Children who use phones too much will show these signs.

The increasing use of phones and tablets by children has raised concerns among many parents about their impact on health. Prolonged screen time can lead to not only eye problems like dry eyes and nearsightedness, but also negatively affect brain development, concentration, and emotional well-being.

With electronic devices present in most households, controlling children's screen time is considered crucial for protecting their physical and mental health.

How does excessive phone use affect children's eyesight?

According to Healthy Children, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of electronic screens because their eyes are still developing.

Causes eye strain and dry eyes.

One of the most common problems is digital eye strain. When looking at phones for too long, children tend to blink less than usual, causing tears to evaporate quickly, leading to dry eyes, stinging eyes, eye pain, or headaches. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that prolonged screen time can overstrain the eyes and cause fatigue.

Increases the risk of nearsightedness.

Prolonged periods of focusing on close-range objects also increase the risk of myopia in children. Many studies show that children who spend less time outdoors and frequently use phones and tablets have a higher risk of early-onset myopia. In particular, if this habit persists, the degree of myopia can increase rapidly over time.

Causes temporary blurred vision.

Some children also experience temporary blurred vision after using phones for too long. This is because the eye's accommodation mechanism becomes stiff, making it difficult for the eye to switch from near to far vision.

Excessive phone use by children can negatively impact their health, especially their eyesight and brain development. Photo: Shutterstock.

How does it affect a child's brain?

Besides affecting eyesight, many studies show that excessive use of electronic devices can also impact children's brain development.

Impact on language and learning abilities

Children who use screens for more than two hours a day score lower on language and cognitive tests. In some cases, excessive screen time has also been shown to thin the cerebral cortex – the area associated with thinking ability, behavioral control, and information processing.

Reduced ability to concentrate

Numerous studies have noted that prolonged screen time can impair children's ability to concentrate. Children who frequently watch short videos or videos with constantly changing content are more likely to develop short-term attention spans, making it difficult for them to maintain focus while studying.

Impact on emotional development and social skills.

Numerous studies on PubMed have noted a link between prolonged screen time and increased anxiety, stress, and irritability in children. When children spend too much time on their phones, they may reduce face-to-face interaction with parents and friends, thereby impacting their social communication skills.

Impact on brain development

For young children, experts believe that brain development is best achieved through play, interaction, and hands-on exploration . If children become overly reliant on screens from an early age, their learning and skill development may be negatively impacted.

Source: https://znews.vn/tre-dung-dien-thoai-qua-nhieu-se-co-dau-hieu-nay-post1654601.html