TV Screen Time Recommendations for Kids Ages 2 – 17

 The television is a good appliance for entertainment and a source of information, but it can also be a medium of time wastage. Kids need entertainment and all the relevant information a television can offer, but they also need to be monitored so that they don’t spend the whole day sitting in front of the TV. There should be time for other activities and not only the TV.  Follow this screen time recommendation for kids age 2-17 for better time allocation. 

1. Put off the TV at meal times/bed times and time to do assignment 

The television can be a great distractor for kids especially when they have seen a program that picks their interest. For all ages, it is best you put off the TV at times mentioned above to allow the kids concentrate on what they are doing at the moment. 

2. Kids 2-5 years

Kids 2-5 years are those that can watch a cartoon the whole day and also believe that what happens in the movie is totally true, e.g., a house moving. This age bracket also needs plenty of rest for growth. It is best practice that they have about 3hours of entertainment programs over the weekend and 1 hour of entertainment programs on weekdays. 

3. Kids 6-12 years

Kids 5-10 years will have a lot of assignments to finish when they return from school, this age bracket craves cartoons also but they are gradually coming to understand that what they see on screen is not reality. For this age bracket, 3hours of entertainment programs on weekends and 2hours entertainment programs on weekdays should be given. 

4. Kids 13-17 years

From 13 years, they are already in their teen age and have a better understanding about life, more academic work and targets to meet up with; there is also social pressure to cope with. This age bracket also needs more information and more study time. These age group should also be given 3hors of entertainment programs on weekends and 2hours entertainment programs on weekdays. However, because of their understanding, they can be given little freedom once they understand what is meant by “healthy habit and lifestyle”.

Bonne Chance!!