Views of preschool-age children's screen time among mothers with low incomes

We analyze views of young children's screen time among mothers with low incomes in the United States. Public health messages direct parents to limit screen time for young children and to watch with them. Research is limited with racially diverse and low-income parents to understand their views of screen time, especially for preschoolers. We drew on interviews with 63 mothers who had preschool-age children and lower incomes, most of whom identified as women of color. We analyzed what children's screen time meant to mothers and how they used it in parenting. Mothers reported that children often had autonomy over screen time within parameters parents set by restricting devices, apps, and content. Children often used screen media alone or with siblings. Mothers saw screen media as supporting children's learning, emotion regulation, and daily routines and as a way to occupy children to allow parents time for chores and work. Mothers reported using children's screen time in ways that helped build the family lives they wanted, given the structural constraints they experienced and the resources they had. Recommendations that parents substantially limit children's screen time should be considered in light of the functions it serves or how these limits would place higher demands on parents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).