Kids are spending more time with screen media — and at younger ages — than ever before. In an effort to help families curb kids’ use, groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released numerical screen limit guidelines, but the reality is that there really is no magic number that’s “just right.” What’s more important is the quality of kids’ media, how it fits into your family’s lifestyle, and how you engage your kids with it.

The idea of screen time as a one-dimensional activity is changing — even the AAP, whose screen time rules had been strictly age-based, is recognizing that not all screen time is created equal. Computers, tablets, and smartphones are multipurpose devices that can be used for lots of purposes. Even so, the World Health Organization is sticking with specific screen time amounts on the theory that sedentary activities such as playing computer games is contributing to the global obesity epidemic. However, designating device use simply as “screen time” can miss some important variations. The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens identifies four main categories of screen time.

• Passive consumption: watching TV, reading, and listening to music
• Interactive consumption: playing games and browsing the Internet
• Communication: video-chatting and using social media
• ​Content creation: using devices to make digital art or music

Clearly, there’s a lot of difference among these activities. But as valuable as many of them can be, it’s still important for kids’ overall healthy development to balance their lives with enriching experiences found off screens. These tips can help:

Tip 1

Are They Complaining About Sore, Tired Eyes? Because children’s eyes are still developing, eye strain caused by screen time often has kids complaining. Vision Source claims headaches, neck and back pain, eye dryness and fatigue, blurry vision, and difficulty shifting focus to objects at a distance are all symptoms of eye strain. Once you connect the dots to their symptoms and their screen time, you can help make decisions about how much screen time is too much screen time – and how you can help them find balance.

Tip 2

Limit At-Home Screen Time The American Academy of Pediatrics (MP) has provided the following screen time recommendations:

1. 1. 1. For children younger than 18 months, avoid using screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming and watch it with their children to help them understand what they’re seeing.
      2. For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen time to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
      3. For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity, and other behaviors essential to health. Studies imply that, on average, the more time children spend outside, the lower their risk of developing myopia, or nearsightedness. Screen time can be tough on developing eyes.

Tip 3

Remind Children to Take Breaks This can be tough to enforce, but making sure your kids take screen time breaks is important. Kids can be oblivious to how many hours they’re actually spending in front of the TV or on your phone, so breaks are crucial to their eye health. In fact, kids are more likely to have uncorrected problems with their vision because they often assume that everyone sees the way they do. Discover the fun by visiting Queenwin now. This can further contribute to eye strain, especially after prolonged exposure to digital screens.

Also, the 20/20/20 rule comes in handy not only for kids but for adults as well! The 20/20/20 rule goes like this: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away from the screen in front of you/your child for 20 seconds. This gives eyes a much-needed break.

Tip 4

Take Children to an Eye Doctor You may not think of taking your kids to an optometrist, especially if they’re not showing signs of having any eye issues, but think again. According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, approximately 35 percent of American preschoolers have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, or astigmatism. Also, the risk of myopia and progression of myopia continues through the school years. The American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam every two years if no vision correction is required.

The reality is that most families will go through periods of heavy and light media use, but, so long as there’s a balance, kids should be just fine.

Sources:

1. How much screen time is OK for my kid(s)?
2. Explore Questions by Age

A typical back to school to-do list includes buying some new cloths, filling the school supply list of pencils, pens, notebooks, paper, etc. and getting a sports physical. What can be easily overlooked is getting an eye exam. Golden Eye Optometry knows how essential a comprehensive exam can be for your child’s vision, eye health and learning ability, but also understands that “back-to-school” can be an overwhelming time of year.
Early eye examinations are crucial to make sure children have normal, healthy vision so they can perform better at schoolwork and play. Early identification of a child’s vision problem can be crucial because children often are more responsive to treatment when problems are diagnosed early.

          Early eye exams also are important because children need the following basic skills related to good eyesight for learning:

• Near vision
• Distance vision
• Binocular (two eyes) coordination
• Eye movement skills
• Focusing skills
• Peripheral awareness
• Hand-eye coordination

Parents also need to be alert for the presence of vision problems such as ‘crossed’ eyes or ‘lazy’ eye. These conditions can develop at a young age. ‘Crossed’ eyes or strabismus involves one or both eyes turning inward (towards the nose) or outward. Amblyopia, known as ‘lazy’ eye, is a lack of clear vision in one eye, which can’t be fully corrected with eyeglasses. ‘Lazy’ eye often develops as a result of ‘crossed’ eyes, but may occur without noticeable signs. Lazy eye can be treated if caught early.
In addition, parents should watch their child for indication of any delays in development, which may signal the presence of a vision problem. Difficulty with recognition of colors, shapes, letters and numbers can occur if there is a vision problem. Children generally will not voice complaints about their eyes, therefore parents should watch for signs that may indicate a vision problem, including:

• Holds reading material closer than normal
• Omits or confuses small words when reading
• Sitting close to the TV or holding a book too close
• Squinting
• Tilting their head
• Constant eye rubbing
• Extreme light sensitivity
• Poor focusing
• Poor visual tracking (following an object)
• Abnormal alignment or movement of the eyes (after 6 months of age)
• Chronic redness of the eyes
• Chronic tearing of the eyes
• A white pupil instead of black

Scheduling Eye Exams for Your Child

If eye problems are suspected during routine physical examinations, a referral should be made to an eye doctor for further evaluation. Eye doctors have specific equipment and training to assist them with spotting potential vision problems in children.
When scheduling an eye exam for your child, choose a time when he or she usually is alert and happy.

Glasses and Contacts

          Keep these tips in mind for kids who wear glasses:

• Plastic frames are best for children younger than 2.
• Let kids pick their own frames.
• If older kids wear metal frames, make sure they have spring hinges, which are more durable.
• An elastic strap attached to the glasses will help keep them in place for active toddlers.
• Kids with severe eye problems may need special lenses called high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than plastic lenses.
• Polycarbonate lenses are best for all kids, especially those who play sports. Polycarbonate is a tough, shatterproof, clear thermoplastic used to make thin, light lenses. However, although they’re very impact-resistant, these lenses scratch more easily than plastic lenses.
• Your eye doctor can help you decide what type of vision correction is best for your child.

Specialists state that 80% of what your youngster learns in school is taught visually. Untreated vision troubles can put children at a substantial disadvantage. Be certain to arrange that your child has a complete eye exam before school starts.