How to protect your children’s eyes from the effects of iPads/iPhones

Medically reviewed by Alastair Lockwood on 08 March 2021

Spending too much time on smartphones and tablets can have a negative effect on children. The advancement of home technology and entertainment over the last decade means that we are spending more time using digital screens than ever before. This is especially true for kids, many of whom now own some sort of electronic device such as a tablet or smart phone device, packed with an endless stream of TV shows, films, games and books.

And at the same time, there’s an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that this could be having a negative effect on our eyes and cause vision problems. For our children, whose eyes are still developing, there’s an increased concern of short-sightedness (myopia) and blurry vision. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 5 practice’s parents can encourage in their children and build into habit.

5 ways to protect your children’s eyes from the effects of iPads/iPhones

1. Blink often

Unconsciously, one does not blink as much as one usually would when staring at a screen, so the eyes aren’t receiving the natural moisture they need to stay hydrated and causes eye strain.

The most common eye-related issue that occurs from extensive digital screen use is dry eye. This short-term problem can be painful and highly uncomfortable, presenting an increased risk of infection and irritation.

The way around this is for children to practice regular blinking during screen use. Looking away from digital devices every now and again and taking some short visual breaks is another way to make sure they’re blinking at a natural rate.

2. 20-20-20

The 20-20-20 rule is very easy to remember, making it a great way for your child to keep their eyes safe during screen use. The rule goes that whenever they’re looking at the screen, every 20 minutes they should take a break for 20 seconds and look at something 20 feet away.

This will give their eyes time to refresh and blink naturally, moisturising their eyes properly and reducing the risk of dry eye.

3. Screen brightness and glare

In darker lighting, a bright, glaring screen can be harsh on eyes. Show your child how to adjust the brightness levels of the screen and encourage them to set it on the lowest setting possible, while still being able to see without constantly exposing their eyes to a strong glare.

In addition, you might want to invest in an anti-glare screen for the computer monitor in your house. These are very affordable and can go a long way to reducing the intensity of the computer brightness on your child’s eyes.

4. Make time for other activities

One way to drastically reduce the effects that digital screens have on your children and their eyes is to encourage them to get involved and start spending more time with other activities. Sports and outdoor play aren’t just good for the exercise they provide, they’re also linked with improving your child’s cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination.

Try to get your child active in a sport or activity that gets them plenty of fresh air and helps with developing and maintaining their visual acuity. Limit screen-time to a set period.

5. Get plenty of sleep

As with the rest of the body, eyes need time to relax and rest, especially after an extended amount of time watching TV or other digital screens. Children in particular also need sleep for their overall development. Encourage an early night and at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

If followed properly, these steps can work in the long term to keeping your children’s eye health safe from any vision issues caused by the negative effects that digital screen time use can have. Bearing all this in mind, it’s also a smart idea to limit the time your children spends on screens to a reasonable amount.

If you want to confirm whether your kids eye health is in good condition, it’s best to go for regular eye exams. We hope our useful tips have given you insight on how to protect your children from the effects of iPads and iPhones.

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