Am I being unreasonable about screen time limits?

Dec 251 min read

My wife and I have been arguing about this. She thinks 2 hours on weekends is fine, I think it should be more like 1.5 hours max. Our kids are 6 and 9. We're not talking about educational stuff, just leisure TV/iPad time.

I don't have strong feelings about this but I feel like I should? Like is there actual guidance on this or is it just whatever works for your family? What are you folks doing and do you feel like it's reasonable?

10 comments201 views

Comments(10)

GGabe R.RegularDec 25

The real issue is probably not the exact number but that you two aren't on the same page. Those 30 minutes don't matter as much as you both being consistent. Sit down and actually agree on what the rule is, then stick to it

RRandy B.RegularDec 26

With a 6 and 9 year old that age gap matters. They probably want different things anyway. Maybe they each get a limit based on age instead of the same cap?

WWyatt C.RegularDec 26

1.5 hours vs 2 hours is honestly splitting hairs. The research doesn't show huge damage from the difference. Maybe compromise at 1.75 and then figure out what the real disagreement is actually about

JJerome S.RegularDec 26

Honestly a 30-minute difference isn't worth the marital tension. Pick one, stick with it, revisit in 6 months if something's actually wrong

RRich B.RegularDec 26

We have the 2-hour rule on weekends and honestly it works fine for us. The key is what they're watching and whether they actually watch it or just have it on. My 7yo will turn it on and then go play with legos anyway

LLiam S.RegularDec 27

Not unreasonable but 1.5 vs 2 hours isn't a huge gap. With a 6 and 9 year old that's pretty standard honestly. I'd say 2 on weekends is okay if there's other stuff happening during the week. Compromise at 1.5-2 depending on what else they did that day?

FFrank D.RegularDec 27

Could also matter what they're watching tbh. 2 hours of educational stuff vs 2 hours of random YouTube is different

NNate H.RegularDec 27

This was us last year. Wife said I was being too strict. We went with her number and honestly nothing bad happened. Kids are fine. Sometimes you gotta let the other person be right

MMatt S.RegularDec 27

That's a really small difference to be fighting over honestly. 30 minutes isn't going to make or break anything. Maybe figure out what the actual concern is - is it about screen time itself or something else?

WWill T.RegularDec 28

Does your wife have a specific reason she thinks 2 hours is ok or is it just 'kids gotta have fun' territory? If you know her actual rationale it might be easier to find middle ground