Is Your Computer Hurting Your Child?

by Emily Price | More from this Blogger

05 Oct 2006 12:50 AM

Is your child hurting their eyes using the computer?

The majority of American homes today offer children some sort of computer access. Children who do not have access to a computer in their home usually have access through their school or library and many spend at least one hour, if not considerably more in front of a computer screen everyday. So is using the computer that much good for your child?

A recent study showed that too much computer use by children can have a negative impact on your child's vision. Heavy computer use by children at a young age has been tied to myopia, or nearsightedness.

Staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time can be detrimental to the eyes of both children and adults. Viewing items on a computer screen up close for prolonged periods of time can cause depth perception problems in children and cause their eyes to have trouble focusing on other things once they step away from the computer.

Starting your child on using the computer early on is a good idea, but it is important to make sure they are using the computer in moderation, not all the time.

Some tips for saving yours and your childs eyes include:

• If possible try to get a computer that can be set up for your child. A computer monitor should be eighteen to twenty eight inches from your child's eyes.
• Dim the lights. Using a computer in a brightly lit room, or a room with a lot of sunlight requires your eyes to work hard to focus on the monitor. Dimming the lights or closing the blinds can make the monitor easier on your eyes.
• Dim your screen. You shouldn't be able to use your computer monitor as a flashlight. You should dim your computer screen to a level that is comfortable to look at and isn't the equivalent of looking into a lightbulb.

Learn more about Emily Price

Emily is a freelance writer and video editor in Raleigh NC.

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