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Kids’ close screen time leads to rise in nearsightedness, eye doctor says

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says parents should consider giving screen-free presents this holiday season. Katherine Dornian explains why – Dec 8, 2023

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society says parents should consider giving screen-free presents this holiday season.

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The society’s Dr. Stephanie Anne Dotchin says kids’ screen time has been on the rise over the past few years, which translates to an increase in vision problems — particularly nearsightedness — especially when it comes to heavy use of close screens like tablets or smartphones.

The amount of daily screen time, she said, increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many kids moved to virtual schooling, but it has remained high even as things returned to normal.

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“(Kids spend) 4.4 hours a day in front of a screen on average, which is 1.2 more hours than before the pandemic,” Dotchin told 680 CJOB’s The Start.

“We’d like to see that number go down to at least pre-pandemic levels, if not less.”

That number, Dotchin said, would ideally be chopped in half.

“Two hours a day, maximum, would be great to see for our kids — and limit particularly that near-screen time work, closer than 30 centimetres, like the tablet and the iPhone.”

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In addition to the physical impacts too much close screen time can have on kids’ vision, there are other impacts of spending too much time on a device as well.

“In addition, it can make you feel lethargic and less social in general,” she said.

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