screen time
noun
1
: the amount of time someone or something appears on screen in a movie or television show
… the widespread practice of product placement (in which companies buy screen time for their brands) …—
Celia Wren
Celia WrenPeck's role is only a cameo—23 minutes of screen time scattered through six and a half hours of edited film …—John Skow
John Skow2
: time spent watching television, playing a video game, or using an electronic device with a screen (such as a smartphone or tablet)
Concerns about children spending too much time on digital devices—'screen time'—and becoming overdependent on these devices are very real for many teachers and parents.—Nicky Hockly
Nicky HocklyIf yours is like most American families with kids under age 5, your child probably watches between three and four hours of television a day. That's a lot of screen time …—Debra Kent
Debra KentExamples of screen time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Swapping screen time for outdoor play or board games can help kids build real-world connections.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
Setting screen time limits didn't stop her son's spiral into violence and self-harm, Doe said.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Poor sleep hygiene, late-night snacking, and excessive screen time may also increase cravings and affect hormone regulation.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Two of the families’ complaints allege its Family Link service – an app that allows parents to set restrictions on screen time, apps and content filters – failed to protect their teens and led them to believe the app was safe.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screen time
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Melissa Willets, Parents, 18 Sep. 2025
Setting screen time limits didn't stop her son's spiral into violence and self-harm, Doe said.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Poor sleep hygiene, late-night snacking, and excessive screen time may also increase cravings and affect hormone regulation.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
Two of the families’ complaints allege its Family Link service – an app that allows parents to set restrictions on screen time, apps and content filters – failed to protect their teens and led them to believe the app was safe.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for screen time
Cite this Entry
“Screen time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screen%20time. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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