How much screen time is actually okay for a 4 year old?

Aug 12·1 min read

My son wants to watch YouTube all day and I feel like a bad dad for letting him have the iPad while I'm cooking dinner. What's the actual recommendation? I know the old stuff said 1-2 hours but that seems crazy restrictive. Is educational stuff like Khan Academy different from just YouTube? Looking for real talk not judgment.

4 comments201 views

Comments(4)

CCarlosRegularAug 12

The fact that you're thinking about it means you're not a bad dad. My son is the same age and yeah he'd watch YouTube forever if I let him. We do maybe an hour a day on heavy days, but honestly the screen time guilt is worse than the actual screen time.

AAdam R.Regular3w ago

The YouTube rabbit hole is real. I've found that having specific times for screen time helps way more than just saying no all day. Like after lunch or before bed gives them something to look forward to instead of constant begging. Quality parenting is about the other 20 hours anyway.

PPaulRegular3w ago

I stress about this constantly with my boys. Four year olds are glued to screens if you let them but some iPad time while you're cooking dinner or handling stuff is not going to ruin them. Set limits but don't beat yourself up about it.

JJoeRegular3w ago

Common question and the answer is probably somewhere between what the doctors say and what's realistic for your life. My take is balance. Some days he gets more iPad, other days we're outside all afternoon. Don't let the guilt make you feel like you're failing.