Screen Use Guidelines for Parents

Grow Well SG: Screen Use Guidelines for Primary School Children

As children become more adept with technology, guiding them towards healthy and purposeful screen use is an important aspect of their development. Under the Grow Well SG initiative, MOH, together with MOE and MSF, has provided updated recommendations to support the well-being of children in the digital age, including guidance for those aged 7–12 years.

The information below complements the national guidelines and outlines practical approaches for families to support healthy screen habits at home.

1. Screen Use Overview

The infographic below from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) summarises the key recommended practices for healthy screen use in children, including those aged 7–12 years.

These guidelines are based on extensive research conducted by MOH, which you can access by downloading the full report [here].

2. Supporting Healthy Screen Habits at Home

To complement the guidance in the infographic, families may find the following approaches helpful:

a) Be mindful of overall screen duration

• Recreational screen use for children aged 7–12 years should be kept to less than 2 hours a day, excluding school-related learning.

• Encourage breaks to avoid long, continuous screen use.

b) Establish simple daily routines

• Use devices at predictable times (e.g., after homework).

• Keep the hour before bedtime screen-free.

• Ensure time each day for physical activity, reading and rest.

c) Create screen-free moments

• Maintain screen-free mealtimes.

• Keep devices out of bedrooms at night.

d) Be involved in your child’s digital world

• Know what your child is watching or playing.

• Discuss online safety, respectful communication and what to do if they encounter inappropriate content.

e) Use parental controls

Parents may find it helpful to set basic safeguards on devices:

• Apple devices (iPhone/iPad): Screen Time and Family Sharing

• Android devices: Google Family Link

• Windows computers: Microsoft Family Safety

These tools help families ensure that device use stays age-appropriate and well-regulated.

3. When to Review Screen Use

Parents may wish to review their family’s expectations if they observe:

• Persistent difficulty stopping device use

• Irritability when devices are unavailable

• Loss of interest in non-screen activities

• Sleep disruption linked to screen use

If concerns persist, parents may contact the Form Teacher, Year Head or School Counsellor, or consult a healthcare professional.

Health Hub: Grow Well SG - Nurturing Healthy Behaviours: https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/parent-hub/grow-well-sg/nurture-healthy-behaviours/#learn-well

MOE: Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media: https://go.gov.sg/positive-use-guide