How much gaming is OK for my kid?

Why the “1 hour / 2 hour rule” is out of date

In January 2026 the AAP published a new policy statement, “Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents” (in *Pediatrics*, February 2026). It replaces the AAP's earlier media guidance (AAP news release). Many pages still quote “the AAP says 1 hour a day” or “the 2-hour rule”. Those are older rules, not current AAP policy.

Neither the AAP's announcement nor its parent explainer gives a number of hours. Instead, families are told to make a Family Media Plan, model healthy habits, and keep media-free times and places, such as the car, dinnertime or weekends (HealthyChildren.org). In the AAP's words, families should “move beyond simple screen-time limits and focus on quality, context and conversation” (AAP policy explained). The AAP's Center of Excellence describes it as a shift from limits to “children's overall well-being” (AAP Center of Excellence).

If you feel behind on this, you're not alone. In a 2025 Pew survey, 42% of parents said they could be doing better at managing their child's screen time (Pew Research Center).

What to do by age

The AAP groups kids into early childhood (0–5), school age (6–12) and teens (13–18) (AAP news release). Here's what the guidance says for each, and what it means for games.

For 5-year-olds, the WHO's numbers stop at age 4 and the AAP gives no hour figure, so a gentle, play-it-together approach still fits. Roblox details are from its Parental Controls Overview.

Use the AAP's 5 Cs instead of a stopwatch

The AAP's “5 Cs” are Child, Content, Calm, Crowding out and Communication (AAP news release). Here's how they translate to games:

• Child: what is your kid like? A kid who gets wound up by fast games needs different rules from one who plays calmly.
• Content: what are they actually playing? An hour of a building game isn't the same as an hour in a game that doesn't fit their age.
• Calm: can they stop when time is up, and settle down after? Meltdowns at the end are a signal, not a failure.
• Crowding out: what does gaming replace? If sleep, school, friends and outdoor play are fine, the hours matter less.
• Communication: do you talk about what they play and who they play with? Ask them to show you their favourite game.

What they play and who with matter as much as how long

A time limit only answers how much. It says nothing about what's on the screen or who's on the other end. On Roblox, each game's maturity label comes from a questionnaire the game's own creator fills out (Roblox Help: Content Maturity Ratings; labels explained).

Online games are also social. Ofcom's 2025 UK research found that 31% of children who game online play with or against people they don't know, including about a third of 8–12-year-olds (Ofcom, 2025). That's why your plan should cover who your kid can chat with, not just how long they play (more on strangers in games).

Gaming is growing, too. Gaming time among kids 0–8 rose 65% since 2020 (Common Sense Media, 2025). So it's worth a regular look at the actual games, not just the clock. On Roblox, your kid's Top games list shows what they played most last week (how to find it).

Sleep and screen-free zones

This is where the AAP is most specific. It says to turn off all screens at least an hour before bed and keep screens out of children's bedrooms, especially at night (AAP: Healthy Sleep Habits). Bedrooms and mealtimes are good screen-free places to start (AAP policy explained).

Games are a particular problem before bed. Screens can make kids more alert and raise heart rate, especially action-packed games, and screen light can disrupt melatonin (AAP Q&A: Screen Time Affecting Sleep).

• Consoles and tablets charge outside the bedroom overnight.
• Last game ends an hour before bed. Give a 10-minute warning so they can save.
• No games at meals or in the car on short trips, if that suits your family.

How to set limits that stick

Agree on the plan with your kid first, then use the tools to back it up. Each tool only covers its own app or device, so pick the ones that match where your kid plays.

Set Roblox's daily limit

1. Sign in to your own linked parent account and go to Settings → Parental Controls.
2. Tap your kid's name, then find Screen time.
3. Tap Manage next to the chart, then Daily limit.
4. Choose No limit or a limit in 15-minute steps.

Steps from Roblox's Managing Screen Time article. Remember the limit controls how long, not what (why limits aren't enough).

If gaming keeps crowding out sleep, school or friends, or stopping always ends in a big fight, that's worth raising with your pediatrician. It's a common question, not a parenting failure.