Children and Screen Time

We are among a generation where children are exposed to screens more than ever before, and it begs the question, how much screen time is appropriate and are there any harmful effects?

Screens refer to digital displays such as smart phones, tablets, and computers. The World Health Organization guidelines in 2019 suggests that children under 3 years old have no screen time, and children ages 3 and 4 have no more than 1 hour of screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics similarly recommends the avoidance of screen time for those under 18 months, except for video chatting. They recommend limiting screen time to 1 hour of high-quality programming for children ages 2-5. Quality screen time includes more interactive options that engage your child rather than just requiring them to stare at the screen. For children ages 6+, although there are no specific guidelines as to the number of hours of screen use, it is helpful to consider certain limits to ensure that screen time does not take precedent over physical activity and adequate sleep.

Young children require face-to-face interaction to meet developmental milestones and build social and language skills. Although the full implications of screen time are not know, it should be used cautiously in young children whose brains are still developing. As your child grows, decisions within families have to be made as to how much time should be allotted for screen use, and there can be great variability among families. As you make these decisions, please note some of the effects that screen time can have on your child’s vision.

The LED screens emit a broad spectrum of visible light which includes a high-energy short wavelength ‘blue light’. Some research suggests that blue light may be harmful to the retina in your eye over an extended period of time. Furthermore, blue light has an important role in regulating our sleep and wake cycle, and excessive exposure at the wrong time of day may disrupt this cycle, leading to poor quality of sleep. This is why it is important that your child has no screen time at least one hour before bed.

Computer vision syndrome can occur with excessive screen use leading to visual stress on the eyes. This can cause symptoms such as eye strain, blur, double vision, dry eyes, and headaches. It is important to take frequent breaks from the screen – one guideline is the 20/20/20 rule – every 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds to look 20 feet away.

Although screens are inevitable in our society, it is important to set appropriate limits based on each individual child’s needs. Effort should be encouraged to engage your child in more physical social interactions and more outdoor play and activities.