Tablets, computers and interactive displays now play an important role in learning. When used thoughtfully, educational screens can improve access to information, stimulate curiosity and make certain concepts more engaging.

However, even when the content is educational, prolonged screen use can cause eye strain and take time away from activities that are essential to a child’s development. The goal is not to eliminate screens, but to balance digital learning with outdoor activities, movement, sleep and face-to-face interaction.

Educational content is still screen time

An educational app does not provide the same experience as passively watching a video. It may encourage problem-solving, creativity and active thinking. From the eyes’ perspective, however, the child is still performing a near-vision task.

Long periods spent looking at a screen, even for learning, can place demands on the visual system. It is therefore important to consider not only the quality of the content, but also the length of each session, viewing distance and frequency of breaks.

How can screens affect children’s eyes?

Children tend to blink less often when looking at a screen. This allows the tear film to evaporate more quickly and may cause dryness, stinging or burning.

Extended near work can also lead to digital eye strain. A child may experience:

• Red, dry or irritated eyes;
• Temporary blurred vision;
• Headaches;
• Heaviness or discomfort around the eyes;
• Difficulty maintaining attention;
• A tendency to move closer to the screen;
• Increased sensitivity to light.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that a screen has damaged the child’s eyes. They may, however, indicate that screen habits should be adjusted or that an uncorrected vision problem is present.

Screens, near work and myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to appear blurry and often develops during childhood. Its onset and progression are influenced by several factors, including genetics and the environment.

Research suggests that large amounts of near work, particularly at a very short distance and without regular breaks, may be associated with myopia. Spending time outdoors, on the other hand, appears to help reduce the likelihood of its development.

Screens are not the only near-vision activity to consider. Reading, drawing and homework also require close focusing. A variety of activities and regular outdoor time are therefore just as important as the number of hours spent using a device.

What limits should be established?

A child’s needs will vary depending on their age, development and school requirements.

For children younger than two, routine screen use is generally not recommended, with the exception of video calls involving a caring adult. For children aged two to five, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends limiting routine or sedentary screen use to about one hour or less per day.

For school-aged children, it is helpful to distinguish educational screen use from recreational use. Since digital schoolwork may be unavoidable, parents can focus on limiting recreational screen time, scheduling breaks and ensuring that screens do not replace sleep, physical activity, meals, outdoor play or social interaction. Canadian guidelines recommend limiting recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for children aged 5 to 11.

Healthy habits for learning on a screen

A few adjustments can improve a child’s visual comfort:

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something approximately 20 feet, or 6 metres, away for at least 20 seconds.
• Remind the child to blink regularly.
• Keep the screen approximately one arm’s length away.
• Choose a larger screen instead of a phone held close to the face.
• Position the screen slightly below eye level.
• Adjust brightness and contrast to suit the room.
• Reduce glare from windows and lamps.
• Encourage a comfortable, upright posture.
• Alternate digital activities with reading on paper, creative play and movement.
• Avoid screens for at least one hour before bedtime.

Parents and teachers can also divide digital assignments into shorter sessions instead of asking children to remain in front of a screen for an extended period without a break.

The parents’ role in digital learning

For young children, educational media is generally more beneficial when an adult participates. Asking questions, discussing what appears on the screen and connecting it to real-life experiences can make learning more active and meaningful.

Choose age-appropriate content without intrusive advertising or overly rapid visual changes. A good educational tool should encourage the child to think, create and interact rather than simply watch.

Adults’ habits also provide an important example. Phone-free meals, screen-free family time and regular outdoor activities can help children develop a more balanced relationship with technology.

Are blue-light glasses necessary?

Screens emit blue light, but current evidence does not show that this light damages the eyes during normal use. Blue-light-filtering glasses therefore cannot replace regular breaks, an appropriate viewing distance or a comfortable work environment.

In the evening, however, light and stimulation from digital devices may delay sleep. Reducing screen use before bedtime remains a helpful habit for supporting healthy sleep.

When should a child see an eye care professional?

An eye exam is recommended if a child regularly experiences headaches, blurred or double vision, eye strain or pain. Parents should also pay attention if the child consistently moves closer to the screen, squints, closes one eye, rubs their eyes frequently or avoids reading activities.

Vision problems can be difficult to recognize in children because they may not realize that their way of seeing is different. Regular eye exams help assess visual development and give children the best possible conditions for learning.

Educational screens can be valuable tools. The key to protecting children’s eyes is supervised use, regular breaks and a healthy balance of outdoor and screen-free activities.