Parents shape how children interact with screens, aiming to prevent early overuse and potential dependence. This guidance draws on insights from Veronika Pugacheva, who leads the psychological services department at a prominent university in Russia, and it emphasizes a simple, practical message: start teaching healthy gadget habits from a very young age so kids grow up with balanced digital routines that fit into daily life in Canada and the United States.
The core idea centers on information hygiene, treating responsible screen use as a standard in daily routines rather than a punishment. For children aged one to three, a reasonable daily limit is 30 to 40 minutes, broken into two sessions of 15 to 20 minutes and spread across morning and afternoon. The aim is to avoid rolling a device into the child’s morning routine immediately after waking and to keep screens away well before bedtime to support restorative sleep and stable circadian rhythms. The approach is practical and develops self-regulation long before it becomes a problem, with caregivers modeling calm and intentional media choices.
For toddlers from three to five, the recommended ceiling rises to up to an hour per day. Children six to twelve can reasonably spend two to three hours on screens, though the focus remains on using freed time for activities that do not involve devices. Pugacheva encourages parents to fill a child’s day with engaging, real world experiences that promote movement, exploration, and social interaction. Enrolling children in activities or clubs of interest can spark genuine passion and reduce idle screen time while building skills that carry into adolescence and adulthood.
Research from the United States has contributed to this conversation, noting that gadget use for gaming and social communication can be linked to sleep difficulties in adolescents. The findings highlight the importance of structured routines and mindful media consumption as part of a broader strategy for healthy development. This is not only about setting limits; it is about guiding young people toward constructive, enriching experiences that build resilience, focus, and autonomy in decision making about technology use.
In parallel, another voice in the field offers practical tips for protecting vision amid prolonged screen use. The emphasis is on regular breaks, proper lighting, and maintaining a healthy distance from screens to minimize eye strain and other visual fatigue symptoms. Practitioners agree that small, consistent habits such as the 20-20-20 rule, good posture, and balanced snack and hydration routines can make a meaningful difference in long term eye health. Consistency matters; even short, regular pauses can reduce fatigue and support sustained attention during study, work, and leisure. Source: United States occupational health and ophthalmology research supports these recommendations and highlights easy, repeatable steps that families can adopt today.