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How much screen time for a 2 year old in Australia?
Up to 1 hour a day
Australia's guidelines say children aged 2 to 5 should have no more than 1 hour of screen time a day, and less is better. Before their 2nd birthday, the advice is no screen time at all, apart from video calls with family.
Make a plan that fits your family
The guideline is a ceiling, not a target. Our free planner starts with your family's values, then works out a daily allowance for each child, with agreements you can print.
Make our family screen plan →Built by a registered psychologist with 20 years in child and family services. General information, not clinical advice.
What helps at this age
- Watch together where you can, and talk about what's on the screen.
- Choose slow-paced shows over fast, noisy ones.
- Keep meals and the hour before bed screen-free.
- Avoid using a screen as the main way to calm big feelings.
Common questions
Do video calls with grandparents count?
Most experts treat live video calls with family differently from watching shows, because your child is interacting with a real person. They are a sensible exception.
Is educational content OK for longer?
The 1-hour guideline covers all recreational screen time, educational apps included. Hands-on play, books and talking with adults do more for language at this age.
My 2 year old already watches more than an hour. What now?
Cut back gradually, by 10 to 15 minutes every few days, and replace the time with a predictable activity. Sudden bans tend to bring more resistance.
Source: Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, Australian Government. Last checked 22 October 2026.