Screen time
Screen time for toddlers: short, shared and calm
Most of us use screens with little ones sometimes: a long queue, a doctor’s waiting room, five minutes to cook. Here is a practical way to make those moments calmer, without pretending screens are something they aren’t.
Follow the guidance that applies to you
Many health organisations suggest very limited, shared screen use for children under two, and short, high-quality, co-viewed use for two to five year olds. Guidance varies by country, so check with your own health professional.
What to look for in an app
- No ads, pop-ups or purchase buttons in front of your child
- Slow, calm movement and soft sounds, with no flashing
- No autoplay and no endless feed
- A clear, gentle ending rather than a cliff edge
- Controls only a grown-up can reach
How Glowbug is built
- Silent by default, with sound one tap away
- Sessions of 5, 10 or 15 minutes that slow down and fade out on their own
- Nothing to win, collect or come back for
- A grown-up exit that needs a two-second press-and-hold
- No ads anywhere and nothing collected about your child
Make it a shared moment
Sit together, name what you see, and let your little one lead. When the session ends, put the phone away and carry on with something off-screen: a song, a snack, a walk.
Questions parents ask
How much screen time is OK for a toddler?
Guidance differs by country and age. Many organisations suggest very little, shared screen time for under-twos and about an hour or less of quality, co-viewed time for two to five year olds. Ask your own health professional for advice for your child.
Does Glowbug have ads?
No. Glowbug has no ads anywhere, and Child Mode never shows prices, purchases or sign-in prompts.