What Screen Time Looks Like in the Homes of Child Experts (And What We Can Learn From It)

If You Ever Felt Guilty About Screen Time, You’re Not Alone

Let me take a wild guess-you’ve asked yourself at least once this week  “Is this too much screen time for my kid?”

Maybe it was during a meltdown, or while folding laundry, or after your third reminder to “just turn it off already.”
You’re not alone. Every parent wrestles with it. Even experts do.

Here’s how top child development experts manage screen time in their own homes-and what we can take away from their approach.

1. Dr. Jenny Radesky  Media-Free Weekdays, But Movie Nights Are Sacred

A pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Radesky keeps weekdays screen-free.
No media from Monday to Friday.
Instead, she encourages family dinners without devices and makes sure screens are off before bedtime.

But Friday nights? That’s different.
It’s reserved for joint media engagement-a.k.a. family movie night, where everyone watches together, talks about the content, and makes it a shared experience.

Weekends bring a bit more flexibility  a few cartoons, child-safe apps, and games like Minecraft.

👉 Takeaway  It’s not just about how much screen time, but how it’s used-shared, intentional, and age-appropriate.

2. Lauren Hale  Screens Out of Bedrooms, Especially at Bedtime

As a sleep researcher at Stony Brook University, Lauren Hale is firm on her bedtime boundaries.

• No screens within an hour of sleep
  
  

• No screens in bedrooms
  
  

• No screens as part of bedtime routines
  
  

It’s all about protecting sleep quality-and she sticks to it.

👉 Takeaway  Wind-down time should be calm and tech-free to support healthy sleep habits.

3. Dr. Tom Warshawski  The 5-2-1-0 Rule

Dr. Warshawski’s formula is simple and brilliant 

• 5 servings of fruits & veggies
  
  

• 2 hours max of screens
  
  

• 1 hour of physical activity
  
  

• 0 sugary drinks
  
  

He also limits TV to an hour on weekdays-only after homework is done-and avoids video games entirely in his household.

👉 Takeaway  Screen time is just one part of a healthy daily rhythm. Look at the bigger picture.

4. Douglas Gentile  Be Present and Preview First

Douglas Gentile, a professor at Iowa State University, follows a flexible but intentional approach 

• 1 hour a day for younger kids
  
  

• 2 hours as they grow
  
  

• And always, always preview the content first
  
  

He believes parents should watch new shows or movies before introducing them to their children.

👉 Takeaway  Content matters just as much as duration. Be the filter your child needs.

So, What’s the Real Secret?

There’s no one-size-fits-all screen time formula.
But what these experts have in common is this  they set intentional boundaries, involve their children in media use, and prioritize connection over convenience.

You don’t have to ban screens to be a good parent.
You just need to be thoughtful about how they’re used-and make space for real-world connection too.

Whether it’s storytime, playing outside, or dressing up for family outings (even in something sweet and culturally grounded like The Nesavu’s kidswear collections), those moments add up.

They remind us that screens are tools-not substitutes for presence.

Final Thought  Give Yourself Grace

If you’ve ever handed your child a screen so you could cook dinner, take a work call, or breathe-you’re human.
And that’s okay.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress with intention.

Start with small changes. Maybe it’s unplugging at dinner. Maybe it’s a family movie night where everyone watches together. Maybe it’s just talking about what your child saw online.

Because when it comes to screen time, it’s not just about saying “no.”
It’s about saying “yes” to the things that truly matter.