screen time

American  

[skreen tahym] / ˈskrin ˈtaɪm /

Or screentime

noun

1. the amount of time devoted to a particular actor, topic, plot line, etc., in a film or TV show.

   The female characters got less screen time than the male characters in all the film festival nominations.

2. Digital Technology. the amount of time a person spends watching or interacting with content on the screen of a computer, phone, TV, gaming console, etc..

   What's the maximum amount of screen time recommended for children under two?

---

Etymology

Origin of screen time

First recorded in 1915–20, and in 1990–95 screen time for def. 2

Example Sentences

MacDonald says there are several key factors which hinder parents from restricting their children's screen time adequately, including limited time due to work commitments, as well as the cost and availability of local activities.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

In the book, you describe screen time as the “ultra-processed food” of the arts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

I mean that AI now sits squarely atop the pile of modern parents’ anxieties, having rapidly eclipsed boogeymen like screen time and social media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Tech companies have been responding to mental health concerns, rolling out new parental controls so parents can keep track of their children’s screen time and moderating harmful content.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

“I don’t hear an apology. You’ve already lost five minutes from your screen time today. The longer it takes, the more you’ll lose.”

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day