Nowadays, children are grown with the digital devices. That is no debate that children must stop using digital devices. But the question is, how to use the digital devices wisely or appropriately. Digital devices involves smart phone, tablet, television, laptop and computer that kids are surrounded with today.
According to a 2015 national survey by Common Sense Media, 53% children (aged 8-12 years) have their own tablet, and 24% have their own smart phone. Among teenagers, 67% have their own smart phone.
Below, we list down a few of pros and cons for using digital devices by the children and a few suggestions for parents to counter measure it.
Pros of using digital devices
1. Enhance kids’ social learning
2. Fulfill the curiosity of children
3. Allow parents to safe track the children
4. Preoccupied the children
Cons of using digital devices
1. Health risk associated with prolonged usage
2. Inappropriate content
3. Cyber-bullying
4. Lack of “real” social ability
Tips for parents to control kids’ digital devices usage
1. Put the charger at common area (not at their room)
2. Limit the content and time accessible to devices (through software lock-down)
3. Turn off the internet router after certain of time
4. Schedule activity to do together
5. Parents set a good example starting from themselves
What can we do to help those kids in digital era? Prolonged using digital devices can lead to eye fatigue and worst, can cause eye muscles spasm which can lead to reduced vision, poor attention, and headache.
As an eyecare practitioner, we always suggest 20-20-20 rule, which is to take at least 20 seconds break for every 20 minutes by seeing objects more than 20 feet apart. Ensure the proper working distance when using devices with good lighting and correct posture.
Parents can give the kids a pair of “anti-fatigue” lens to relax the children eyes when using digital devices. Anti-fatigue lens (aka digital lens) is a customized lens (varifocal lens) which is designed for digital lifestyle in contrast to old style single vision lens (single power only). The beauty of the anti-fatigue lens is that the bottom of the lens is designed to partially relieve the focusing effort when using gadgets for a long time.
On top of that, we may also include blue light filtering coating to further reduce the harmful blue lights from LED screens. Numerous studies are shown that these high energy blue light may degenerate the sensor of the eyes and also disturb sleeping quality.
Lastly, technology is part of our lifestyle for all ages from the young to the mature. Let’s embrace the SMART devices SMARTLY.