Your Toddler's Digital Life: Do You Know Age-Appropriate Habits?

These days, screens are everywhere – from smartphones to tablets and from laptops to televisions. It’s hard for parents to know how much screen time is OK for their children. Test your knowledge of guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on children’s media use.

Match these ages to the statements below:

• 18 months
• 18 to 24 months
• 2 to 5 years
• 5 years

1. According to the AAP, children age ____ and older should have consistent limits for their use of digital media. Parents should supervise the types of media kids use. It’s important that screen time does not interfere with children getting adequate sleep and physical activity.

2. Parents of children younger than ____ are encouraged to avoid allowing their kids to use screen media, except video chatting.

3. Children ages ____ should not have more than one hour of screen use per day. They should only watch high-quality programs, and they should watch them with their parents.

4. The AAP recommends that parents of children ages ____ who want to introduce screen time should find high-quality programming and watch it alongside their child to help them understand what they are watching.

Answers:

1.  5 years

2.  18 months

3.  2 to 5 years

4.  18 to 24 months