Screen Time for Kids

AAP recommended limits

• Under 18 months — only video calls (Grandma on FaceTime).
• 18-24 months — high-quality with adult.
• 2-5 years — 1 hour/day max, with adult co-watching.
• 6+ years — consistent limits, school nights stricter.
• NO screens 30 min before bed (blue light disrupts sleep).
• NO screens during meals.
• NO screens in bedroom for under-12.

Built-in screen time tools

• iPhone/iPad — Screen Time — Settings → Screen Time. Pin-locked time limits, app limits, content filters.
• Android — Family Link — free Google app. Same idea.
• Apple Family Sharing — set up grandkid's account. You get reports.
• Google Family Link — Android equivalent.
• Bark — $14/mo. Monitors texts/social for cyberbullying.
• Circle (Disney) — $130 + $10/mo. Whole-home wifi parental control.

Good vs junk screen time

• GOOD — video chat with family, learning apps (Khan Academy Kids), educational shows (Sesame Street, Bluey, Wild Kratts), reading apps (Epic!), creative tools (Lego app, GarageBand).
• NEUTRAL — most age-appropriate movies, audiobooks.
• JUNK — endless YouTube/TikTok scrolling, ad-heavy free games, "unboxing" videos, anything algorithm-driven.

Grandparent-friendly rules

1. Ask parents what THEIR rules are — follow them.
2. Don't feel guilty saying "screens off, let's [ride bikes / bake / play board games]".
3. If you allow extra — be honest with parents.
4. Co-watch some — best bonding.
5. Put devices in a basket during dinner / before bed.
6. Books are still better. Magic.