Screens have replaced books and board games as the preferred babysitter for children. Screens have replaced books and toys as children’s constant companions, from cellphones and tablets to computers and televisions.
But as much as screens bring unlimited amusement and instruction, they may also give children a nasty case of “screen strain” and negatively impair their vision and eye health.
Children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7 hours a day using entertainment media, such as television, computers, video games, and the internet, according to a survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
When compared to just 15 years ago, when the average was only 1 hour and 38 minutes per day, this is tremendous growth.
How Screens Affect Vision
Prolonged screen time can cause a number of vision-related issues in children, including:
Eyestrain: Staring at a screen for a long time can make your eyes tired and hurt. This condition is referred to as eyestrain.
Think of your eyes as tiny athletes who have just finished a strenuous workout. Screens don’t give them the break they need. Headaches, blurred vision, and dry, itchy eyes are all signs of eyestrain.
Nearsightedness: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more likely to develop in kids who spend a lot of time staring at screens, according to studies.
This is due to the fact that screens are often viewed up close, which puts more strain on the eyes than necessary.
The eye may elongate as a result of the increased near labor, which might result in myopia. In other words, screens are transforming our children into ninjas with poor vision.
Blurred Vision: Children who spend a lot of time staring at screens may also develop vision haziness as a result of their eyes becoming less able to focus on distant objects.
This occurs because the eyes are not taught to naturally shift their focus from close to far away distances. Our children’s eyesight is becoming fuzzy due to screens.
Blue Light Hazard: Screens emit a lot of blue light, which can be harmful to the eyes, interfere with sleep cycles, and potentially raise the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Not only are screens taxing on our children’s eyes, but they also keep them up at night.
The Importance of Taking Breaks
It’s crucial for kids to take regular pauses from using screens in order to help prevent these vision-related problems. The eyes will have a chance to relax and refocus as a result, which can assist to lessen eye strain.
Here are some pointers for taking breaks:
- Children should be reminded to take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes by setting a timer.
- encouraging kids to focus on a distant item or to look out a window
- Applying the “20-20-20” guideline entails gazing 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
- Encourage children to be active and cut down on sedentary behavior
- Children should be urged to obtain enough rest.
- Use blue-light-blocking screens.
To Sum Up
Despite the fact that screens can be a useful tool for kids, it’s crucial to be aware of the possible harm they may do to eyesight and eye health. Parents can reduce the hazards linked with excessive screen usage by taking regular breaks and promoting healthy habits.
And keep in mind! This is not just for kids—adults can use it too! We should all be aware of how much time we spend focusing on screens and take the appropriate precautions to safeguard our vision.
