4 ways parents may give kids’ eyes a break from screens
Children may spend a lot of time in front of digital devices. Here’s what parents may do to help protect them from digital eye strain.
More than ever these days, children get absorbed in their screens, whether it be a smartphone, tablet or TV. And that may not be so good for their eyes.
One study found that 68% of children use computers on a regular basis, and another study found that 50% of children have digital eyestrain, also known as computer vision syndrome.1
What are the potential causes of digital eye strain? For one thing, letters on a computer screen may not be as clear as those on a printed page. And if a child wears glasses, the angle or distance they see the screen at may not work well with their prescription, making their eyes have to work harder.
How might parents identify symptoms of computer vision syndrome in their kids? How might they help give their kids’ eyes a break from screen time? Find out here.
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What might be some symptoms of digital eye strain in kids?
If a child is experiencing digital eyestrain, it may be difficult for them to put it into words. So, parents will want to look out for symptoms, such as these, that children might complain of:2
- Blurry vision
- Dry eye
- Feeling discomfort, such as eye tiredness, itchiness and tearing
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Red eyes
- Seeing double
- Shoulder pain
These symptoms might not only be caused by screen time. They might also happen because of:2
- Glare on a digital screen
- Poor lighting
- Poor seating posture
- Uncorrected vision issues, such as farsightedness (having trouble seeing objects up close) or astigmatism (having trouble seeing objects up close and far away)
- Viewing a screen too close
If a child mentions that they’re experiencing any of these issues, it could be a good idea to book an appointment with their pediatrician or an eye care provider. They’ll be able to properly diagnose what’s going on with the child’s eyes and offer treatment options if needed.
How might digital eye strain affect a child besides their eyes?
Digital eye strain may also be bad for children in other ways, beyond their eyes.
“Computer vision syndrome affects concentration, efficiency and even sleep cycles,” says Jacqueline M. Bowen, O.D. She’s an eyecare provider in Greeley, Colorado.
Children may not connect these problems with time in front of their screens, because the condition may come and go depending on when a child may be looking at a screen. “Even children and teens with very clear vision frequently suffer, unknowingly, from computer vision syndrome,” Dr. Bowen points out.
How long might be too long for children to look at screens?
One study found that children ages 8 to 14 who spend between 3 and more than 4 hours looking at a smartphone screen daily may have more digital eyestrain than children who spend less time doing so.3
That amount of screen time for children may seem like a lot to some parents, especially if they’re not keeping track. But it shows how important it may be to know how often children may be in front of screens and potentially straining their eyes.
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What might parents do to give their children’s eyes a break?
Scheduling an appointment with an eye care provider may be a great start. But an eye care provider won’t be able to monitor children’s screen time 24/7 — nor may parents.
For parents looking to better protect their children’s eyes from digital eye strain, here are 4 tips they may want to try:
- Teach them the 20-20-20 method. It may be a good idea for children to look away from their screen every 20 minutes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.4 Then, they’ll want to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds, which will help them refocus their eyes. After 2 hours of work on a screen, it’s a good idea for children to give their eyes a 15-minute break.
- Adjust the glare on their screen. If there’s no mechanism to adjust the glare on a child’s screen, Dr. Bowen suggests using a glare filter, a clear panel that fits over a screen and makes looking at it much more comfortable on the eyes. (For more information on reducing glare and eye strain, download this helpful guide.)
- Check the angle of their computer monitor. The Mayo Clinic advises placing a child’s computer monitor directly in front of the child, at an arm’s length away.5 The top of the screen should be at or slightly lower than the child’s eye level. The child’s desk chair may also be adjusted to meet these measurements.
- Get their eyes checked regularly. A child’s pediatrician may check their vision during a checkup, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.6 If they detect any vision problems, the doctor may refer the child to an eye care provider for further evaluation and treatment. Getting a child’s eyes examined regularly may be a good way to keep on top of issues such as digital eye strain.
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Sources:
- Let there be light — Digital eye strain (DES) in children as a shadow pandemic in the era of COVID-19: A mini review Frontiers in Public Health, August 2022.
- Computer vision syndrome American Optometric Association.
- Association between time spent on smartphones and digital eye strain: A 1-year prospective observational study among Hong Kong children and adolescents Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, March 2023.
- 6 tips to help combat computer vision syndrome Cleveland Clinic, July 2022.
- Eyestrain Mayo Clinic, September 2022.
- Keep an eye on your child’s vision Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 2024.
