Can Viewing Screens Regularly Affect Children’s Eye Health?

Jun 3, 2020 | Cyber Parenting - Screen Time

Dr Nigel Best, clinical spokesperson for Specsavers

All evidence to date has failed to establish any link between screen use and long-term eye problems. However, recent research found that children who are regularly cooped up at home are more susceptible to short-sightedness, compared with those who spend more time outdoors.

“Staring at a computer screen all day can cause several symptoms including dry and aching eyes and headaches. But these symptoms are transient and tend to go away when you stop using the screen. There’s no evidence that long-term screen use damages vision. If you experience symptoms relating to screen work, you should discuss these with your optician.”

Start young with eye-care, some parents don’t realise that the age of eight is often too late to correct eye conditions such as a squint or a lazy eye, which can lead to lifelong problems.

“I recommend an eye examination for all children when they start reception and that they’re re-tested as often as their optician advises. Each child’s eyesight continues to develop right up to the age of eight and a number of eye-care issues can be corrected by an optician if detected before this time.”

Vision screening is being made available at no cost to all 27,000 primary and secondary schools in the UK, through funding.

Source: Vodafone DP

Screen time — how much is too much?

💻 Earlier in March, social media app TikTok revealed it would by setting up a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users aged under 18. If young people hit the new limit, they will have to enter a passcode to continue to use the service that day. 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Parents of...

Family Gaming Tips

It’s well known that there are lot of games that can be played as a family together on screens, whether that is on an Xbox, PlayStation, tablet or computer. Games can be educational, fun and competitive. Play together. Keep games consoles in communal rooms and play...

Get on Top of Screens

Location! One of the best ways to avoid disputes before bed is to create spaces in the home where tech is stored at night and agree a time at which everything is put away. Ideally, we should be switching off devices at least one hour before bed and charging them out...

How to Manage your Child’s Screen Time

Few parents are able to ban all screens in the household, but some feel guilty on how long their children spend on them. Whether that is on a phone, computer, tablet or watching TV, some feel the need to allow extra screen time to allow them to get things done like...

Sleeping vs Scrolling

A recent Ofcom study found that 70% of young people miss sleep because of online habits. Most of us will have hated bedtime as children. When we had to leave our parents or some exciting event to get the sleep we needed. As adults, we now know we really do need sleep....

Other articles on Screen Time you might enjoy:

Screen time — how much is too much?

Screen time — how much is too much?

💻 Earlier in March, social media app TikTok revealed it would by setting up a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users aged under 18. If young people hit the new limit, they will have to enter a passcode to continue to use the service that day. 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Parents of...

read more
Family Gaming Tips

Family Gaming Tips

It’s well known that there are lot of games that can be played as a family together on screens, whether that is on an Xbox, PlayStation, tablet or computer. Games can be educational, fun and competitive. Play together. Keep games consoles in communal rooms and play...

read more
Get on Top of Screens

Get on Top of Screens

Location! One of the best ways to avoid disputes before bed is to create spaces in the home where tech is stored at night and agree a time at which everything is put away. Ideally, we should be switching off devices at least one hour before bed and charging them out...

read more
Sleeping vs Scrolling

Sleeping vs Scrolling

A recent Ofcom study found that 70% of young people miss sleep because of online habits. Most of us will have hated bedtime as children. When we had to leave our parents or some exciting event to get the sleep we needed. As adults, we now know we really do need sleep....

read more