Phones, tablets and TV are now part of family life across Africa, from busy Lagos flats to rural homes where one smartphone is shared by the whole family. Screens can educate and entertain, and they can keep children in touch with relatives far away. But too much, too early, can crowd out the sleep, play and conversation that young children need.
This guide sets out what the World Health Organization recommends for young children, what sensible limits look like for older children and teens, and how to put rules in place without constant battles.
What the WHO recommends for under-fives
In 2019 the World Health Organization published guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5. On screens, the advice is clear:
- Under 1 year: no screen time is recommended.
- 1 year old: sedentary screen time is not recommended.
- 2 to 4 years: no more than 1 hour a day, and less is better.
The WHO’s message, summed up in its announcement of the guidelines, is that young children need to “sit less and play more”. When they are sitting, reading and storytelling with a carer are encouraged.
Video calls with grandparents or a parent working away are different from passive watching. Short, interactive calls with family are a positive use of a screen, even for young children.
Ages 5 to 12: build habits early
There is no single official number for school-age children. Instead, focus on what screens replace. A good rule of thumb is that screen time should come after homework, chores, outdoor play and family meals, not instead of them.
- Keep screens out of bedrooms at night. Good sleep matters for learning and behaviour.
- Prefer content you have seen or approved, including educational apps and programmes in local languages.
- Watch or play together sometimes. It helps you understand what your child enjoys.
- Agree on screen-free times, such as mealtimes and the hour before bed.
Teenagers: guidance over control
Teens need more independence, and strict time limits often backfire. Focus on safety, balance and trust.
- Talk about privacy: never sharing their address, school or photos with strangers online.
- Discuss scams, fake apps and requests for money. Our guide to the Lagos Life game shows how quickly a popular online trend can raise new risks.
- Agree that phones charge outside the bedroom overnight.
- Make it safe for them to tell you when something online goes wrong, without automatically losing their phone.
When the family shares one phone
In many African homes, children use a parent’s phone. That brings its own risks: access to banking and mobile money apps, WhatsApp groups and browser history.
- Lock payment and mobile money apps with a separate PIN.
- Use Google Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iPhone) to set limits and approve downloads.
- Hand over the phone for a set purpose and time, then take it back.
Signs screen time is becoming a problem
- Trouble sleeping or very late nights.
- Falling school performance or skipped homework.
- Anger or distress when screens are taken away.
- Losing interest in friends, sport or family activities.
If you notice these signs, reset the rules calmly, explain why, and offer attractive alternatives such as outdoor play, sport, music or a family project.
Model the habits you want to see
Children copy what they see. If parents scroll through dinner, children will too. Putting your own phone away at mealtimes and during family time is one of the most effective rules you can set.
Sources
- World Health Organization: Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (2019)
- World Health Organization: To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more
Keep reading
- Is Roblox safe for kids? An age-by-age guide for parents
- Exam stress: how to support your teen through matric, KCSE and WAEC
- Is Lagos Life safe for teens? What parents need to know
- Traditional vs. modern parenting: finding a balance
More guides on screens, games and online safety in Digital Parenting.
Featured image: Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.
