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Screen time by age group
From 3 to 6 years old we try to use screens 30 minutes per day maximum.
From 6 to 10 years old, screen time is 1 hour.After 10 years, the time is variable depending on the child. For example, we can see the effects that television has on the child. We can allow television if it is a quiet time for him. If the child is excited or overexcited in front of the television, it is better to limit screen time.We must pay attention to the children's response to the use of screens.
From 6 to 10 years old, screen time is 1 hour.After 10 years, the time is variable depending on the child. For example, we can see the effects that television has on the child. We can allow television if it is a quiet time for him. If the child is excited or overexcited in front of the television, it is better to limit screen time.We must pay attention to the children's response to the use of screens.
The daily screen time recommendation is 1 hour
The daily screen time recommendation is 1 hour while today, children aged 3 to 10 have an average screen use of 2h14 per day, which is more than double the recommendation. The most used screen is the television with an average of 1h24 per day and other screen times are constantly increasing with more than 13 minutes per day of smartphone use and more than 12 minutes spent on consoles. With this increase in screen use, it is important to raise awareness among children but also parents and teachers.
Indeed, here are some advantages of screens: they can improve cognitive functions, by offering specific activities adapted to the age of each child. However, care must be taken to ensure that the child is active behind the screen, and therefore choose interactive activities to stimulate the child's intellect, lead them to think, and find solutions.
They can help the child to recognize their emotions, like movies or cartoons.
They can help the child to recognize their emotions, like movies or cartoons.
Before using screens
Explain the use of screens (what are they for, how to use them, what to use),
Explain risks (purchases, social networks, the internet),
Prepare the use together: have a profile dedicated to the child, choose the screen time together (two episodes, 30 minutes…),
Define when to use (not before sleeping…).
Explain risks (purchases, social networks, the internet),
Prepare the use together: have a profile dedicated to the child, choose the screen time together (two episodes, 30 minutes…),
Define when to use (not before sleeping…).
Children do not have the same sense of time as us, so it is necessary to provide them with visual aids.Here are some ideas: A sand timer, as it can help to see the time passing,
A stopwatch, as it indicates the time remaining, and rings when time is up,
Labels, by placing them on the clock, as they can help children to know, visually, when the activity starts and when it ends.
A stopwatch, as it indicates the time remaining, and rings when time is up,
Labels, by placing them on the clock, as they can help children to know, visually, when the activity starts and when it ends.
During the activity, ask them questions about what they are doing or make comments related to the activity.Examples:"Bravo, you set a new record! You're so strong.""You're doing a puzzle? Did you guess the hidden image yet?" You can also try to do activities together, like 2-player games, such as the 2-player mode of the program COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES.
Here are some tips:- Create a routine, and get the child involved in organizing their day and activities, it's very important!- Use images: the child can check what they've done, and move on to the next activity.This can boost the child's confidence as it increases their autonomy. At the end of the day, they can see that they have accomplished all the tasks of the day!
An anti-addiction screen system
+ 30 educational games to train cognitive functions (memory, attention, language...) and promote learning (mathematics, literature, spelling...)
A sports break after 15 minutes of screen time with 8 sports games to clear the mind.
The child can then return more calmly to an educational activity after getting some physical exercise.
A sports break after 15 minutes of screen time with 8 sports games to clear the mind.
The child can then return more calmly to an educational activity after getting some physical exercise.
Discover a complete workshop with:
- knowledge questionnaires
- a Coco moves experiment
- advice for families
Screen time recommendations for children
When talking about screen time recommendations, you should know that screen time is the total use that the child can make of screens as a whole. When we talk about screens, it is about television, smartphones, computers, tablets or consoles; or all the screens the children can have around them during the day. This means that if they use the phone for 15 minutes in the morning, then watch TV for 30 minutes in the afternoon and play for 10 minutes on the console in the evening, we must add up all these screen times used over the entire day. Often as parents, you are not aware of this screen time. If you look at screen use recommendations by age, you see that before age 3, it is advisable not to use screens. This is very important because it is an age where the child develops cognitive functions and especially has a great need to move and use their body to learn and discover. It is also very important at this age because the development of visual skills is still forming. The visual stimuli they may receive in front of the television, such as blue light, can be too intrusive for a child of this age. However, you should know that every child is different and you must adapt the use. In the morning, it is advised not to use screens, because they send a lot of stimuli, which can reduce the child's attention. This can result in depleting all the attention they have available for the rest of the day. For example at school, the child won't listen to the teacher or be able to do their homework. They won't be able to pay attention to what's happening around them due to lack of attention.This advice applies to all technologies, including those used in class. You should know not to use them before a moment when the child will need all their attention to concentrate, such as an assessment or a dictation. It is preferable to use screens before recess which is said to be a "calm" time for attention and where they will be able to use their energy and body.In the evening, screens should not be used before going to sleep, because they emit blue light which will affect the sleep rhythm (one of the effects of screens). It is important for parents to know this rule because it can lead to irregularity in the child's sleep and impact their fatigue and thus a decrease in attention in learning.It is advisable to stop screens at least an hour before bedtime to allow the child's brain to clear the effects of screens like blue light and to use them preferably after school or just before dinner or before a quiet moment. You should know that screens are very present in the daily lives of children. They are surrounded by televisions, smartphones, tablets or video games on a daily basis, which makes them very comfortable with the use of technologies because they are familiar with it from a young age.Advantages and disadvantages of screen use for children
We are often faced with all the negative effects that screens can have on our dear little ones. But screens can also have many advantages, if used well. The negative effects and disadvantages are mainly related to improper use of screens.- Technologies can create sharing moments between friends or within the family.
- Certain technologies can be used as compensation tools for children with disorders or difficulties.
- Technologies can cause visual fatigue.
- Blue light has consequences on children's sleep rhythm,
- They can lead to Screen Overexposure Syndrome (SOS), resulting in fixation, isolation…
- Passive use can create developmental delays.
- After using the screen, motor agitation can be observed as the child needs to release accumulated energy.
Tips for teaching children to properly use screens
During screen use
- Set limits: without permission, do not change channels or go to the parents' messages (it is important not to place prohibitions, but to say that you should always ask before doing something),
- Warn 10 minutes before the end that the activity is going to finish, to make sure the child can complete it and hence not create frustration.
After screen use
- Do an activity (game, drawing…)
- Talk with the child (ask questions about the activity they just did, if they enjoyed it, what they learned, ...)
Practical Case #1: My child does not want to stop watching TV.
What can I do?
Practical Case #2: When my child is in front of a screen, they seem to be in another world.
How can I avoid this?
Practical Case #3:How can I teach my son to be organized and understand when he can or cannot use the tablet?
The key words to accompany children in the use of technologies:- Dialogue : Talk with your child, explain what can or cannot be done and why. Choose the screen time together.
- Sharing : Foster exchanges within the family: sharing a good time together can help children not to isolate themselves behind a screen. You can invite them to take family meals, take them for a walk… you can then talk about the day or activities done with screens.
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Solutions to counter screen overexposure
Parental control
According to a Médiamétrie Study, "How French parents try to control the use of screens by their children", Michael Szadkoski, February 10, 2020:- 95% of parents use parental control,
- 35% consider such limitations "difficult" or "very difficult" to enforce,
- 24% of parents report having used "spyware" at least once.
The important thing is to communicate with children, not just to set limits.Smart applications: COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES
Encouraging active and creative screen use in children
Limiting screen time is a first essential step. But it is just as important to transform screen use into an activity active, creative and enriching. A child who actively engages in digital activities will gain more benefits cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
Why promote active use?
Active use stimulates thinking, creativity, and autonomy.
It reduces addiction risks by reinforcing the sense of intention behind each use.
It highlights the screen as a tool for creation rather than just passive entertainment.
Examples of active and creative activities with screens:
Create interactive stories
Use applications like Book Creator to write and illustrate a digital story, adding text, images, and voice.
Example: tell about your holidays or invent an adventure with imaginary characters.Learn about programming
With tools like Scratch Junior (from 5 years old), the child learns to create simple animations using logical blocks.
Example: program a small character to move in a setting.Make music or video editing
Use applications like GarageBand or Clips to compose music or create a short video.
Example: make a family clip or record a song with sound effects.Themed photo or video challenges
Suggest to the child to photograph or film a defined theme: “my favorite objects”, “a day with my teddy”, etc.
This allows them to develop their perspective, imagination, and verbal expression.Play cooperatively with an adult or another child
Some educational games like COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES offer a two-player mode.
Example: solve a memory game together or take turns on a maze.
Practical tips for parents:
Plan “creative screen times” during the week, as an activity in its own right.
Accompany the child during their first creations, then encourage them to be autonomous.
Value what they have created by talking with them or displaying it in a dedicated space at home.
Expected benefits:
Better regulation of screen time by the child themselves.
Development of various skills (language, logic, memory, artistic expression).
Heightened sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.
