Today's children handle new technologies from a very young age. Computers, tablets, televisions, consoles, ... invade our homes and the little ones become the kings of their use. Even in many classrooms the use of new technology is being applied in teaching. These devices have their good side and their bad side to them, it is convenient to know the effects of electronic devices on children's eyesight.
The use of new technologies in children
At the end of the week, if we calculated the hours that our eyes are in front of a screen, we would be amazed. Well now imagine it in a child who is in full development.
It is increasingly common to see children who control their parents' phones and tablets better than they do. They have their good part: improve their learning, work skills, learn by playing… But we must also be aware of the vision problems that can bring for children and adults if they are not used correctly.
Before, children were only exposed to televisions, which was the most common in homes. But now times have changed and smartphones and tablets are in almost every home. Today's children have these technologies at hand since they are born, and many parents make use of them to entertain them while they eat, while they dress, while they are in the car ...
Children need fresh air for their correct physical and mental development. Your eyes need natural light. Children learn by interacting with things, touching different textures, listening to different sounds, ... and being glued to a screen puts them a barrier to interact with the world. It can be comfortable and funny for parents, but the contraindications it has for children is to think twice. Let's see how electronic devices can affect eyesight.
How do electronic devices affect eyesight?
Straining your eyes for hours to focus on the various screens in close range, it is causing many cases of myopia In children. Children no longer look into the distance, they look at very short distances and the eye gets used to it, it dries up by not blinking and the eyes get tired. Experts rate this trend in a epidemic in the new generation, which will have vision problems in the vast majority if limits are not placed on its use.
Before, the children who wore glasses were very few, the "weirdos". Now the rare thing is to see a child without glasses in schools. Every time it will go to more, and not only myopia, but also the eye fatigue, blurred vision, neck and head pain, stress, socialization problems ...
That is why it is necessary to sensitize the population to the consequences of the excessive use of electronic devices on children.
What can we do to avoid these effects?
Well, very simple. There are some tips that both children and adults can follow to protect our eyesight. Let's see what they are:
- Children must pass more time outdoors and less at home.
- Limit hours of use of electronic devices. Put some rules at home to regulate its use. Two hours a day in total should not be exceeded. Before 2 years they are not recommended, even some experts do not recommend them before 5 years.
- Rest your eyes when we use a device every 20-30 minutes.
- Doing periodic reviews annually to children from one year of age. If you detect any abnormalities earlier, take them to an eye doctor.
- Keep a minimum distance with screens of about 30-40 centimeters.
- Put the display brightness to minimum to avoid eye fatigue and avoid damage to the retinas.
Sight is one of our most important senses and we must take care of it.
Because remember ... parents have an obligation to protect the health of our children.