Parents Need to Remind Kids to Take a Digital Break

One of the biggest changes in education that occurred due to the pandemic was the shift to more digital learning than ever. Teachers had to rely on programs like Google Classroom or Schoology to access their students during lockdowns, and now that we have mostly returned to in-person education, many teachers have stuck with assigning things digitally. If kids are spending so much time on screens at school and during their free time at home, when are they being reminded to take a digital break?

On average, teens are spending nine hours a day on screens.  Add that to the average four and a half hours a day of homework children under 18 years old have during the school year, and it’s clear that there is no way to avoid being on screens completely as a young person. This issue becomes concerning when you understand how damaging screens can be to young eyes.

Young eyes are still developing, so you don’t need to be a doctor to figure out that nine hours in front of a screen can be damaging. Generally, kids don’t exercise the same self-control as adults when it comes to playing video games or staring at their phones, the same way they eat candy on Halloween until they hurl. Kids don’t know their limits, but parents should.

The Dangers of the Digital Age

Before the digital age truly bloomed, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Digital Eye Strain most commonly affected office workers in their mid-30s who spent eight-hour days in front of a computer screen. However, this eye syndrome is no longer exclusive to office workers.

A study recently found that 53 percent of children ages 11 and up now own their own smartphone. Smartphones are more than just a cellphone. They’re tiny computers that fit in your pocket making it easily accessible anywhere you go. Additionally, nearly 90 percent of children ages 13-17 report that they use social media. These two statistics add up to a lot of screen time.

This aforementioned lack of self-control is the exact reason why so many schools have been forced to implement restrictions on cellphone use during school and in classrooms. Though these restrictions are in place to reduce distractions, they also give children’s eyes a digital break.

Computer Vision Syndrome in Children

Some symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, eye strain, and dry eyes. If your child exhibits two or more of these symptoms, a trip to your eye doctor may be needed.

Treating CVS varies from person to person. One treatment is to get prescription glasses specifically for computers or other screens. This relieves the eye strain that comes with being focused on a screen for long periods of time.

Another treatment is changing the way your child looks at their screens. For example, changing the angle of the screen and getting a glare filter can drastically change the amount of strain on their eyes. This treatment is often used for more mild cases of CVS and computer-related vision problems.

The third treatment is to take a daily vision-enhancing vitamin supplement, which can be found right here on our website. Eye vitamins not only reduce the strain taken on by the eyes but also work to strengthen the eyes and prevent digital eye strain from making a recurring appearance along with other eye-related syndromes and diseases.

Dos and Don’ts

Like anything, there are good ways and bad ways to approach teaching your kids about taking a digital break. The idea isn’t to make them quit cold turkey. It’s to teach them how to responsibly use screens without harming their eyes.

Don’t

A big DON’T is to scold them for spending too much time on their tablet or phone or playing video games. We live in a digital age, whether our eyes like it or not. It’s important for your kids to grow up with a good relationship to technology without abusing it. Taking away their screens will only be met with strong backlash. That’s why moderation is key.

Dos

There are a lot more dos than don’ts. This is first one is DO take a break. If they don’t actually get up and walk around, at least have them stop to look out the window or at something still that won’t strain the eye. Our 10-10-10 Rule is a great eye exercise for anyone who spends long periods of time in front of a digital device. It allows your child’s eyes to readjust and refocus, reducing the strain.

Another DO is to set boundaries. Let’s say you allow your child four hours of screen time a day. Make it is up to them to split that time between phone use, computer use, video games, TV, etc. This gives them some freedom and responsibility when it comes to using technology. It also teaches them to be picky about what they use.

You can also set boundaries for your children as to when technology is off-limits. For example, maybe no phones are allowed during meal times, or two hours a day are set aside for outdoor activities where technology is not permitted. Also, consider reducing the amount of screen time they get before bed. Because blue light emitted from the screen can interrupt circadian rhythm cycles, it’s important to limit screen time for a good night’s rest.

Be the Example: Take a Digital Break

One last DO is to set a good example for your children. Don’t just tell them what to do, show them. By exercising your own self-control over technology use, you’ll be leading the way for your kids and improving your own eye health. Use time off from school to cultivate non-screen-related hobbies with your kids.

Screens aren’t the bad guys here. Our unwillingness to let go of them is. By re-evaluating your own personal technology use and your family, you’re on your way to having healthier and happier eyes as well as quality of life. Don’t be stuck in front of a computer all day. Get up for a walk, or pick up your favorite book.