BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

AAP Just Changed Its Guidelines for Baby's Screen Time

FaceTiming with grandma is officially okay.
save article
profile picture of Ashlee Neuman
By Ashlee Neuman, Content Director
Updated October 21, 2016
Baby sits in chair while playing on iPad
Image: Getty

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) told parents to keep babies under 2 years old away from all media screens. That meant no TV. No apps. No FaceTiming with far-away family. Now recognizing that digital media is pretty much inescapable, the AAP just revised its recommendations for how families with young kids can enjoy a healthy dose of screen time.

The changes, announced today, clarify that certain kinds of media can actually be beneficial for baby. High-quality programming, like the content on Sesame Workshop and PBS, can have educational value for children 18 months and older, the AAP says. If you choose to let your toddler watch, the Academy suggests parents should join in to make sure kids understand what they’re seeing.

For infants under 18 months, the new guidelines say video-chatting is a-okay (FaceTime and Skype users, rejoice!). But other than that, the AAP is still advising parents to keep baby away from screens.

“Too much media use can mean that children don’t have enough time during the day to play, study, talk or sleep,” Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP, lead author of the new media policy statement on infants and toddlers, says in a press release. “What’s most important is that parents be their child’s ‘media mentor.’ That means teaching them how to use it as a tool to create, connect and learn.”

Creative, unplugged playtime is still top priority for baby. A media overload can prevent baby from getting enough physical activity and face-to-face interaction with people, all of which are key to baby’s learning and development. Too much screen time can also cause sleep problems, the AAP says (and none of us want to mess with baby’s precious sleep!).

ADVERTISEMENT

For kids 2 to 5, the AAP recommends limiting screen time to 1 hour of high-quality programs a day. Parents with kids 6 and older should put rules in place about what kind of media their kids can consume and for how long, and make sure it doesn’t interfere with physical activity and sleep. (Hint: Cutting down on your own media use can help send the right message.)

To help parents come up with a responsible—and reasonable—media plan, the AAP is offering a new planning tool on its website for families.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

ms rachel interview with the bump
Ms. Rachel on Her Picture Book, Trusting Herself & Mental Health
By Natalie Gontcharova
toddler tables and chairs-hero
8 Best Toddler Table and Chairs, Tested and Reviewed
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
Baby Dolls For Toddlers-hero
The Best Baby Dolls for Toddlers, According to Parents
By Martina Garvey
ADVERTISEMENT
Newborn Toys Hero
The 8 Best Newborn Toys, Tested by a Mom and Baby
By Niki Achitoff-Gray
mom playing with infant at home
Playtime Made Simple: 16 Fun Games for Babies
Fact Checked by Denise Porretto
little girl playing with toys in play room
Amazon Releases List of the Hottest Toys for 2024
By Wyndi Kappes
Tummy Time Toys-hero
The Best Tummy Time Toys, According to Parents
By Christin Perry
ADVERTISEMENT
john legend and baby
Legendary Lullabies: John Legend Debuts New Kid’s Album With Fisher Price Collab
By Wyndi Kappes
cocomelon characters
A Live-Action CoComelon Spinoff Will Debut This Fall
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler girl climbing on wooden toy at home
8 Best Toddler Climbing Toys for Indoor and Outdoor Play
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
ADVERTISEMENT
Ms. Rachel and Elmo
Exclusive: Ms. Rachel & Sesame Street Team Up on New Sing-Along Series
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler girl playing with pasta sensory bin
11 Amazing Sensory Bins for Babies and Toddlers
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
Best Toys For 3 Month Old-hero
The Best Toys for 3-Month-Old Infants, Tested by a Mom and Baby
By Jennifer Wirth
ADVERTISEMENT
Hero Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds
The Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds
By Martina Garvey
baby playing with toys on the beach
My Favorite Beach Toys for Kids This Summer, Tested by Kids
By Korin Miller
mom and child reading a book outside during summer day
Your Kid's Best Incentive for Meeting Summer Reading Goals? Free Pizza
By Wyndi Kappes
kiddie pool-hero
The Best Kiddie Pools for Babies and Toddlers
By Christine Carpenter
ADVERTISEMENT
two boys playing at preschool
As Preschool Enrollment Hits All-Time High Access Disparities Widen
By Wyndi Kappes
Sandbox with toys and lid
The 6 Best Kids’ Sandbox Options to Promote Development
By Emma O'Regan-Reidy
Easter Basket Ideas
31 Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers and Babies That Don’t Involve Candy
By Christin Perry
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.