By Eugen Alexandru Bughiu, founder of RURU · Updated October 2026 · We make RURU and RIRI, and we say so where it matters.
The main guidelines agree on the early years: no screens for babies under about 18 months to 2 years except video calls or shared activities, and no more than one hour a day for ages 2 to 5, ideally watched together. For children 6 and older there is no single official number. The American Academy of Pediatrics asks families to make a plan that protects sleep, physical activity, homework and time together, rather than counting minutes alone.
We make RURU, a screen-free AI plush toy, so we care about this topic for obvious reasons. Below we summarize what each source actually says, with links, so you can decide for your own family.
Key takeaways
- Under 2: avoid screens, except shared activities like video calls with family.
- 2 to 5: up to one hour a day, less is better, and together where possible.
- 6 and up: no fixed limit. Focus on sleep, activity, content quality and screen-free times.
- Everyone: no screens in the hour before bed, and none at mealtimes.
Screen time recommendations by age at a glance
| Age | WHO (2019) | UK government (2026) | AAP (5 Cs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | No screen time | Avoid, except shared activities | Video chats with family can help; cartoons and nursery rhyme videos not recommended |
| 1 year | No sedentary screen time | Avoid, except shared activities | Same infant guidance up to 18 months |
| 2 to 4 | No more than 1 hour; less is better | No more than 1 hour a day | Age-based 5 Cs handout and a family media plan |
| 5 | Not covered | No more than 1 hour a day | Family media plan |
| 6 to 12 | Not covered | Not covered | Family media plan using the 5 Cs |
The AAP's current parent guidance is built around its 5 Cs and a family media plan rather than a fixed number of hours. For infants, its 5 Cs advice says video chats with loved ones can be beneficial, but cartoons or nursery rhyme videos are not recommended, and songs and stories in your own voice make more of a positive impact than any video.
What each source says
World Health Organization
The WHO's 2019 guidelines for children under 5 recommend no screen time for infants under 1, no sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds, and no more than one hour for children aged 2 to 4, with less being better. When children are sitting, the WHO encourages reading and storytelling with a caregiver.
UK government (March 2026)
The UK's new guidance for parents of under-5s, published on the Best Start in Life website, advises:
- Under 2s: avoid screen time other than for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation.
- 2 to 5-year-olds: try to keep it to no more than one hour a day, and avoid screens at mealtimes and in the hour before bed.
- Choose slow-paced, age-appropriate content. Fast-paced, social media-style videos and AI toys or tools should be avoided for young children.
- Watching or using screens together is better for development than solo use.
The same announcement notes that 24% of parents of 3 to 5-year-olds find it hard to control their child's screen time, and 98% of two-year-olds watch screens every day. If you find this hard, you are clearly not alone.
American Academy of Pediatrics
The AAP's 5 Cs of Media Use is a framework rather than a stopwatch: Child (what suits your child's age and personality), Content (what they watch or play), Calm (whether screens are used to soothe), Crowding out (what screens replace) and Communication (talking about media together). Its family media plan suggests screen-free zones such as the dinner table, homework and before bed, turning off autoplay and notifications, and keeping room for reading, outdoor play and family games.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The UK's paediatricians said in 2019 that there was not enough evidence to set a single safe limit, and advised families to avoid screens in the hour before bed, as reported by the BBC.
How much screen time for a 5 or 6 year old?
This is one of the most searched questions, and it sits right where the guidance changes. For a 5-year-old, the UK guidance says no more than one hour a day. From 6, there is no official number, so many families keep a similar daily limit on school days and relax it a little at weekends. What matters more is what screens are pushing out: sleep, outdoor play, reading and time with you.
If you want a rule of thumb, ask three questions each day: did my child sleep well, move a lot and have real conversations? If yes, your balance is probably fine.
Practical ways to stick to your limits
- Pick fixed screen-free times: meals, the car on short trips and the hour before bed.
- Replace, don't just remove. Have a basket of alternatives ready: books, drawing, building toys, audio stories.
- Turn off autoplay on video apps, as the AAP suggests.
- Use a visual timer so the end of screen time is not a surprise.
- Co-view when you can, and talk about what you watched.
- Model it yourself. Children notice when adults' phones stay on the table.
For step-by-step ideas, see how to reduce screen time for kids and tablet alternatives for kids.
Is RURU right for your child?
RURU is a plush toy with no screen and no ads. Your child presses the button, asks a question and hears the answer out loud, or asks for a story. A parent sets it up once in the free app, then your child uses it without a screen. It is one way to fill the "I'm bored, can I have the tablet?" moments for children who are 6 and older, which is the age we recommend it for.
It is not a good fit for under-5s, since the UK guidance advises against AI toys for young children. For that age, books, play and simple audio stories are better. See RURU or read our screen-free bedtime stories guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much screen time should a 2 to 4 year old have?
The WHO recommends no more than one hour a day for ages 2 to 4, with less being better. The UK's 2026 guidance says no more than one hour a day for 2 to 5-year-olds.
How much screen time for a 5 year old?
UK guidance published in 2026 suggests no more than one hour a day for 2 to 5-year-olds, avoiding screens at mealtimes and in the hour before bed.
Is there a screen time limit for children over 6?
There is no single official number. The AAP recommends a family media plan that protects sleep, physical activity, homework and time together, using its 5 Cs framework.
Should babies have any screen time?
The WHO recommends no screen time for babies under 1. The UK guidance suggests avoiding screens for under 2s except shared activities like video calls that encourage interaction.
When should screens stop before bed?
The UK government's 2026 guidance and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health both advise avoiding screens in the hour before bed.