Tools · Screen-Free
Screen Time Calculator
Free screen time calculator. Enter your child's age to see commonly recommended daily screen time limits and guidance for that age group.
These reflect commonly cited pediatric guidance, not a strict rule for every family — quality of content and co-viewing matter as much as the clock.
How These Guidelines Are Framed
Commonly cited pediatric guidance suggests avoiding screen use (other than video chatting) under about 18 months, introducing only high-quality co-viewed content between 18–24 months, limiting screen time to around 1 hour per day of high-quality programming for ages 2–5, and for children 6 and up, shifting from a strict hour count toward consistent family media rules that protect sleep, physical activity, and in-person time.
What fills the screen-free hours matters just as much as the limit itself — open-ended play, reading, and outdoor time all support development in ways passive screen time does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is screen time discouraged under 18–24 months?
Video chat with family is generally treated as an exception, but passive screen viewing under about 18–24 months is commonly discouraged because very young children learn language and social skills far more effectively from live back-and-forth interaction with a caregiver than from a screen, and early heavy screen use has been associated with delayed language development in research.
Is all screen time treated equally?
No — guidance generally distinguishes between passive viewing (shows, videos) and educational or interactive content, and between solo screen use and co-viewing with a parent who talks about what's on screen. Co-viewing high-quality, age-appropriate content is usually considered more valuable than the same amount of solo screen time.
What about school-age children — is there still a strict time limit?
For children 6 and older, major pediatric guidance has shifted away from a single strict hour limit toward a more holistic approach: making sure screen time doesn't crowd out sleep, physical activity, and in-person interaction, and setting consistent family media rules rather than counting minutes precisely.
What counts as "screen time" — does this include video calls or educational apps?
Most guidance excludes live video chatting with family from screen time limits, since it's interactive and social. Educational apps and co-viewed content are often treated more favorably than passive solo viewing, though total daily screen exposure is still worth being mindful of.
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