Screen time by age

The AAP recommends no screen time under 18 months, except for video chat with family. Screens at this age crowd out the two things babies need most: face-to-face interaction and hands-on exploration. Both are how they learn. Between 18 months and 2 years, small amounts of high-quality co-viewed content (Sesame Street, PBS Kids) are okay. Between 2 and 5, cap at 1 hour a day of quality content, and watch together whenever possible so you can talk about what's happening. Avoid screens within an hour of bed at any age — they suppress melatonin and delay sleep. And don't stress a rare exception. It's the daily pattern that matters, not a single flight or dinner out.