Finding a solution to this problem is not as simple as banning screens, as tablets and smartphones play an important role in children's daily lives and provide valuable educational and social opportunities.
A common problem faced by parents all over the world these days is keeping their children away from their phones and laptops unless absolutely necessary. In the digital age, where even schoolwork is expected to be done online, technology has become a necessity and there is no escaping it. But what most parents are trying to achieve is striking a balance between the time their children should spend online and engaging in other engaging offline activities to give their eyes a rest. We must not forget the fact that during the pandemic lockdown, children spent the majority of their time glued to screens as schools moved to virtual curriculum. This may have introduced some dependencies.
myopia
An eye disease called myopia has worried parents. It is one of the most common refractive errors affecting young people around the world. The increase in myopia cases in children is causing concern among parents and experts. While it's true that genetics play a role, heavy use of gadgets may also play a role.
Dr. Pradeep Sharma, pediatric ophthalmologist and strabismus specialist at New Delhi Vision Center, says excessive screen use during childhood can stunt eye growth. He says, “Continued focus on screens and lack of play time can cause the eyeballs to stretch, leading to nearsightedness.”
So what's the solution?
Doctors say finding a solution to the problem isn't as simple as banning screens. Devices such as tablets and smartphones play an important role in children's daily lives and provide valuable educational and social opportunities. Therefore, it is important to promote healthy screen habits while recognizing the importance of maintaining vision.
20:20:20 Guidelines
Dr. Sharma suggested following the “20:20:20” guideline. This means that every 20 minutes he looks at the screen he takes a 20 second break to focus on something 20 feet away. This method reduces eye fatigue and reduces the risk of myopia.
Other solutions
Here are some things parents can keep in mind:
- Include outdoor activities to offset the negative effects of prolonged screen use. Exposure to natural light has been shown to help prevent this problem.
- It is essential to educate children about the importance of maintaining eye health. Schools and health care providers have a role to play in raising awareness and promoting healthy screen habits from an early age.
- Encouraging mindfulness around screen time helps kids prioritize long-term vision and overall health.
- Advances in technology provide ways to navigate the digital environment responsibly. Try glasses that block blue light or apps that remind users to take breaks.
