Screen time at 4yo - am I being too strict?

Dec 11·1 min read

So my son just turned 4 and I've been pretty militant about screen time - max 30 mins a day, mostly PBS Kids. My wife thinks I'm overreacting and that some days when I'm working from home and he's bored, an extra hour of Daniel Tiger won't kill him. Tbh I'm second-guessing myself now. The research seems mixed. Anyone else dealing with this tension between partners on this stuff? What actually works in real life, not the ideal?

6 comments84 views

Comments(6)

PPaul M.RegularDec 11

Working from home with a 4yo is its own special hell. Maybe find some screen-time activities that feel okay to you when you NEED focused work time - like one episode of Bluey isn't gonna ruin him

SShane K.New DadDec 12

30 mins a day at 4yo is actually pretty solid. You're not being militant. The fact that you're thinking about it means you're already doing better than most

AArchie M.RegularDec 12

Have you guys compromised on specific days where he gets more if you're slammed with work? Like a Wednesday thing where it's okay?

BBrad N.RegularDec 13

The issue isn't 30 mins, it's when he's bored and you NEED him to watch stuff so you can work. That's different than intentional screen time

WWyatt C.RegularDec 14

The trick is finding the balance between your sanity and his development. You're not being too strict, your wife's not totally wrong either

RRob K.RegularDec 13

PBS Kids is genuinely good content though. That's not the same as throwing him on YouTube Kids for 2 hours. Your boundaries are reasonable