This guidance is found in our Guide. If you use it in your content, please make sure to attribute the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Birth – Preschool (0-5 years)

For children under 18 months, try to limit the use of digital devices and media to video chatting with family and friends. 

For toddlers, screen time can be expanded to include watching child-centered programming (see recommendations below for evaluating media) with an engaged parent or caregiver when possible.

For children ages 3-5, receptive screen time (such as watching videos) should be limited to their attention span for each viewing, and no more than 2 hours total per day.

Grade Schoolers – Tween (6-12 years)

For grade-schoolers, screens should be used in moderation, with purpose, and in balance with time spent on a variety of non-screen activities like physical activity.

For pre-adolescent “tweens,” continue to monitor and guide their use of screens and set clear expectations and boundaries to prepare them to transition into more independent digital media use as teenagers.

Teens & Young Adults (13-22 years)

Parents should support their teens’ and young adults’ media boundaries, but intervene when necessary to help them stay safe and healthy online while building skills for lifelong digital wellness.