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Australia’s national 24-hour movement guidelines recommend no screen time for children under two and a maximum of two hours for children over five.
Advice from prominent bodies such as the World Health Organization are similarly clear about limiting screen use for children.
As well as concerns about children being too sedentary, this advice comes amid ongoing research about the potential harms of too much screen use. These include sleep problems, language delays and social-emotional issues.
However, this rigid health advice conflicts with education guidelines that children are introduced to – and gain skills in – digital technologies before they start school.
There is also a growing understanding among researchers that strict guidelines around screen use are not compatible with real life and can be confusing to parents.
In January 2026, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new policy statement noting both concerns about screen use but also potential benefits if the content is good quality and appropriate for children. The academy argued we cannot view children’s media use through the lens of “screen limits alone”.
Our research
Our study wanted to understand how first-time parents interpret and apply screen use guidance in the early years.
This is a group navigating a steep learning curve. Without prior experience to draw on, many rely heavily on external advice while also feeling pressure to make the “right” decisions.
Our study involved 23 Australian parents of children aged under four, recruited via social media and community advertising. Parents’ views were sought via interviews and focus groups.
What we found
Parents reported a variety of interpretations of screen time recommendations. For some, it was about strict adherence. Evangeline* (mother of a six-month-old) shared her firm stance on restricting screen use:
“I don’t want her to be using a phone or using an iPad or even watching TV until she’s at least a couple of years old.”
Others took a more flexible stance, depending on their household’s needs. Chad (father of an 18-month-old) explained:
“I don’t believe no screens is possible […] I believe that probably using screens for a large period of time is a problem, but I also don’t necessarily think that if the TV’s on for 15 minutes occasionally that that’s going to break the world either.”
The quest for sanity
Parents in our study spoke about using screens to stay in touch with family and to manage competing demands such as preparing meals, caring for multiple children, or simply taking a moment to reset. So while “clear guidance” around screens was valued, strict rules were often not feasible in practice.
Parents expressed frustration that current guidelines oversimplify the issue as “no screens” versus “screens”. As Carmela (mother of a 17-month-old) told us:
“I can’t just sit looking after a baby for the entire time. You’ve got to have some sanity. I think most parents now are going that way but feel guilty for it.”
Yann (mother of a six-month-old) wanted guidelines that acknowledged the realities of family life today.
“It’d be nice to say ‘okay, well, realistically [the] majority of you are going to use screens under 18 months, what are some guidelines? Here’s some shows we might recommend.”
Chad also wanted more clarity on what the overarching problem was with a limited amount of screen use in infancy.
“What’s the actual risk factor here? […] ‘cause if my son’s really unhappy and you turn on the TV for 15 minutes […] and then he’s happy for the next four hours, is that really worse than being unhappy?”
Parental guilt
Parents described the emotional weight of decisions about screen use and their kids.
Many were already using screens in their homes but felt guilty about doing so. Social media and parenting groups often intensified these feelings. Managing children’s screen use was not just about following advice but about navigating judgement, uncertainty and the tension between ideals and real life.
Or as Natalie (mother of a three-year-old) told us, she didn’t want to hear more social media opinions on the matter.
“I don’t want to get 100,000 voices out there giving me their responses to add to the parental guilt and the parental angst.”
What can parents do?
Our research suggests parents do not necessarily need more rules. They need more support to help them make informed decisions.
Parenting decisions are shaped by context, including children’s needs, family routines, work demands and available support. Parents need guidance that reflects this complexity.
This means moving towards more balanced, practical advice, focusing less on how long children spend on screens, and more on how they are using them.
For parents, research shows its important to:
focus on what kind of content your child is consuming. Is it designed for children? Is it developmentally appropriate? Does it invite thinking, creativity, or learning?
are they watching alone, or with another adult or sibling? Are there opportunities to talk, ask questions, or connect with what they’re seeing? Co-viewing supports language development and comprehension.
does it help your child connect with others (for example, their family or peers), or engage actively (for example by responding to or participating in what they are seeing)?
Improving support is not about telling parents to do more or less. It is about offering guidance that helps families make informed, thoughtful choices about screens based on their individual child, their context, and what works in their everyday lives.
*names have been changed.
Stephanie Milford research officer, School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University; Curtin University; Federation University Australia.
