How much time is your kid spending looking at a screen?
How much time is your kid spending looking at a screen? Whether it’s their phones, tablets, TV or computers, kids are spending too much time looking at screens and that blue light exposure could be dangerous to their health. VSP Global released a survey Thursday that showed that by age 17, children will have spent the equivalent of nearly six years (one-third of their life) on digital devices. Blue light is a high-energy light that is emitted from all digital devices (televisions, tablets, computers, mobile phones etc.) which can be very difficult for our eyes to focus on, causing digital eye strain, sleep deprivation or even potentially vision loss over time. Blue light exposure is particularly harmful to children as they have yet to develop the pigment that protects their eyes from penetrating blue light waves. The survey shows that more than half of parents are unaware of the effects blue light exposure has on them and their kids. It shows that two-thirds of families believe they spend too much time on digital devices and almost half went as far to say that their kids are addicted to it.
Tips for Reducing Blue Light Exposure:
• 20/20/20 Rule: Don’t forget to take a break when using technology! Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Keep Your Distance: The impact blue light has on your eye health exponentially increases as it gets closer to your face. Any handheld devices should be about an arm’s length away from your eyes/face. This is especially important for children as they have shorter arms and therefore receive a more intense dose of blue light from devices.
• Shut Down Devices Before Bed: Blue light exposure before bed can suppress melatonin production, ultimately throwing off your circadian rhythm and preventing you from being able to fall asleep. VSP Global recommends steering clear of all devices at least two hours before bed.
• Annual Eye Exams: An annual trip to the eye doctor is critical for the entire family (especially children). Ask your eye doctor about the best options to help you or your child reduce eye strain.
