Screen Time and Your Child: How Much is Too Much?
One question that's increasingly cropping up during children's eye exams is, "How long should my child use their iPad or tablet?" It's a legitimate concern in our digital age. The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society have addressed this issue by outlining screen time recommendations for children in 2017. These guidelines apply to all screen types, including TVs, computers, tablets, smartphones, and video games.
Here's a breakdown of the recommended screen time:
For children aged 0-2 years: Screen time is not advised, except for supervised video chats, which promote social interaction.
For children aged 2-5 years: The recommended maximum is an hour of combined screen time per day.
For children aged 5-19 years: A limit of 2 hours of recreational screen time per day is suggested. The term 'recreational' is included because screens are commonly used in educational settings, and this time isn't counted in the daily limit.
After an hour of continuous screen use, a break is required. Activities during these breaks should involve physical exercise, preferably outdoors, as outdoor activity can help decrease the risk of nearsightedness (myopia) in children. In fact, all children should be outside at least 2-hours a day to help reduce the risk of becoming nearsighted.
Minimizing screen usage at least an hour before bedtime is advisable for children and adults. The blue light emitted by screens can disturb sleep patterns; hence, keeping bedrooms screen-free is best.
In a 2014 study by the American Optometric Association, 88% of the surveyed children (aged 10-17) reported eye discomfort (itching, burning, tiredness, or blurriness) after device use. These symptoms are associated with Digital Eyestrain or Computer Vision Syndrome, often after 2 hours of continuous screen time. Along with eye discomfort, symptoms can include headaches, neck, back and shoulder pain, blurred or double vision, dry eyes, excessive blinking, or squinting.
If your child complains of any of these symptoms or if you notice them, schedule an eye exam with a Doctor of Optometry at Helio Optometry – conveniently located on 149th Street in Edmonton, anchoring the communities of Crestwood, Parkview, Sherwood and Jasper Gates. You can book your eye exam online or call us at 780-628-6855.
