How Extended Exposure To Blue Light Damages Your Child’s Eyes & Effective Interventions Methods

While technology plays an important role today, it comes with a major drawback. Blue light overexposure. It is possible that online learning might shift into the new normal for kids now, and while the obvious benefits outweigh the disadvantages, blue light overexposure remains a major concern. 

As a result of the increased usage of digital screens, children suffer the consequences of artificial blue light, leaving them vulnerable to:

• Headaches
• Digital eye strain
• Mood and behavioral issues
• Sleep problems

Electronics can be great tools for both leisure and education, but unsupervised screen time can increase the risk even more.

Let’s explore the signs of blue light overexposure and effective solutions to minimize the long-term effects.

Why is blue light harmful to children?

A recent study suggests that extended exposure to artificial blue light emitted from digital screens can damage the retina. And if that’s not worrisome enough, exposure to blue light at night can ruin your child’s chances of a good night’s rest.

Children’s eyes are in the full developmental process and therefore they can’t filter out blue light, making them more susceptible to damage.

But blue light isn’t all bad. Find out why!

Signs of digital eye strain

Staring at digital screens for long periods of time can cause blurred vision along with a burning sensation. This is known as computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain, and the first signs include:

• Dry, itchy, and irritated eyes
• Neck, shoulder, and back pain
• Difficulty focusing
• Headaches
• Fatigue

To be sure, ask your child if they have any pain or make them feel welcome to share their experience with you. Notice rubbing of eyes, tiredness, irritability, reduced attention span, and poor behavior. These are normally the first signs of digital eye strain in children.

Effective intervention methods

Now for the excellent news. It’s never too late to intervene and reduce the effects of prolonged exposure to blue light.

If you don’t suspect or your child hasn’t been diagnosed with any serious underlying conditions, the following are actionable steps you can take to minimize the effects of blue light overexposure:

1. Model healthy digital habits for your children.
2. Talk to your children about the harmful effects of extended blue light exposure.
3. Change the color of lights in your children’s study area and bedroom.
4. Keep screen use to a minimum.
5. Encourage playtime that doesn’t involve digital screens.
6. Block the excessive blue light with Kids Day Swannies. (Kids love Swannies Glasses!)
7. Remove digital devices from your child’s room to limit distractions and exposure to blue light before bedtime.
8. If your child needs to catch up on homework at night, block the blue light with these blue light glasses for kids.

Slowly introduce these measures now to tackle the dangerous effects of blue light and avoid greater health problems in the future.