Nearsightedness on the rise: The link between students’ screen time and eye health
While social media and technology offer countless benefits to students, like the ability to connect with friends and loved ones, explore their passions, and express themselves creatively, this also means they are spending more time indoors and on their devices than ever before. Because of the increase in screen time and decrease in time spent outside in the sunlight, researchers are seeing an increase in students with nearsightedness. Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a condition where distant objects appear blurred, and it is rapidly becoming a global concern.
This increase in myopia is concerning, but there is good news! By understanding the connection between screen time and nearsightedness, educators can empower students with strategies to help students strike a balance with their screens and get outside more.
Nearsightedness is Now Impacting Students
A condition that originally impacted mainly adults is seeping into childhood. Nearsightedness (or myopia), which causes difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly, is closely tied to a lack of exposure to natural sunlight. Research indicates that students are spending more time indoors than ever before, opting for screens over outdoor play.
When students spend a lot of time looking at things up close, like screens or books, a part of their eyes called the retina doesn’t get the right focus on the edges. This makes the picture blurry, and it makes their eyes grow longer, which can cause nearsightedness or myopia.
Another thing that might be causing nearsightedness is spending too much time indoors. Studies have shown that kids who spend more time outside are less likely to become nearsighted than those who opt to stay indoors more. As a result, their eyes are missing out on the crucial sunlight that plays a pivotal role in eye health. This trend is contributing to a significant rise in myopia cases among students, with projections suggesting that half the global population could be nearsighted by 2050.
Helping Students Strike a Balance with Technology
Believe us, we know how easy it is to get locked into our devices. However, it’s important for everyone, especially students, to occasionally step away from the screens. Not only does it give students the opportunity to build meaningful connections with the people around them, but it allows them to spend more time participating in activities they enjoy. To help your students strike a balance, here are some helpful tips:
- Promote outdoor time: Incorporate regular outdoor breaks into the school day to encourage students to step away from screens and soak up some sunlight. Emphasize the importance of engaging in outdoor activities, like reading a book under a tree, playing sports, or even taking a leisurely walk. These simple activities can contribute significantly to their overall eye health.
- Use tech to control tech: Introduce technology as a tool to aid in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Encourage students to use features like Apple’s ambient light sensor to track daylight exposure and remind them to get enough natural light. Teach them to set limits on their favorite apps and encourage them to follow suggestions provided by tech companies to reduce eye strain.
- Lead by example: Students can’t be what they can’t see, and educators are powerful role models. By prioritizing your own outdoor time and striking a balance between technology and real-world interactions, you can inspire students to do the same. Organize outdoor activities and excursions that provide students with opportunities to disconnect from screens and connect with nature.
- Educate About Myopia: Equip students with knowledge about the importance of sunlight for eye health. This awareness will empower them to make informed choices regarding their screen usage and outdoor activities.
TSI’s Take
The nearsightedness epidemic highlights the need for a balanced approach to screen time and outdoor activities. As educators, we can guide our students toward healthier habits and better eye health. By empowering students to strike a balance, we help students understand the importance of outdoor time, teach them to use tech to control tech and encourage them to prioritize their overall well-being. Through these efforts, we not only safeguard their eye health but also equip them with life skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom walls.
As students head back to school, empowering them to balance their time on screens with their school work, at-home responsibilities, and in-person experiences is more important than ever. Start your school year off strong with our teacher’s guide on empowering students to strike a balance in and out of the classroom. For more ways to guide your students to make high-character decisions, request a demo of our #WinAtSocial lessons that help foster positive decision-making online and in your classroom.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.