5 Screen Time Rules for Kids

Kids spending more time in front of the screen can result in various health issues such as headaches, shoulder and neck pain, fatigue, or eyes strain. According to survey Pew Research Center, 71% of the surveyed parents admitted to being overly concerned about how their kids are spending too much time on screens. While screens are still a more significant part of their day-to-day life, there are simple and doable tips parents can implement in their homes to save their vision.

Thinking that your children will stop using modern devices/tools in the 21st century is not realistic. However, there are rules you can impose in your home to lessen the risk of vision and eye problems due to prolonged use of digital devices and computers:

1.     Maintain Safe Distance from the Devices

With mobile gadgets, particularly phones, kids spend much time on the screen reading at 8 to 10 inches away. With such distance, instead of being comfortable in a straight-ahead position, their eyes turn to focus on the screen. Within a short time of turning, it causes eye muscles fatigue leading to vision problems and headache. This is the reason why nearsightedness condition has increased by 25% over the last 40 years.

The safe distance to keep between the digital devices and the eye-level recommended by pediatric ophthalmologists is two feet away. Any distance closer than this will require them to focus harder to keep the image sharp, and it can potentially worsen myopia and cause strain. Hence, ensure they maintain the required safe distance of two feet away. To make your kid’s digital fun time engaging, you can also consider interesting podcasts to listen or even audiobooks

5 Screen Time Rules for Kids

2.     Encourage Regular Visual Breaks

Once the parents see that their children are spending more time on the screen, they make a huge mistake buying their kids the highly marketed blue-light-blocking glasses. They believe that these glasses will help reduce and eye strain. However, the best step they can make is by advising their kids to follow the 20/20/20 rule. This is a rule where they train the kids to take breaks from the screen every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It helps return the eyes to their natural position and get the much-required break.

3.     Make it a Rule to Play Outside

Being outdoors protects the kid’s eyes compared to indoors, where every object is at close range. Besides, the bright light causes dopamine release in the eye, causing the eyeball to grow. Time outdoor has many benefits, including reducing the likelihood of kids developing myopia by 50%. If they have been given more assignment that requires much time of their screen, consider getting them a tutor to provide essay writing service plagiarism free assignment. This way, they will get time to play outdoors. Research involving 10,000 kids showed that every extra hour they spent outdoor every week reduced myopia risks by 2%. Bright right stimulates a release of dopamine which slows down eye growth hence prevents myopia.

4.     Don’t Skip Vision Screenings

Make it a rule in your home to schedule annual eye exams to ensure they see well and have healthy eyes. Vision screening is vital as it will help you identify potential problems and shouldn’t be postponed due to the school calendar or other commitments. Remember, you can always get them a tutor from an online essay writing service to help them catch up with other students if their eye clinic is scheduled during school time.

You can get a professional tutor from TypeMyEssays who will quickly understand their needs on the deepest level. Not only with their essays but with even other assignments and classwork. The benefit of visiting eye examinations annually is that other than performing special eye tests, they will also provide recommendations to lessen symptoms and risk for computer eye strain. You don’t want your kids to miss those benefits.

5.     Establish Media-Free Time

Implement a rule where they know they shouldn’t use digital devices and use this time to connect as a family. They can as well use this time to have free play. Besides giving their eyes an excellent off-screen break, free play is vital for healthy brain development. It allows them to use their creativity to develop physical, dexterity, and cognitive and imagination abilities. It’s only through play at an early age that they will interact with the world around them.

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Meet the Teacher 2024_Brian Selke

Meet The Teacher: Brian Selke

Computer Immersion Instructional Coach | Redding, CA | Redding School District | Grades: 2nd – 8th Tell us a little bit about your

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