Screens and Young Children: How to Manage It and What to Choose

1. What Science Says About Screen Use in Children

Official Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no screen time at all before age 2, and a maximum of one hour per day between ages 2 and 5 — always with appropriate content and adult supervision.

But what does “appropriate content” mean? It refers to calm, non-violent videos, without fast-paced or overstimulating visuals, with a slow rhythm and simple dialogue.

Today, many cartoons flash new images every 1 to 2 seconds. This overloads a young child’s brain, overstimulates attention, and can make it hard for them to settle down afterward. Some studies even show that this kind of rapid content can lead to dependency and increased agitation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a gradual approach:

• Before 18 months: avoid screens, except for video calls with family

• 18 to 24 months: limited screen use allowed, but always with an adult to turn it into a shared learning moment

• After age 2: educational content, limited time, and human interaction should remain the priority

The Risks of Overexposure

A Canadian study (Madigan et al., 2019) found a link between excessive screen time and delays in language and motor development.

Other research highlights negative impacts on sleep, attention, and behavior.

The reason is simple: screens often replace free play, face-to-face interaction, and rest — all key pillars of healthy development.

2. Can We Use Screens in a Smart Way?

Yes — if we stick to a few key guidelines for healthy screen use:

• Choose high-quality content: calm shows, educational apps, interactive songs, or simple cooperative games (like memory or digital board games) from age 4

• Be an active participant: watch together, comment on what you’re seeing, ask questions, connect it to real life

Example: Watching a nature documentary together for 30–45 minutes can be a rich experience full of conversation and discovery. Your child will develop curiosity, learn new vocabulary, and enjoy quality time with you.

• Limit screen time: even great content should be capped at 30 to 45 minutes, depending on age and situation

Screens can be a complement, but never a substitute for human connection.

3. What About Real Life? Practical Tips for Parents

• Create screen-free rituals: bedtime stories, cooking together, board games, nature walks…
  These moments naturally build language skills and strengthen the parent-child bond.

• Use screens occasionally, without guilt: A cartoon during a car ride or when you need a short break? That’s totally fine!

• But don’t skip the boredom: It’s during unstructured time that children develop creativity and imagination.

• Offer a variety of alternatives: story boxes, sensory games, simple crafts with recycled materials, puppet shows with stuffed animals...

• Set clear rules: define how long, when, and what type of content. This gives your child structure and helps them manage expectations.

You don’t need to be perfect: consistency, meaningful interaction, and everyday common sense are what truly matter.

Conclusion

Screens shouldn’t be banned, but they should be framed. With thoughtful choices and adult involvement, they can be a useful learning tool.

At Kidioma, we put play and social interaction at the heart of everything we do — because those are the real building blocks of childhood development.

So yes to screens — but in moderation, with intention, and always with your child, not instead of you.

Screens are everywhere these days — phones, tablets, TVs... and our children are exposed to them very early on. But how can we tell what’s helpful or harmful for their development?

At Kidioma, we rely on the latest scientific research to adapt our language workshops, but also to help parents better understand the effects of screen time — the benefits, and the limits.

So, should we say yes or no to screens?

Let’s break it down — clearly, and without guilt.