Kids Spend More Time on Digital Devices Than Parents Think

Kids are spending more time on digital devices than their parents think they are, shows a new study conducted by the St. Louis-based American Optometric Association. The study estimates, 83 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 use electronic devices for three or more hours each day.

However, a different survey of parents reveals a dramatic difference from how much time parents think their children spend on digital devices.

The report clarifies that only 40 percent of parents believe their kids use an electronic device for that same amount of time.

“When parents think about their children’ mobile consumption habits, they often don’t think about how much time they spend on devices in the classroom,” said Dr. Lori Roberts, head of the Association’s New Technology Committee.

Meanwhile, doctors found 80 percent of kids surveyed experienced burning, itchy or tired eyes after using electronic devices for long periods of time — conditions closely associated with the temporary vision disorder of digital eye strain.

Doctors noticed an increase in kids complaining of symptoms related to eye strain when school starts.

“Essentially, they’re going from being home over the summer with a minimal amount of time spent with their digital devices back to a classroom full of technology, and their time on devices often doubles, leading to a strain on the eyes,” Dr. Lori Roberts said

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Source-Medindia