At a glance
- Ages 2 to 4 (WHO)
- No more than 1 hour sedentary screen time
- Ages 5 to 17 (WHO)
- 60+ minutes of activity a day
- AAP advice
- A family media plan per child
- LiveTutor ages
- 6 to 18
What the guidelines say
| Body | Age | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| WHO (2019) | Under 1 | Screen time is not recommended; reading and storytelling with a caregiver encouraged |
| WHO (2019) | 1 year | Sedentary screen time not recommended |
| WHO (2019) | 2 to 4 years | No more than 1 hour a day of sedentary screen time; less is better |
| WHO | 5 to 17 years | At least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, and muscle and bone strengthening at least 3 times a week |
| American Academy of Pediatrics | All ages | A family media plan that considers each child's health, education and entertainment needs, revised as needed |
WHO guidance checked 6 October 2026. WHO's numerical screen limits apply to under-5s; for older children it emphasises activity and sleep.
Why a live lesson is different from watching
The concern behind screen-time limits is mostly sedentary, passive time: watching videos or playing alone for long stretches, displacing play, activity, sleep and conversation. WHO's own guidance stresses that interactive, non-screen activities with a caregiver, such as reading, storytelling and puzzles, matter for development. A live one-to-one lesson shares some of that: the child talks, explains, writes on a shared whiteboard and gets immediate feedback from a person. It is still sitting at a screen, so it belongs in the day's plan, but it is closer to a conversation with a teacher than to a video.
For children aged 6 to 9 the practical question is attention, not harm. A good tutor varies activities inside the hour: a few minutes of explanation, then the child working on the whiteboard, a short game or quiz, reading aloud, and a stretch break. Parents can sit nearby at first and step back as the child settles.
Setting up online lessons for a younger child
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| A laptop or tablet, not a phone | The shared whiteboard needs a bigger screen |
| A headset | Clearer sound and fewer distractions |
| A table, a chair, paper and a pencil | Writing by hand keeps lessons active |
| A parent nearby for the first lessons | Reassurance and help with technology |
| Lessons at the same time each week | Routine helps young children settle |
| Active time before and after | Balances the sitting time, in line with WHO's activity advice |
Balancing the whole day
- Count the lesson as part of the day's screen time and reduce recreational screen time that day.
- Keep screens out of the hour before bed; the NHS advises a wind-down period before sleep for teenagers, and the same habit helps younger children.
- Plan outdoor or active time daily: WHO recommends at least 60 minutes for children aged 5 to 17.
- Use a family media plan, as the AAP suggests, so rules are clear and the same for everyone.
- Watch your child: if they are tired, restless or upset after lessons, talk to the tutor about changing the format or timing.
Is my child ready for online lessons?
Most children from about six can manage a live lesson with support, especially for reading and early maths, when the tutor keeps activities short and interactive. A free trial lesson is the easiest test: watch whether your child engages, and ask the tutor what they noticed. LiveTutor lessons are one to one and 60 minutes long in our own online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard, and parents see lessons and progress in their parent account.
Common questions
How much screen time is recommended for children?
WHO recommends no sedentary screen time for under-2s and no more than one hour a day for 2 to 4-year-olds. For older children it focuses on at least 60 minutes of activity a day and enough sleep.
Does an online lesson count as screen time?
Yes, but it is interactive rather than passive: the child talks, writes and solves problems with a teacher. Plan it into the day and cut back other screen time.
Can a six-year-old concentrate for a 60-minute online lesson?
With a tutor who varies activities and a parent nearby at first, many can. The trial lesson shows whether your child is ready.
Is a tablet good enough?
A tablet or laptop works; a phone is too small for the shared whiteboard. Add a headset for clearer sound.
How much do LiveTutor lessons cost for younger children?
The same as every subject and level: $15 per one-to-one 60-minute lesson, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.