Impact of computer use on children

Millions of children use computers both at school and at home on a daily basis.

Children can experience the same difficulties adults experience when using a computer such as eye discomfort, fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.

Children are more susceptible because:

• Children have limited self-awareness they will keep doing an enjoyable task until near exhaustion which can lead to problems with accommodation (focussing ability).
• Children are very adaptable which means they ignore problems that adults would address
• Children are not the same size as adults which means they are not looking directly at the screen in fact they may be looking up at the screen by as much as 15 degrees which causes problems for the eyes working together.

What can you do to help protect your child when they are using a computer:

• Have your child’s vision checked
• Build in breaks every 30mins
• Check the height and position of the computer
• Check for glare and reflections on the computer screen – position the monitor to minimise glare

Adjust the lighting so it is appropriate for prolonged use.