How to limit your child’s screen time with digital apps
Too much screen time can cause eye strain, irritability and other discomfort for kids. It can also raise their risk for myopia, also known as nearsightedness.
By limiting your child’s screen time, you can help protect their developing eyesight and encourage them to find a balance between technology and the world outside of the screen.
Use this cheat sheet to limit kids' screen time — from YouTube and Snapchat to Xbox One and more.
Talk to your kids about screen time
It’s important for your child to understand why too much screen time can be harmful to their eyes, attitude and lifestyle. So be sure to talk to them about screen limits and why they are a good thing!
Do note that even though cutting back on screen time may help reduce the risk of myopia, there is no guarantee that your child will not develop nearsightedness. The condition is common and depends on more than just technology use.
Make sure you monitor your child’s eye health with a comprehensive eye exam every year and get them the right vision correction when needed.
SEE RELATED: Advantages of a 24-hour digital detox for kids
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Staying PUT: Consumers forced indoors during crisis spend more time on media. Nielsen. March 2020.
Screen time and children. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. February 2020.
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Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age. World Health Organization. 2019.
Limit screen time and get your kids (and the whole family) moving. American Heart Association. May 2018.
Page published on Thursday, February 10, 2022
