Screen Time Under 2: Why Parents Do It Anyway (And Why We Need to Ask Harder Questions)

Every guideline says the same thing: no screen time under age 2. The World Health Organization recommends it. The Ministry of Health echoes it. Parenting books chant it like gospel.

And yet, most parents break that rule. Surveys in Malaysia show that over 60% of toddlers under 2 are already exposed to daily screens, often for 1–2 hours. Globally, by 18 months, 90% of kids have already used a device — usually a smartphone.

So yes, the gap between “ideal” and “reality” is wide enough to drive a toy car through.

Why Parents Break the Rule

Here’s what real parents in Sabah told us:

👉 “If I don’t give my 1-year-old the phone, how am I supposed to cook? He climbs everywhere.” — Ika, mum of one, Putatan

👉 “I work from home. Sometimes I just need a quiet Zoom call. Bluey is the only co-parent who shows up on time.” — Kelvin, dad of two, Likas

👉 “It’s the only way my baby eats. I know it’s not great, but at least she doesn’t go hungry.” — Maya, mum of twins, Penampang

Modern parenting isn’t just about raising children. It’s about juggling work, chores, and mental health. Sometimes the iPad isn’t a luxury — it feels like a life raft.

The “Easy Button” vs The “Enough” Test

It’s tempting to say, “I’m cooking, so here’s the iPad.” Or “I just need 20 minutes of peace, so Cocomelon it is.”

But let’s be brutally honest with ourselves:

👉 We are talking about kids UNDER 2. Did we try everything else first?

A playpen often costs less than a smartphone. A drawer filled with safe spoons and containers can keep a baby occupied while you cook. Proofing your house takes effort, yes — but it gives toddlers the freedom to explore without constant screens.

The real test isn’t “Did my child scream until I gave in?” It’s “Did I really try enough — prepared enough, planned enough — before handing them a phone?”

Intentional Screens vs Lazy Screens

This isn’t about being purist. Some screen time, when intentional, can be beneficial:

• Short bursts of slow-paced shows can help with focus or even visual tracking.

• Repeated, familiar content builds comfort and routine.

• TV on a big screen (not a tiny phone) is less straining for young eyes.

For example, when my son was 3 months old, I sometimes played carefully chosen visuals to support his eye development — just a few minutes, not hours.

By 6 months, we introduced Ms Apple. Later, Bluey, Yakka Dee, and Zootopia. That’s it. On repeat. He didn’t get bored, and we didn’t have to keep finding “new” shows to keep him quiet.

And timing is everything. Being there while he watches matters, because I know exactly what he’s seeing. Some YouTube content looks harmless at first — nursery rhymes, bright cartoons — and then suddenly slips in dodgy material halfway through, right when parents stop paying attention.

The point: it wasn’t endless screen babysitting. It was controlled, purposeful choices.

The Real Risks

Of course, the concerns are real:

• Too much screen time can delay language development.

• Overstimulation affects sleep and mood (cue midnight meltdowns).

• Kids miss out on sensory play — the messy banging of pots, the squishing of dough, the exploring — that builds brains and bodies.

This is why experts keep pushing for limited (or no) screens in the first two years.

What Kids Actually Need

At 12 months, my son didn’t need a phone. He needed to explore. He needed to feel involved while I cooked — so I gave him his own safe kitchen drawer. He banged, stirred, and clattered away while I chopped. He felt part of it.

Phones can’t give him that. Exploration does.

The Honest Middle Ground

So yes, parents will use screens under 2. And sometimes, it really is survival. But let’s not pretend it’s always the only option. Before we hit that easy button, we owe it to ourselves (and our kids) to ask:

• Have I proofed the house so my toddler can explore safely?

• Can I swap a phone for a repeat show on TV instead?

• Did I prepare a play basket or station nearby so I can get chores done?

If the answer is yes and you still need a screen sometimes — fine. That’s real life. But if the answer is no… maybe it’s time to try harder before surrendering to autoplay.

Guilt-Free, But Accountable

This isn’t about shaming parents. It’s about honesty. We don’t need to be perfect — but we do need to be intentional.

Screens under 2? They’ll happen. But the real question isn’t “Why did I do it?” It’s “Did I do enough before I did it?”

And here’s the empowering twist: not all screen time is equal. A baby left endlessly binge-watching flashy cartoons is not the same as a baby video-chatting with grandparents in Sandakan, or watching nursery rhymes with a parent singing along.

The secret isn’t just “no screen.” It’s how and why screens are used.

Because at the end of the day, we’re talking about kids under 2. Phones won’t raise them. We will. And they deserve a childhood full of play, mess, and discovery — not just pixels on a screen.