The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends no screen use for children under 2, except video chatting with caring adults. For children 2 to 5, it advises limiting routine screen use to "about an hour or less per day." The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization agree: at age 2, one hour a day at most, ideally watched together.
How much screen time is recommended at each age?
Three major health bodies have published screen-time advice for young children: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the US, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS). Their wording differs a little, so here it is side by side, quoted from each source.
| Age | AAP | WHO | Canadian Paediatric Society |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | "Avoid digital media use (except video-chatting)" | "Screen time is not recommended." | "screen use is not recommended (they do not learn from it)"; video chatting with caring adults is the exception |
| 12 to 18 months | "Avoid digital media use (except video-chatting)" | For 1-year-olds, "sedentary screen time... is not recommended" | Not recommended under 2 (video chat aside) |
| 18 to 24 months | "if you want to introduce digital media, choose high-quality programming and use media together with your child" | For 1-year-olds, not recommended; at age 2, "no more than 1 hour; less is better" | Not recommended under 2 (video chat aside) |
| 2 years | "limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, coview with your children" | "no more than 1 hour; less is better" | "about an hour or less per day" |
| 3 to 4 years | Same as age 2 (the advice covers ages 2 to 5) | "no more than 1 hour; less is better" | "about an hour or less per day" |
| 5 years | Same as age 2 | The WHO guideline covers children under 5 | "about an hour or less per day" |
So for a 2-year-old, all three land in the same place: about an hour or less a day, of good-quality programming, with a grown-up nearby.
What does the American Academy of Pediatrics say?
The AAP's policy statement Media and Young Minds (2016) gives families this advice for ages 2 to 5: "limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, coview with your children, help children understand what they are seeing, and help them apply what they learn to the world around them."
It also says: "Avoid fast-paced programs (young children do not understand them as well), apps with lots of distracting content, and any violent content." And it is reassuring for parents who feel behind: "Do not feel pressured to introduce technology early."
On the AAP's parent site, HealthyChildren.org, a paediatrician puts the most important point simply: "Naturally, children learn more when they watch TV or use apps with a parent."
What does the World Health Organization say?
The WHO's 2019 guidelines for children under 5 treat screens as one part of a whole day of movement, sitting and sleep. For children aged 1 to 2, the WHO summary says: "For 1-year-olds, sedentary screen time (such as watching TV or videos, playing computer games) is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better."
The WHO also names what toddlers should do instead when they sit: "Quality sedentary time spent in interactive non-screen-based activities with a caregiver, such as reading, storytelling, singing and puzzles, is very important for child development."
Singing is right there on that list. That's good news, because it costs nothing and needs no screen.
What does the Canadian Paediatric Society say?
The CPS parent handout Screen use and young children (updated March 2025) starts with this: "Young children learn best from face-to-face interactions with caring adults."
Its practical tips are easy to put into a day:
- "Ideally, make screen use an activity you and your child do together. Watch with your child and talk about what you're seeing."
- "Avoid using screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime and keep all screens out of your child's bedroom."
- "Turn off screens when no one is using them, especially background TV."
- "Be a good role model with your own screen use—on all devices."
The handout is based on the CPS position statement Screen time and preschool children (posted November 2022), which replaced an older 2017 statement. If you find the 2017 version linked elsewhere, it has been retired.
Where do the AAP, WHO and CPS agree?
Read side by side, the three sources agree on five things:
- Less is better. One hour a day is a ceiling, not a target.
- Watch together. Co-viewing comes up again and again.
- Quality matters. Choose programming made for young children, with a clear learning goal.
- No screens before bed. Both the AAP and CPS say none in the hour before bedtime.
- Turn off background TV. HealthyChildren.org notes that "Normally a parent speaks about 940 words per hour when a toddler is around. With the television on, that number falls by 770!"
My child is under 2. Can we still enjoy the songs?
Yes, and you don't need a screen to do it. The AAP's guidance for infants says: "Songs and stories in your own voice are going to make more of a positive impact on your child than any video or cartoon."
You can find the full lyrics on our ABC song for toddlers page. Read them once and sing them at bath time, in the car or while you change a diaper. Go slowly, point to things around you, and let your little one join in with sounds, claps or a big smile. For more ideas, see our list of learning songs for toddlers, almost all of which are traditional songs you can sing from memory.
How do I choose good programming for a 2-year-old?
The AAP's YouTube and young children Q&A gives parents a short checklist. Look for channels where:
- "The characters/YouTubers are positive and kind."
- "They are not trying to sell your child anything or pressuring them to keep watching."
- "There are not too many ads that block the screen or interrupt the video."
- "You actually like watching along with your child."
The CPS adds: "Make sure your child watches programs you are familiar with." Our guide on how to watch YouTube with your toddler turns this into a simple five-step setup.
How do I make a simple family media plan?
The AAP offers a free Family Media Plan, and the CPS suggests one too, "to guide when, how and where screens can—and can't—be used." Keep yours short:
- When: one set time a day, for example after nap.
- How long: one or two short videos, well under the hour.
- Where: in the living room, with you, never in the bedroom.
- What next: an off-screen activity that is ready to go, such as a song, a book or a page from our printables.
If you'd like a ready-made plan, try our 15-minute daily song routine, which has an off-screen version of every step. You'll find more guides for families on our For Parents page.
Watch and sing together
If your child is 2 or older and you choose to watch, sit together for the ABC Song for Toddlers with Lumi and friends. Try the "Sing It Slowly" chapter first, then pause during the "Alphabet Guessing Game" so your child can shout out the answer. When the song ends, switch off the screen and sing it once more, just the two of you.
Common questions
How much screen time is OK for a 2-year-old?
The Canadian Paediatric Society says to limit routine or sedentary screen use to about an hour or less per day for children 2 to 5. The AAP and WHO also set one hour as the upper limit at age 2, and the WHO adds that less is better.
Is 2 hours of screen time too much for a toddler?
Two hours is double the upper limit that the AAP, WHO and Canadian Paediatric Society give for 2- to 5-year-olds. If your days run longer, trim a little at a time and swap in songs, books and outdoor play.
Do the Canadian guidelines differ from the US?
Only for the youngest children. The Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend screen use under age 2 (video chat aside), while the AAP allows high-quality programming watched together from 18 to 24 months. From age 2 the advice is almost the same.
Do educational videos count as screen time?
Yes. The AAP's HealthyChildren.org reminds parents that TV is still TV whether you watch it on a TV, a phone or a computer. Educational videos count toward the daily limit, so choose them carefully and watch together.
Should toddlers watch screens before bed?
No. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises avoiding screens for at least 1 hour before bedtime and keeping screens out of your child's bedroom. The AAP gives the same one-hour advice.
Sources
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids: Screen use and young children (updated March 2025)
- Canadian Paediatric Society position statement: Screen time and preschool children (2022)
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Media and Young Minds, Pediatrics 2016
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Why to Avoid TV for Infants & Toddlers
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Kids & Screen Time: The 5 C's Questions to Ask for Infants
- AAP Q&A: YouTube and Young Children
- WHO: To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more (2019)
- WHO: Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (2019)
- AAP Family Media Plan
