Kids and Screen Time: What Does the Research Say and Where do we Stand?

We asked our resident speechie and super mum, Sam, to look into what the research shows about safe screen time and share her opinion on what works in her house.

Screen Time: From "How Much" to "How"

Current research from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Kids Research Institute Australia has shifted the focus on screen time. While time limits still matter, researchers now emphasise the importance of context - how and why we use screens. Our goal isn't to tell you what's "right," but to empower you with the research so you can make informed decisions about using screens that work best for your family.

What the Research Says

A 2024 Australian study (Brushe et al., 2024) found that for every minute of screen time, toddlers hear fewer words and have fewer "conversational turns" with parents. Language grows through back-and-forth talk, which is often interrupted.

Research from the ORIGINS Project (Straker et al., 2024) suggests screens aren’t "toxic" alone; the risk is what they replace—like sleep, physical play, and face-to-face connection.

The 3 Cs: Experts suggest focusing on Content (educational/slow-paced), Context (watching together), and Child (their unique needs and moods).

It's not just about how much screen time, it's about how we use it. Research now emphasises the importance of context, content, and connection.

What the guidelines recommend

Australian guidelines currently recommend:

• Zero recreational screen time (except video calls) for children under 2 years.

• Under 1 hour per day for children 2-5 years

• Under 2 hours of recreational use for children 5-17 years.
  

Conscious Use in Our Home (from Sam our Speechie)

My son isn’t quite two yet. If you look at the official guidelines, he should not be having screen time. But that’s not the case in our home. We’ve made a conscious decision to use screens as a tool in certain situations.

Here is what "conscious use" actually looks like for us:

Nappy changes: Anyone with a squirmy toddler knows nappy changes can be a challenge! We often look at photos or videos of our son together on the mat and use it as a chance to talk about what’s happening and build his vocabulary.

Road trips: Living rurally means long drives are common. For everyone’s safety (and sanity), we pre-download age-appropriate shows. It keeps the backseat peaceful while we navigate the long road home.

Dinner prep: My little one is a "koala baby"—if I’m standing, he wants to be held. Since I can’t safely cook with a toddler in my arms, a few minutes of ABC Kids is a lifesaver. It keeps him safely away from the hot stove, and I can talk to him about what he’s watching.

The Takeaway

We aren't aiming for perfection; we’re aiming for balance. It’s about making sure that when the screen goes on, it’s serving a purpose, and when it goes off, we’re right back to the face-to-face connection that matters most.

References

Brushe, M. E., Lynch, J. W., Reilly, S., & Melhuish, E. (2024). Screen time and parent-child talk when children are aged 12 to 36 months. JAMA Pediatrics, 178(5), 469–475. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.6790

Department of Health and Aged Care. (2021). Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years (birth to 5 years): An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians/for-infants-toddlers-and-preschoolers-birth-to-5-years

Raising Children Network. (2024, February 21). Healthy screen time habits for toddlers: 1-3 years. https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/play-learning/screen-time-content/healthy-screen-time-1-3-years

Straker, L., Abbott, R. A., Boldvig, K., & Christian, H. (2024). Context of screen use matters: Longitudinal associations of screen time contexts with child development in the ORIGINS Project. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 67, 112–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.01.005

World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550536