Pre-schoolers exceed screen time limits

A majority of young children are not moving enough and spending too much time in front of screens, failing to meet WHO recommendations for kids under 5

Key Findings

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Less than 1 in 6 children aged 3–4 years meet all of the WHO’s guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep.
Physical activity levels are particularly low, with less than half of children getting the WHO-recommended 3 hours of daily physical activity.
Gender differences show that boys are more likely to be active, while girls tend to get more sleep and spend less time in front of screens.
The overall findings highlight an urgent need to help young children get a healthier start in life, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the statistics are particularly concerning.

Source*

Chong, K. H., Suesse, T., Cross, P. L. et al. Pooled analysis of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep among children from 33 countries. JAMA pediatrics. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.3330

*All evidence briefs are informed by one or more peer reviewed research studies. All study publications used to inform this article are listed at the bottom of this brief with links.

Image of young boy lying on a couch looking at a screen

Image: Getty Images Signature

Aimee Eckert

21 Nov 2024

What's this about?

Research shows that early childhood is a critical period for building healthy, lifelong habits.

A multi-country study finds less than 15% of 3 to 4-year-olds meet all three World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for physical activity, screen time, and sleep.

The research, spanning 33 nations, reveals that while most pre-schoolers are getting enough sleep, many spend too long in front of screens and don’t get enough physical activity.

Despite some differences between genders and regions, the findings show few pre-schoolers enjoy a healthy start when it comes to these behaviours.

Early childhood is a key period for forming habits that affect long-term well-being.¹ In 2019, the WHO issued 24-hour movement guidelines for children under 5, recommending at least 3 hours of physical activity, no more than 60 minutes of screen time, and 10–13 hours of sleep.² Research suggests following these guidelines leads to better physical and mental health.^3,4

To explore how many 3–4 year-olds meet these targets, researchers analysed 17 studies involving over 7,000 pre-schoolers from 33 countries.⁵

Their findings uncover alarming trends in pre-schoolers’ lifestyles, with less than half meeting physical activity or screen time recommendations. Findings are also based on pre-Covid data and researchers speculate health behaviours have since worsened.

Across countries, girls get more sleep and stay within screen time limits, while boys are more physically active. These differences may stem from early childhood gender disparities, with girls often having less access to technology and experiencing greater societal expectations for sedentary play. Girls also carry a greater proportion of household chores in many countries, restricting opportunities for leisure-time movement.

Researchers caution that while they had reliable physical activity tracker data, information about sleep and screen time relied on parents, which may have introduced some inaccuracies.

The findings overall point to an urgent need for healthier lifestyles. With childhood habits shaping long-term health, early intervention is vital.

Research Toolkit

Researchers looked at international studies on pre-schoolers’ physical activity, sleep, and screen time. Here’s what we know:

Key Findings

EARLY YEARS HEALTH WATCH: Just 14% of 3–4-year-olds meet all three WHO recommendations for sleep, physical activity, and screen time. Boys are slightly ahead, with 17% hitting all three targets compared to 13% of girls.
SITTING LESS AND MOVING MORE IS KEY: Just 49% of 3–4 year-olds are moving enough. The goal is at least 3 hours each day. All types of movement count — jumping, walking, dancing, skipping, scooting, and more. The key is to encourage as much activity as possible!
SCREEN TIME ALERT: Only 31% of young children in high-income countries are keeping their screen time within recommended limits. The WHO recommends a maximum of one hour a day, but even less is better for their growth and development.
SLEEPING SOUNDLY: The good news is most pre-schoolers (81%) are getting enough sleep. Girls have a slight edge, with 82% getting adequate rest compared to 79% of boys. Europe shows the highest rates with 95% of kids getting sufficient shut-eye.

What else

SCREEN TIME MAY AFFECT SLEEP: Less than half of children fall within screen time guidelines, and this may be affecting their sleep. Reducing screen time could improve sleep, particularly among boys, who tend to use screens more.
COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT: Devices often serve as distractions, educational tools, and rewards. It is important to recognise the challenges in reducing screen time, and offer good alternatives. Setting countdowns, mixing up routines, and offering swaps could all help. Read more tips here.⁶
A HOLISTIC APPROACH: Coordinated efforts are crucial to improve pre-schoolers' health. Key stakeholders should promote WHO guidelines to encourage healthy practices in environments where young children learn and play.
KEEPING AN EYE ON SLEEP: Most pre-schoolers appear to get enough sleep, but parents may overestimate actual duration. Sleep quality and consistency also matter. Promoting 10–13 hours of quality sleep each night (including naps) will support healthy development.