Screens at mealtimes

Why screens and meals don’t mix

A show or a phone at the table can feel like the only thing that gets food into a busy toddler. But official advice on both sides of the Atlantic is the same: keep screens away from meals.

Children stop noticing when they’re full. The AAP says a lot of unconscious eating happens in front of a screen, and that children distracted by a TV or an app will often eat long beyond when they’re full. Babies and toddlers show fullness by pushing food away, closing their mouth or turning their head (CDC). Those signals are easy to miss when everyone is watching something else. See hunger and fullness cues.

They miss the learning. The CDC says sitting down as a family teaches your child how to eat and helps them develop social skills, and that talking with your child at meals matters. The AAP says watching TV during meals prevents family interaction and interferes with a child’s eating.

Distraction and choking. The CDC’s choking advice includes keeping mealtimes calm and avoiding distractions, disruptions and rushing while eating. A child who is staring at a screen isn’t paying attention to chewing, and you’re less likely to notice trouble.

It starts early. For babies, the NHS says to keep distractions to a minimum at meals and avoid sitting your baby in front of the television, phone or tablet.

What the guidance says by age

Advice on screens in general differs a little by age and by organization. For meals, it doesn’t: all of them point to screen-free.

• Under 18 months. The AAP says digital media isn’t appropriate for children younger than 18 months, because babies need real-world interaction to learn and grow. Video chat with a relative is fine, with you beside your child. The CDC repeats the AAP advice: avoid screens until 18 months, except video-chatting with friends or family.
• 18 months to 2 years. The AAP says not to allow children younger than 18 months to 2 years to watch TV or use digital media. The CDC’s 18-month milestone tips say screen time is not recommended under 2, apart from video calls with loved ones. The same AAP article also suggests no more than 1 hour a day for children from 18 to 24 months and beyond, so its advice for this age isn’t fully consistent. For meals, it doesn’t matter: keep the screen off.
• 2 years and up. The WHO says sedentary screen time for 2-year-olds should be no more than 1 hour a day, and less is better.
• Worldwide. The WHO says screen time is not recommended for babies under 1, and that sedentary screen time is not recommended for 1-year-olds.

Your screen counts too

Meals are easier to keep screen-free when the whole table follows the rule. The AAP suggests making the kitchen table a tech-free zone, and points out that if you’re texting while eating, you’re not connecting. When you’re on your phone, your child misses your face and gestures, and you may miss the pointing and looking they use to tell you things (AAP). The CDC’s 18-month tips also suggest limiting your own screen time when you’re with your child so you can respond to them.

How to make meals screen-free

• Start with one meal. Pick the easiest one, often breakfast or dinner, and make it screen-free every day before adding the rest.
• Turn things off before you sit down. The AAP suggests putting phones and tablets in another room and shutting off TVs everywhere in the house before a family meal. Set phones to do-not-disturb (AAP).
• Face each other. The CDC suggests facing your child toward you or other family members at the table, and talking with them during the meal. Name the foods, describe colors and textures, sing, or talk about the day.
• Keep it short. The CDC says meals can last 10 or 15 minutes, or as long as your child can pay attention. A short, chatty meal is better than a long one propped up by a screen.
• Expect some protest. A toddler used to a show at dinner may complain for a few days. Stay calm, keep the routine the same each day, and let them eat what they want from what’s offered. If they stop eating, end the meal and offer food again at the next planned meal or snack.
• Accept smaller meals at first. Some children eat a little less once the screen goes. That’s often because they’re now noticing when they’re full. Look at what your child eats over a week, not one meal. See picky eating in toddlers.
• Write it down. The AAP suggests a family media plan that sets screen-free times and places, such as meals and bedtime, so everyone knows the rule. Consistent, predictable routines help younger children most (AAP).

Out and about

Restaurants, travel and long waits are where screens creep back in. Bring a couple of small toys or books for before the food arrives, and put them away when it does. Keep eating seated: the CDC advises against letting children eat in the car or stroller. See eating out with a baby.

When to ask for help

Talk to your pediatrician, GP or health visitor if your child will only eat in front of a screen and you’re worried about how much they’re eating or their weight, or if mealtimes have become a battle. The CDC says to talk to your child’s doctor or nurse whenever you’re concerned about how much or how little your child eats. The AAP lists media use that gets in the way of healthy eating as a sign of problematic media use at any age. In the US, start with your pediatrician.In the UK, your health visitor or GP can help.Your doctor or child health nurse can help.

Where US and UK advice differs

• Screen limits. The AAP says no screens under 18 months except video chat. The CDC’s milestone pages say screen time isn’t recommended under 2, except video calls. The WHO’s international guideline says no screen time under 1, no sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds, and no more than 1 hour a day at 2.
• Meals. The NHS weaning pages focus on mealtimes: avoid sitting your baby in front of the TV, phone or tablet. The AAP and CDC say the same for babies and toddlers.
• The core is the same. Keep meals screen-free, sit together, and talk with your child.