies and toddlers

Current national and international guidelines recommend that children under 2 years don’t have screen time other than video-chatting with family and family friends.

Very young children learn best from everyday experiences like physical play, playing outside, reading, creative play and social time with family and friends.

Video-chatting is OK because your child is interacting with another person. Video-chatting can be good for your child’s social and language development. It can also help your child to bond with family and friends.

Role-modelling healthy habits for screen time and digital technology use

Developing healthy habits for screen time and digital technology use is important for children.

Even if your baby or toddler isn’t using digital technology, your baby sees how you use it and learns from you. That’s because you’re a powerful role model for your child. You can help your child develop healthy habits by using digital technology the way you want your child to use it in the future.

Even when your child is very young, you can start modelling healthy digital technology use. For example:

• Switch your phone off during meals.
• Turn the TV off when you’ve finished watching a program.
• Balance your screen time with activities like outdoor activities, physical activities and reading.
• Give your child your full attention and avoid checking your phone when you’re playing together or feeding your child.

Exposure to screens and digital technology

Your family is likely to have a range of digital technology like televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming devices and smartwatches. This means that your baby or toddler might see images on screens, even if they’re not using the screens themselves.

It’s good to be aware of what your child might be seeing or hearing. For example, images on the news or in video games can be violent and distressing, even for very young children who might not fully understand what they’re seeing or hearing.

It’s best to avoid screens in the background altogether, because they can distract babies and toddlers. Babies and toddlers might stop playing or interacting with family and focus on the screens instead.