Tips for parents on screen time

How much screen time is too much?

What’s safe, what’s harmful — and how do we even begin to guide our kids in a digital world that’s changing every day?

As part of Child Protection Week, we sat down with Sarah Hoffman, co-founder of Klikd and an expert in online safety, to unpack these critical questions. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sarah offered practical, age-specific advice to help parents navigate screen time — from toddlers begging for another episode to teens facing real risks like sextortion, online grooming, and AI deepfakes.

Whether you’re a new parent or raising a teen, these 15 insightful tips are a must-read for anyone trying to raise digitally safe and balanced children in today’s world.

For Parents of Younger Children (Ages 0–5):

Little kids don’t need screens.
For ages 0–5, there’s nothing developmentally essential they gain from screens that can’t be better achieved through analog activities.
Choose TV over tablets.
A big-screen TV in a shared space is less stimulating (and easier to monitor) than a handheld device.
Avoid isolated screen time.
Screen time should happen in public areas of the home, never in bedrooms or behind closed doors.
Use trusted content filters.
Tools like Common Sense Media help parents vet age-appropriate shows, games, and apps.
Know your child’s temperament.
Some kids can handle screen exposure better than others. Tailor limits accordingly.
Always ask: what is the screen displacing?
Is screen time replacing outdoor play, socialising, chores, or imaginative play?

For All Ages:

Don’t villainize screen time — but set clear boundaries.
Avoid making screens the “forbidden fruit.” Instead, fit screen use into your family routine calmly and consistently.
Create screen rules with your child.
When rules are discussed together, children are more likely to cooperate and less likely to rebel.
Delay personal phone ownership.
Join or form a parent group to collectively delay phone ownership until high school — it reduces peer pressure and exclusion.
Not all screen time is equal.
Facetiming grandma is not the same as binge-scrolling TikTok or playing high-dopamine video games.

For Tweens and Teens (Ages 12–16):

This is the most vulnerable age group.
The prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment) is underdeveloped — and their reward-seeking brains are “a Ferrari without brakes.”
Talk about risky content early.
Sextortion, AI deepfakes, and online grooming are real threats. Teach them to spot red flags and speak up.
Set up open communication.
Be your child’s “go-to person” — or help them identify one. Kids need a trusted adult they can turn to without fear of punishment.
Monitor gaming and chat apps closely.
Platforms like Discord are often unregulated and used by predators posing as kids.
Have the porn talk early — and without shame.
Access is easy, even accidental. Prepare honest, age-appropriate conversations before they’re exposed.