Screen time can have surprising benefits for kids—when done right
Not all screen time is created equally. Experts explain why quality matters more than quantity and how parents can rethink their rules for devices.
Parenting in the digital age can feel like navigating a maze of opinions and advice. Strict device limits or outright bans often dominate conversations about screen time, leaving families overwhelmed by conflicting guidelines on what’s appropriate for children of different ages.
But here’s the thing: the issue isn’t as simple as setting a timer and walking away. Studies reveal that the quality of what kids watch, play, and interact with often matters more than the quantity of their screen time.
A 2022 article published in Frontiers in Psychology found that watching screens can have detrimental or beneficial effects on development, depending on content and context, underscoring that not all screen time is equal.
So, could a more nuanced approach to screen time—focusing on quality over quantity and mentoring over monitoring— better serve families? Here’s what the experts say.
It’s not just a numbers game
The traditional focus on duration often misleads families into thinking screen time management is about limiting minutes.
“By zeroing in on duration, families are led to believe that managing screen use is a simple numbers game,” says Katie Davis, author of Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up and co-director of the UW Digital Youth Lab. Instead, she encourages parents to “consider what children are doing on their screens, who they are interacting with, and how the experience makes them feel.”
Keena McAvoy, a digital wellness educator and co-founder of DMV Unplugged, adds, “Boundaries can be missing with simplistic screen time guidelines. For example, a 5-year-old watching a 45-minute long-form story on their iPad in the living room while their parent cooks dinner nearby is a much-preferred experience for a growing brain than a 5-year-old accessing YouTube shorts alone in their bedroom for 45 minutes.”
This numbers-focused mindset can also unfairly vilify technology, says Regan Vidiksis, a senior researcher at EDC’s Center for Children and Technology. She adds that the conversation often overlooks the many positive uses of screens and media, including opportunities for creativity, learning, and connection.
Making screen time meaningful
Parents and caregivers can make screen time a tool for growth and connection by thoughtfully integrating it into family life. Rather than imposing rigid rules, Davis suggests families “weave screens into the fabric of daily routines in ways that enhance, rather than detract from, shared experiences and individual growth.”
For instance, a 2022 study highlights how video games, in the right context, can improve problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development in children.
With proper guidance, children can use technology to explore their interests, connect with diverse communities, and advocate for causes—all without becoming tethered to screens. “Technology is just another medium in their lives and something that they need to learn to develop healthy habits around, with the support of their families and other media mentors,” Vidiksis says.
A 2023 Common Sense Media survey showed this when children ages 11-17 described ways of adding friction to their phones to try to use them more intentionally.
“Conversations about digital habits, co-engagement in activities, and providing context for what children see and do online are critical aspects of fostering healthy technology use,” Davis says.
Practical tips for a balanced digital life
Creating a balanced digital life starts with curating quality content and setting realistic expectations. McAvoy recommends that parents “delay their children’s access to algorithmically controlled technology products (social media, YouTube shorts, TikTok) for as long as possible” to help their developing brains. Instead, look for apps, games, and shows that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and active engagement over passive consumption. Several experts say Common Sense Media is a great resource for seeing how different digital media options measure up.
Beyond curating content, parents should also look at creating a balanced lifestyle for their families. Screen time should complement, rather than replace, childhood activities like outdoor time, physical activity, in-person social interaction, hobbies, and sports as much as is practical.
Parents may consider creating certain times of day or situations where screen time is off-limits to find a balance that works for their family. Or create public digital spaces around the home. Whatever you decide, the rules and expectations should be clear and explicit, says Vidiksis. She adds that the rules should also be reasonable and easily modified according to life’s circumstances. After all, screen time itself is not implicitly bad, and not all screen time is equal.
Ultimately, the goal is not to eliminate screens but to guide children toward a positive relationship with technology. “Parents should ask themselves: Is my child’s technology use self-directed and fostering growth? These qualities matter far more than the number of minutes logged on a device,” Davis says.
