Blue Light and Eye Development – How much screen time is okay for my kid?
With all of the current shifts to online learning and practices of self-isolation, we know that one of the major concerns of parents at this time is the question of blue-light, screen time, and the impacts of screens on eye development. Parents now, more than ever, are posed with the question: “how much screen time is okay for my kids?” and have to make decisions about new rules that need to be put in place to ensure the safety of our children’s developing eyes.
Overuse of screens can lead to potential computer vision syndrome, digital eye strain, and a serious impact on the posture of a human body, all of which are seen in users of a variety of ages. Hence, knowing that there are serious impacts in regards to the over usage of screens, it is time to reflect on our consumption!
Fraser Health, a local health authority, published their own findings on the topic which we distilled for you in our own attempts to answer this question in the best way possible.
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, children under the age of two are not recommended to have any screen time at all. Children aged two to five are recommended to screen time of less than one hour a day and children older than five are recommended to spend less than two hours a day on screens. These recommendations were obviously created in the pre-COVID period, so with the shift to online learning, exceptions will need to be made, but the overall message is pretty clear. The less screen time, the better for the eyes.
The Fraser Health Authority recommends that implementing screen time habits and expectations in the younger years can really help to set a precedent for habitual technological-usage behaviour later on in the child’s life. Established patterns and routines make for success. Communicating the said routines to other adults and caregivers is also necessary, as routines do best when everyone is on the same page!
Note that, as always, you are the role model that children observe. They may become distracted from other items if they notice you watching TV in their vicinity or presence, and your own control over your phone may reflect in their behaviour. Turning off the TV during meal times can be a critical habitual action, allowing for the family to focus on what’s going on in front of them, and commanding the presence of the family as you dine together. Although great for preventing burglary, when no one is watching the TV, turn it off! There’s no need for the excess noise and blue light if that is not your focus. Instead, turn to radio, podcasts, or a good-old-fashioned disco dance party to turn the beat up!
One clear rule is that screens must be avoided before bedtime. The blue light emitted from most devices is noted to have a clear causational relationship with the quality of our sleep, and thus it is necessary that we put them away from our sleeping quarters. If your child has a device, make sure to know where the device is at all times, and ensure that it is placed somewhere out of the bedroom before bedtime routines can begin.
Lastly, make sure that you’re prioritizing other activities over screen usage. Exercise, social-distance walks outside, crafts, and games are many eye-friendlier ways of spending time and do not command the same effort of the eyeball as our addicting screens.
Don’t feel guilty if a screen helps to convey an educational lesson or gives you a temporary break, and please don’t be discouraged or upset at yourself! You’re doing the best you can with what’s going on right now in the world – but with all of this information, in time, take a moment to reflect on your own device consumption, perhaps open up your phone’s “Screen Time” data under settings, and be conscious of your screen consumption. Know your child’s’ points of contact with blue-light and screens and monitor the connection. You’re doing great, and we hope you learned something!
The TTK Team.
Check our more reading and our sources here:
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/children-computer-vision-syndrome.htm
- https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/children-and-youth/physical-activity-for-children/screen-time-for-children
- https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/screen-time-and-obstacles-physical-activity-children
- https://www.live5210.ca/resources/downloads/