How Much Screen Time Should a Teenager Have?

A practical way to decide screen-time boundaries for teenagers around sleep, school, social life and growing independence.

There is no single perfect number

For school-age children, screen use needs to be judged in context. Current UK policy work recognises that type of activity, age and usage pattern matter. A rigid daily number can be useful as a household boundary, but it should not replace judgement about sleep, exercise, learning and family life.

Protect the important parts of the day

Start with non-negotiables: enough sleep, school attendance, homework where required, physical activity, meals and ordinary family responsibilities. Screen rules are easier to maintain when they protect those routines rather than existing for their own sake.

Look at what the screen time contains

Two hours of homework, creative work or talking with family is not the same as two hours of endless short-form scrolling. Consider the purpose, content and effect of the activity as well as the total minutes.

Review the rule with the child

Agree what success looks like and revisit the boundary. As children mature, greater independence should normally come with clearer responsibility rather than controls that never change.

Useful official sources

• Apple Support: Use parental controls to manage your child’s iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Set up parental controls with Family Sharing
• GOV.UK: New guidance on screen use for children aged 5–16
• NHS: Reducing sitting time for children and teenagers