Ages and Stages

Tech Use Recommendations - From Ages 0 to 18

Roll out tech slowly with clear boundaries so screen time does not displace the in-real-life (IRL) priorities of childhood. Remember: More tech means more parenting. Embracing these guidelines together with others in your community helps take the pressure off parents and kids:

AGES 0-2

5th-6th

7th-8th

9th-12th

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics. 

    • Set daily activity goals! For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics. 

    • Set daily activity goals! For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics. 

    • Set daily activity goals! For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics. 

    • Keep caregiving time as screen-free as possible. 

    • Do not give a baby your phone to calm them - this prevents learning to self soothe. 

    • Use your phone or TV when baby sleeps so media doesn’t interfere with eye contact, play, and caregiver-child interactions. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics. 

    • Keep caregiving time as screen-free as possible. 

    • Do not give a baby your phone to calm them - this prevents learning to self soothe. 

    • Use your phone or TV when baby sleeps so media doesn’t interfere with eye contact, play, and caregiver-child interactions. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

    • Set daily activity goals! 

    • For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

    • Set daily activity goals! 

    • For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

    • Set daily activity goals! 

    • For example, talk, sing, dance, smile, play, and read with your baby every day. 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

    • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

Preschool - 2nd Grade

    • One hour/day max 

    • To build skills needed for life: Prioritize IRL play, drawing, imagination, reading, exploring, hands-on creating, face-to-face interactions, fine & gross motor activities. 

    • Content matters! Pick age-appropriate content that aligns with your family values. CHOOSE long-form stories, shows and movies. AVOID fast-paced, short-form content that involves clicking, scrolling, and influencers - like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and InstaReels. 

    • AVOID YouTube Kids. Instead try PBS Kids, Sensical, Kidoodle, or HappyKids. 

    • Common Sense Media has great search tools to find good TV shows and Movies. 

    • Clarify family tech rules, including requiring parent permission to watch media. 

    • Set time limits. Prioritize play, time outdoors, and school work. Turn off TV/device when not actively watching. Set up in common area, and approach media as a ‘together’ experience more often than a solo experience. 

    • Prioritize screen-free tactile IRL play. 

    • Use sparingly, not as a daily routine. 

    • Avoid using it as a babysitter or behavioral pacifier, especially on errands and at restaurants. Ok if used like a family TV with slow-paced age-appropriate content. 

    • See Streaming Content above for more details. 

    • Do not allow solo use on a device that is not set up for a child. Instead, set up a child’s own account/user ID and correct birthdate, with no web browser, YouTube, social media, or App Store. Only add carefully selected apps and features. 

    • Family rules: Ask permission to use and only use in common area (not bedroom). 

    • No phones. 

    • No smartwatches. 

    • Consider a landline. 

    • To make this easier, join the Kids IRL Phone Pact with other parents in Marin! 

    • Delay access to video games as long as possible. Prioritize IRL play instead, especially during playdates. 

    • No unsupervised access. 

    • Co-use only. 

    • Model/ teach how to use it as a tool and resource. 

  • No messaging at this age 

    • No personal social media accounts (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord) before high school, ideally age 16. 

    • To make this easier, join Kids IRL to delay social media with other parents in Marin 

    • If necessary, enjoy curated social media exposure together with your child, coaching critical thinking and discernment. Avoid solo use on a personal or parent’s device; supervision and role-modeling are essential. 

    • Social media is unregulated content that can’t be monitored for safety and wellbeing. Delaying and then coaching are your harm reduction measures. 

  • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics 

    • One hour/day max 

    • To build skills needed for life: Prioritize IRL play, drawing, imagination, reading, exploring, hands-on creating, face-to-face interactions, fine & gross motor activities. 

    • Content matters! Pick age-appropriate content that aligns with your family values. CHOOSE long-form stories, shows and movies. AVOID fast-paced, short-form content that involves clicking, scrolling, and influencers - like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and InstaReels. 

    • AVOID YouTube Kids. Instead try PBS Kids, Sensical, Kidoodle, or HappyKids. 

    • Common Sense Media has great search tools to find good TV shows and Movies. 

    • Clarify family tech rules, including requiring parent permission to watch media. 

    • Set time limits. Prioritize play, time outdoors, and school work. Turn off TV/device when not actively watching. Set up in common area, and approach media as a ‘together’ experience more often than a solo experience. 

    • Prioritize screen-free tactile IRL play. 

    • Use sparingly, not as a daily routine. 

    • Avoid using it as a babysitter or behavioral pacifier, especially on errands and at restaurants. Ok if used like a family TV with slow-paced age-appropriate content. 

    • See Streaming Content above for more details. 

    • Do not allow solo use on a device that is not set up for a child. Instead, set up a child’s own account/user ID and correct birthdate, with no web browser, YouTube, social media, or App Store. Only add carefully selected apps and features. 

    • Family rules: Ask permission to use and only use in common area (not bedroom). 

    • No phones. 

    • No smartwatches. 

    • Consider a landline. 

    • To make this easier, join the Kids IRL Phone Pact with other parents in Marin! 

    • Delay access to video games as long as possible. Prioritize IRL play instead, especially during playdates. 

    • No unsupervised access. 

    • Co-use only. 

    • Model/ teach how to use it as a tool and resource. 

  • No messaging at this age 

    • No personal social media accounts (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord) before high school, ideally age 16. 

    • To make this easier, join Kids IRL to delay social media with other parents in Marin 

    • If necessary, enjoy curated social media exposure together with your child, coaching critical thinking and discernment. Avoid solo use on a personal or parent’s device; supervision and role-modeling are essential. 

    • Social media is unregulated content that can’t be monitored for safety and wellbeing. Delaying and then coaching are your harm reduction measures. 

  • No access to devices and no screen use per World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics