3 Ways Too Much Screen Time Impacts Your Child’s Health

Are you concerned about the impact of too much screen time on your child’s eye health, physical development, and social skills? Here are 3 ways overuse of digital devices can negatively impact your kid’s overall well-being.


Screen time is on the rise. As a result of all those hours spent scrolling on a phone, staring at a laptop, or watching television, your family’s health and well-being can take a serious hit. In fact, the mental and physical effects of too much screen time can lead to: 

  • Anxiety
  • Poor posture
  • Vision problems 
  • Sleep issues
  • Weight gain 

If the majority of your and your children’s waking hours entails looking at a screen, be it a smartphone or computer monitor, then you could be at higher risk of developing certain health and vision conditions. 


Our Calgary Eye Doctors are Open During COVID-19

Our Calgary eye doctors are open and ready to take care of all your vision needs. We will maintain our COVID-19 safety measures, including high levels of disinfection in all areas, increased spacing between patients and staff in the clinic, and continuous sanitization of all handled frames and products in the clinic. 

If you have a question about your child’s eye health, or you or a family member is experiencing an eye emergency, we provide you with comprehensive care by appointment only. 

Want to know more? 

OUR CALGARY EYE DOCTORS ARE BACK AND READY TO SERVE YOU! 


3 Ways Too Much Screen Time Impacts Children’s Eye and Overall Health

Technology plays an important role in our lives today, but too much screen time can negatively impact your children’s eye and overall health. Here are 3 ways screen time impacts well-being and how to set realistic boundaries with technology: 

  1. Too Much Screen Time Can Hurt Your Eyes, Neck, Back, Wrists, and More

Too much screen time can physically hurt your body, be it your back, neck, wrists, forearms or eyes, and it can lead to: 

  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred or strained vision
  • Constant headaches 
  • Substantial back and neck pain 
  • Cramping or soreness throughout your wrists, fingers, or forearms 

What you need to do: Take breaks from sitting in front of your device to stand, walk around, and stretch. In addition, make sure your chair provides ample back support, and try to keep your screen straight ahead and closer to eye level. 

5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM DIGITAL EYE STRAIN

 

  1. Increased Screen Time Can Lead to Anxiety or Depression 

In terms of the relationship between screen use and mental health outcomes, there have been several studies which suggest that higher levels of screen use in children and adolescents is associated with: 

  • Increased risk of depression 
  • Higher levels of anxiety
  • Lower mental well-being 
  • Increased tiredness 

What you need to do: It is critical for parents to model good behaviour and etiquette for devices, to limit their use, and to prioritise their relationship with their children. In order to maintain your family’s mental health and well-being, it’s very important to monitor their use of screens. 

  1. Too Much Screen Time Prevents You From Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
     

Digital devices such as your smartphone or tablet emit blue light, which interferes with your internal clock and decreases the amount of melatonin the body produces, making it harder to benefit from sleep-related hormones in the evening. 

What you need to do: To sleep more soundly, keep screens out of the bedroom and avoid them for at least one hour before bedtime. If you do have to use an electronic device, turn down the brightness on your screen and give blue light blocking lenses a try. 

3 REASONS TO INVEST IN BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING LENSES 


Our Calgary Eye Doctors Are Now Available By Appointment Only

We are happy to announce that our Calgary eye doctors are now available during COVID_19,  by appointment only. We are continuing to take all necessary precautions to keep our patients, staff, and community safe. 

We want to thank you for your support and understanding during these trying times and are offering special eye deals including: 

  • 50% off your eye exam with the purchase of a complete pair of eyeglasses 
  • 40% off a complete purchase of eyeglasses for all frontline healthcare workers


To find out more about our great deals, or to book an appointment, contact our team at our Crowfoot Branch (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292).

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Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 4 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition. 

Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.

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