Does Screen Time Cause Tantrums? How To Handle Them

Screen time can lead to tantrums, but with the right balance and boundaries, your child can enjoy screens without the meltdowns.

Updated November 5, 2025

by Karen Johnson

Medically reviewed by Rachel Tomlinson

Registered Psychologist

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A young child sits at a table, focused on a tablet in front of her. She is wearing a floral top and an apron, with scattered raisins near the tablet. There are kitchen items, including a scale and a dish, on the table. One might wonder if her screen time could cause tantrums later.

In This Article

Does Screen Time Cause Tantrums?
Using Screens To Calm a Child May Lead to More Tantrums
Prolonged Screen Exposure Can Drive Tantrums
Finding the Middle Ground To Manage Tantrums

The digital age. That’s what they call it, right? This tech-savvy, tech-dependent world is where our children are growing up. Kids today often know how to log in to an iPad and scroll until they find Ms. Rachel on YouTube before they can utter their first word. But does screen time cause tantrums?

To our grandparents, the whole concept of screen time seems backward and wrong. But it seems like it’s just the way of things to us. There are, of course, many parents still holding out and saying NO to the whole screen-time thing. And honestly, if it works for them, perfect. But for me, especially on the longest, coldest, rainiest days of being stuck in the house with a 4-year-old, 2-year-old, and newborn, you can be assured that my kids watch Paw Patrol and YouTube Kids and whatever else was available to get all of us through the day.

I’ll never judge a mom for allowing her kids screen time because I understand, and I’ve been there. However, we, the parents of the modern world, should consider the impact that excessive screen time has on our children and whether it causes tantrums.

Does Screen Time Cause Tantrums?

Research shows that too much screen time can overstimulate young brains and affect mood, sleep, and self-regulation.

Multiple studies say yes — unfortunately, screen time does cause tantrums and often affects children’s behavior, leading to health concerns such as obesity, sleep disturbance, and behavioral issues.^1,2,3

“Excessive screen time has been linked to school problems, anger, aggression, frustration, depression, and other emotional problems,” Aditi Garg, MBBS from Allina Health, says in this article. “Over-stimulation causes kids to have poor focus and depletes their mental energy, which often leads to explosive behavior.”¹⁰

In addition, Dr. Garg adds in the article that behavioral issues can arise from:

Less time for human interaction with family, friends, and nature
Less time engaging in relaxing activities, like art, crafts, or reading
Less time for fun, such as at the playground with friends
Sleep disruption, which can cause mood disturbance and cognitive issues
Lack of physical activity, which can also impact mood

When our kids sit for too long while staring at an overly stimulating screen, rather than getting up, moving around, getting fresh air, and relaxing their brains and eyes, it can have a negative impact on them. And those effects are often seen through negative behavior, such as tantrums.⁴

Using Screens To Calm a Child May Lead to More Tantrums

It might feel like an easy fix in the moment, but using screens to soothe big emotions can make emotional regulation harder long-term.

One article published on CNN Health addresses the impact of giving our kids screens to calm them down when they are having tantrums or showing “big emotions.”¹¹ It explains how this parenting tactic can potentially lead to more tantrums in the future, as a means of getting a little screen time.

“When you see your 3- to 5-year-old having a tough emotional moment, meaning they are screaming and crying about something, they’re getting frustrated; they might be hitting or kicking or lying on the floor. … If your go-to strategy is to distract them or get them to be quiet by using media, then this study suggests that is not helping them in the long term,” according to Dr. Jenny Radesky in the CNN article. Radesky is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Dr. Radesky added, “There are two problems with distracting with media: It takes away an opportunity to teach the child about how to respond to difficult emotions, and it can reinforce that big displays of their difficult emotions are effective ways to get what they want.”

In an article on Parenting Science, Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., echoes this sentiment about why teaching our children to cope with big emotions with a screen can be harmful. “Children end up with a very limited ability to handle difficult emotions,” she says in the article. “In essence, their emotion regulation ‘tool box’ contains a single trick: Soothe yourself with electronic entertainment devices. This could lead to further trouble. What if kids come to feel that screen time soothing is the only way to feel better? What if kids start showing signs of dependency and throw severe tantrums when they are asked to stop using electronic media?”¹²

Prolonged Screen Exposure Can Drive Tantrums

Prolonged exposure to screens with rapidly changing or moving stimuli (such as TV shows or games) during the ages of 2-6 predisposes the mind to seek and expect high levels of stimulation. This can result in difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and cognitive or communication issues. All of which can drive or influence increased tantrums.⁵

Therein lies the struggle. Are kids melting down because they are too dependent on screens? Are we creating screen-dependent kids by letting them soothe with technology? Or are we stuck in a damaging cycle of both?

So, is all screen time bad for our children?

The short answer is no; screen time can support digital literacy and problem-solving skills, which can improve educational development. Excessive screen time can be detrimental, and relying on it to cope with meltdowns in children’s lives isn’t necessarily the solution. However, as a mom of three, I’ll never chastise a parent for handing their kid the iPad to watch Bluey or letting their toddler play with their phone so Mom can talk with a friend over coffee.²

Blocking All Screen Access Is Unrealistic

Blocking all access to screen-time technology isn’t feasible. Schools use tablets, smartboards, and computers, even in preschool. Teachers and administrators recognize the value of students working at their own pace, hands-on, via apps rather than completing worksheets or using traditional books. My children were learning how to create PowerPoint presentations with friends in their Google Classrooms in kindergarten — something I didn’t experience until high school!

And look at the world. Are you going to a restaurant? You might need to order your food via your phone. Parking in the city? Need an app for that. Are you wondering how to get to your kids’ tournament next weekend and where the closest hotel is? Need to pay a bill? Find a reputable contractor? Check in at urgent care? Apps. Computers. Smartphones. Screens.

Our kids are growing up in this world, so the earlier they become accustomed to technology, the better. But does that mean it’s healthy for a 3-year-old to stare at a TV or tablet for 10 hours daily? Probably not, since it seems screen time causes tantrums.

Finding the Middle Ground To Manage Tantrums

A healthy balance is possible, and you can make screen time less stressful and more meaningful for your child.

So how do we find a middle ground? The Child Mind Institute suggests educational programs on PBS, such as “Sesame Street,” or open-ended apps like “choose your own adventure” games for young children. My kids love watching Bear Grylls and choosing his steps as he goes on adventures. They interacted and learned all sorts of incredible survival skills and nature facts!⁸

Shows and apps like these mean your little one is out of your hair for a hot minute, and they are learning things like empathy and kindness, as well as all about the amazing animals and plants that live in the sea. A win all around.

However, the same article advises parents to also remember that entertainment is just that: entertainment. Not every second of your child’s day needs to be structured or educational. Just like adults, kids also enjoy relaxing and watching TV. So next time your preschooler wakes you up before the sun, plop them in front of an episode of “Daniel Tiger,” and don’t feel guilty about it for a second.

Tantrums are part of growing up, but these strategies can help your child handle transitions and develop better self-control.

Most experts agree that children must express their emotions and see and hear us validate them. Just like we get frustrated when things don’t go our way, so do they. That doesn’t mean we give in, though. That means we get down to their level, look them in the eye, and calmly say, “I know it’s sometimes hard when we must turn the iPad off. It’s okay to be upset.”

But we hold the boundary. The iPad is still turned off. We validate that it’s normal and okay to be sad about it.⁶

Healthy Little Sleepers discusses the importance of recognizing and understanding their big emotions. “They’re mad and upset at having to stop something they were enjoying, and on top of that, they’re dealing with a genuine dopamine surge and reeling brain,” the article explains. “Help them come down from that crash by connecting with them and acknowledging that you know they’re having a hard time.” ⁸

Reacting to their anger with our own anger only intensifies the negativity and fails to achieve any objectives, such as helping kids understand why they need to take a break.

Tips To Manage Screen Time To Avoid Tantrums

You’ve empathized with their anger and frustration. What’s next? How do you and your child move forward with a healthy screen-time relationship that has limits?

Here are some tips to help your child develop healthy screen habits.^9,13,14

Set and maintain consistent rules regarding the amount of screen time allowed.
Don’t use screen time as a reward or punishment.
Monitor and help choose what your child is watching, and watch with them.
Give your child something to do both inside and outside the home, such as chores or activities.
Be a role model and follow the same rules you set for your children.

Communicating to your toddler that there will only be two episodes of “Elmo” and that’s it, so there are no surprises that might upset them. Also, parents may find it helpful to disable the feature on streaming devices that automatically play the next show. Watching a new show start, as they’ve been told it’s time to turn their device off, can be upsetting for kids. Having a pre-recorded show that simply ends with nothing automatically following it, or having that feature turned off, makes the transition smoother.

Excessive screen time can overstimulate children, leading to tantrums and behavioral issues.
Using screens to calm kids may hinder their ability to manage emotions long-term, potentially increasing tantrums.
Prolonged exposure to rapidly changing screen content can result in hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating, further driving tantrums.
Finding a balance in screen time is possible, with educational content being a healthier option compared to excessive entertainment.
Setting clear rules and monitoring screen use helps manage screen time, minimizing tantrums while promoting healthy habits.

Remember that young children are emotional and still learning to process their big feelings. If your child melts down in front of Grandma over turning off Bluey, it’s okay. Tantrums over screen time are completely normal. You’re still a good parent.

And trust me, if Grandma had a tablet when her kids were little, she would’ve handed it over in a heartbeat to keep them entertained, too. What matters most is balance, connection, and giving yourself grace. You’re doing great, and you’ve got this.

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