How Much Screen Time is Too Much Screen Time?
Keep a screen time diary for seven days, record daily device minutes, compare to recommended limits, and make a personal plan to balance activities.
Step-by-step guide to How Much Screen Time is Too Much Screen Time?
Essential STEPS Before Setting Screen TIME For Your KIDS
Step 1
Pick a start date and mark the next seven days on your calendar.
Step 2
Draw a table in your notebook with seven rows labeled Day 1 to Day 7 and a column called Minutes.
Step 3
At the top of the page write which screens you will track like TV tablet gaming console and phone.
Step 4
Choose one way to measure time using your clock or watch and write that method at the top of the page.
Step 5
Each time you start using a screen note the start time or start your timer.
Step 6
When you finish a screen session write how many minutes that session lasted in your diary.
Step 7
Every night add up all the session minutes for that day and write the daily total in the Minutes column.
Step 8
After seven days add the seven daily totals to find your weekly screen minutes.
Step 9
Divide the weekly total by seven to find your average daily screen minutes.
Step 10
Ask an adult to help you find recommended daily screen-time limits for your age and write those limits in your notebook.
Step 11
Compare your average daily minutes to the recommended limit and write whether you are below at or above the limit.
Step 12
Make a personal plan with three or more fun activities you can do instead of extra screen time and write when you will do each one.
Step 13
Set a clear daily screen-time goal and write it on your calendar or a sticky note as a reminder.
Step 14
Try following your plan for two days and write one sentence for each day about how you felt.
Step 15
Share your finished screen-time diary and personal plan on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a notebook, clock, or access to DIY.org?
If you don't have a notebook, clock, or DIY.org access, use a printed calendar or loose paper to draw the seven-row Day 1–Day 7 table, use your smartphone or a kitchen timer to note start/stop times, and share a photo or printed copy of your finished screen-time diary and personal plan with an adult instead of posting on DIY.org.
What should I do if I forget to start or stop the timer and miss recording a session?
If you forget to start/stop the timer or miss sessions, check the device's activity/history, leave a brief estimated minute entry, set a visible alarm or keep your phone stopwatch running during sessions, and correct totals each night before adding the daily minutes.
How can this activity be adapted for younger kids or older teens?
For younger children, replace minute entries with stickers or tallies and have an adult add the nightly totals, while older kids can break minutes down by device, compute the weekly average themselves, and compare it to recommended limits.
How can we extend or personalize the screen-time diary and plan?
To enhance the activity, draw a colored bar graph of the seven daily totals in your notebook, add a short mood note after each session to compare with the two-day feelings, list rewards tied to meeting your sticky-note goal, or turn it into a friendly challenge by sharing averages with a peer.
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Facts about screen time and digital well-being for kids
⚽ Replacing some screen minutes with physical play, reading, or social time can boost mood, attention, and sleep quality.
📝 Keeping a simple screen-time diary (self-monitoring) is one of the easiest ways to notice habits and cut back.
📱 Many children average 4+ hours per day of recreational screen time — more than many parents expect.
💤 Using screens in the evening can delay sleep because blue light suppresses melatonin and shifts the body clock.
👶🧒 Health groups like the WHO and pediatricians often recommend no screen time for under-2s and about 1 hour/day for toddlers (ages 2–4).
How do you keep a seven-day screen time diary and make a balance plan?
What materials do I need to keep a screen time diary?
What ages is a screen time diary activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for doing a screen time diary?
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