Screen time guide
How much screen time by age: 2 to 9, explained
Screen time guidance changes fast between the toddler years and early elementary. Here's what changes, and why.
Ages 2–4: short and shared
Roughly 30–60 minutes of slow-paced, co-viewed content. Focus on language, naming and repetition rather than plots.
Ages 4–6: story and curiosity
Around an hour of quality content. Kids can now follow narratives, ask 'why', and benefit from content that answers real questions.
Ages 6–9: interest-led learning
Up to 1–2 hours including homework and games. This is the age where curated depth (space, animals, how things work) beats endless variety.
The number isn't the whole story
Two hours of curated, interactive content is very different from two hours of algorithmic autoplay. Judge on content quality, interaction, sleep impact and mood after the screen.
Turn screen time into learning time
CuCu TV is a curated, ad-free layer over the videos your kids already love — with in-video questions and a real picture of what they're learning.
Frequently asked questions
Does educational content count toward the limit?
Treat it as a separate bucket. Most families count entertainment strictly and are flexible on genuinely educational, interactive viewing.
What about weekends?
A slightly longer weekend window is fine if the weekday rhythm holds and the no-screen zones stay protected.