• Avoidable sitting times should be reduced to a minimum. In addition to (motorized) transport, e.g. in a baby carrier or child seat, or periods spent inside unnecessarily, this relates in particular to reducing consumption of screen media to a minimum:
  • Infants and toddlers: 0 minutes
  • Pre-school children: as little as possible, maximum of 30 minutes/day
  • Primary school children: as little as possible, maximum of 60 minutes/day
  • Adolescents: as little as possible, maximum of 120 minutes/day

• Limit the amount of screen time for children

• All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary for extended periods

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2011, Australian Government Department of Health 2017

Early years (0-4 years)

• 'Replacing time restrained or sedentary screen time with additional energetic play, and trading indoor for outdoor time, while preserving sufficient sleep, can provide greater health benefits'.

Infants (less than 1 year)

• 'Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. in a stroller or high chair). Screen time is not recommended. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged'.

Toddlers (1-2 years)

• Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. in a stroller or high chair) or sitting for extended periods. For those younger than 2 years, sedentary screen time is not recommended. For those aged 2 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour – less is better. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged'.

Pre-schoolers (3-4 years)

• Not being restrained for more than 1 hour at a time (e.g. in a stroller or a car seat) or sitting for extended periods. Sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour – less is better. When sedentary, engaging in pursuits such as reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged'.

For Children (5-11 years)

• 'For health benefits, children (aged 5-11 years) should minimize the time they spend being sedentary each day. This may be achieved by limiting recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day; lower levels are associated with additional health
• benefits. Limiting sedentary (motorized) transport, extended sitting and time spent indoors throughout the day.'

For Youth (12-17 years)

• 'Limiting recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day; lower levels are associated with additional health benefits. Limiting sedentary (motorized) transport, extended sitting and time spent indoors throughout the day.'