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Guide · Screen time

Screen time by age: what experts recommend and what it means in everyday life

From “not at all” to “two hours at most”: the recommendations of the professional societies are clearer than many people think. We go through them age group by age group and say where they reach their limits.

· 3 min read

By Redaktion familydevice

On this page
  1. Where the recommendations come from
  2. The guideline values by age group
  3. What the WHO and paediatricians in the USA say
  4. Why minutes aren’t everything
  5. How to put this into practice

How much is too much? Almost all parents ask themselves this question, and very different figures are circulating online. The good news: in Germany there is a medical guideline that gives concrete guideline values. The less good news: minutes alone don’t answer the question. In this guide we show the recommendations by age, explain where they come from and what they mean in everyday family life.

Where the recommendations come from

In Germany, the most important basis is the S2k guideline on preventing dysregulated screen media use in childhood and adolescence, developed under the lead of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin [1]. An S2k guideline is based on a structured consensus of professional societies: it brings together studies and clinical experience, but it is neither a law nor a yardstick for individual children. There is a separate, easy-to-read short version for parents [2].

Internationally, many recommendations are based on those of the World Health Organization [3] and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [4].

The guideline values by age group

A word of caution when passing this on: for the younger children, the guideline speaks of “occasional days”. It does not mean that 30 minutes should be planned in every day. Many summaries online turn this into “30 minutes a day”.

What the WHO and paediatricians in the USA say

The AAP’s more recent policy statement from 2026 is notable [5]: it focuses less on the number of minutes than on how digital services are designed (for example endless scrolling or videos that start automatically) and what responsibility providers bear for this.

Why minutes aren’t everything

For older children, the SCHAU HIN! initiative suggests a weekly budget, for example one hour per year of age per week, which children divide up themselves [6]. This combines a clear framework with growing self-regulation.

How to put this into practice

If you notice that media use is leading to arguments, sleep problems or withdrawal, that is a good reason to talk to your paediatric practice. It is not a failure, but exactly what the guideline was written for.

Sources

  1. [1]AWMF / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin (2023): S2k-Leitlinie zur Prävention dysregulierten Bildschirmmediengebrauchs in Kindheit und Jugend (AWMF-Register 027-075)
  2. [2]AWMF / Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin (2024): Elternversion der S2k-Leitlinie zur Prävention dysregulierten Bildschirmmediengebrauchs
  3. [3]Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) (2019): Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age
  4. [4]American Academy of Pediatrics (2016): Media and Young Minds (Policy Statement, Pediatrics 138/5)
  5. [5]American Academy of Pediatrics (2026): Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents (Policy Statement, Pediatrics 157/2)
  6. [6]SCHAU HIN! Was Dein Kind mit Medien macht. (2024): Medienzeiten: Feste Bildschirmzeiten für Kinder vereinbaren

Further reading