Screen time planner
List what your child watches, plays and uses each week, see how the days add up against a budget you choose, and print it as a family plan. For under-5s, the World Health Organization’s guidance is shown alongside.
Nothing is collected. There are no accounts and nothing is sent anywhere: what you type here is saved only in this browser’s local storage on this device.
5 to 8 years: no single number
For school-age children and teens, the American Academy of Pediatrics now looks beyond simple time limits to quality, context and conversation, and suggests making a family media plan. Set a budget that suits your family, and watch what screens might crowd out: sleep, play, homework and time together. Sources
- This week
- 6 h 20 min
- Daily average
- 54 min
- Days over budget
- 0
| Day | Planned | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 50 min | |
| Tuesday | 30 min | |
| Wednesday | 50 min | |
| Thursday | 30 min | |
| Friday | 50 min | |
| Saturday | 2 h | |
| Sunday | 50 min |
How to use the planner
Add each regular screen activity with its type, how many minutes it usually takes and the days it happens. The chart and table add up each day; the line shows the budget you chose for school days and weekends. Ticked screen-free times and your family agreements print on the plan, so everyone can see what was decided.
What the guidance says
For children under 5, the World Health Organization’s 2019 guidelines say screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 or for 1-year-olds, and that for 2- to 4-year-olds “sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour; less is better.” The planner shows that line when you choose those ages.
For older children there is no official single number. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2026 policy statement moves beyond simple time limits towards the quality of what children use, the context and talking about it, and suggests a family media plan. The AAP’s guide for parents also suggests screen-free zones, with bedrooms and mealtimes as good places to start, especially an hour before bed.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. Geneva: WHO; 2019. who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550536
- World Health Organization. To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more (news release, 24 April 2019, with the recommendations at a glance). who.int
- Munzer T, Parga-Belinkie J, Milkovich LM, Tomopoulos S, et al. Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement. Pediatrics 2026;157(2):e2025075320. doi:10.1542/peds.2025-075320
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Helping Kids Thrive in a Digital World: AAP Policy Explained (updated 3 June 2026). healthychildren.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Family Media Plan. healthychildren.org/English/fmp
Questions
Do video calls with grandparents count?
The WHO’s examples of sedentary screen time are watching TV or videos and playing computer games. Many families treat a short video call with relatives differently; the planner lets you list it as its own type so you can decide.
Is this medical advice?
No. It is a planning tool that quotes published guidance. If you are worried about your child’s screen use, sleep or development, talk to your doctor or health visitor.
Where is my plan stored?
Only in this browser’s local storage on this device. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere.