My child spends time in front of screens, should I worry?
Nathalie Voide, a doctor in the paediatric strabology and ophthalmology unit at the Jules-Gonin Ophthalmic Hospital, explains that the use of screens is often a cause for concern among parents. It is currently more of a developmental and educational issue than a visual one. These days, children spend much more time in front of screens, and this causes addiction from a young age.
What are the effects of screens on the development of a child’s vision?
The use of the tablet, books or screens, in general, requires the near vision of the child. To see closely, the child uses autofocus of the eye and accommodation, which can cause symptoms of eye fatigue. The child may then complain at the end of the day of blurred vision or headaches. In some cases, the child develops hyperopia.
Excessive use of television, video games or the computer can promote the development of myopia in the more or less long term in children.
Apart from eye problems, the use of screens in toddlers increases the risk of sedentary behaviour and obesity. It can also have an impact on the quality of sleep. In some cases, overuse of screens can lead to behavioural problems in children.
What are the solutions to protect children’s eyes from screens?
The position of the screen: It’s important to adjust your child’s screen ergonomically. Visual fatigue and poor posture could lead to headaches or visual problems.
Encourage your child to go out: It’s difficult to completely banish screens from our daily lives. However, reducing the time spent in front of screens helps to avoid eye and visual problems. Encouraging children to play games outdoors supports the development of their vision. Replacing screen time with physical activities is essential for the child’s proper development.
Blinking: Screens greatly decrease the frequency of blinking, resulting in dry eyes. Encourage your child to blink more often in front of screens. If the child feels discomfort, a prescription for eye drops by an ophthalmologist is recommended.
What are tips for limiting screen time in children?
- Preventing the child from watching cartoons, using their tablet or playing video games is not always easy. There are tips for learning to spend less time in front of a screen:
- Set rules for limiting the use of screens: reduce or stop, for example, screen time in the evening in order to avoid the harmful effects of blue light emitted by screens.
- Adapt use according to age: According to the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA), children should not be exposed to screens before the age of three.
- Avoid the use of multiple screens: the more screens you have, the more you offer the opportunity for the child to use them.
Have you noticed difficulty concentrating or visual impairment in children? Please do not hesitate to contact your paediatrician or ophthalmologist.