WHO Recommends Kids Under 5 Limit Their Screen Time to 1 Hour or Less

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, Valerie Nelson, MD, MBA, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM

The World Health Organization has released new guidance on physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and sleep for young children.

Among the recommendations:

• Screen time for 2- to 4-year-olds should be limited to 1 hour or less a day.

• Infants should get at least 30 minutes of tummy time (while awake) spread throughout the day and shouldn't be exposed to screens.

• Children shouldn't be restrained in a high chair or stroller or strapped onto a caregiver's back for more than an hour at a time.

• Those aged 1 to 4 years should get at least 180 minutes of physical activity every day. For 3- and 4-year-olds, 60 minutes of activity should be of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.

• Children should get the following amounts of good-quality sleep daily: 14–17 hours at 0–3 months of age, 12–16 hours at 4–11 months, 11–14 hours at age 1–2 years, and 10–13 hours at age 3–4 years.