Kids on tablets for hours: how do I look after their eyes?

If your child spends hours on a tablet, look after their eyes in six ways: keep daily screen time within the limit for their age, use a stand rather than holding the tablet close, build in breaks to look far away, make sure they get active, outdoor play every day, turn screens off at least 30 minutes before bed, and watch for signs that they are not seeing well, because children rarely say so themselves.

Why do long hours on a tablet affect children's eyes?

Tablets have become part of daily life for many Thai families: cartoons on YouTube while dinner is cooked, games on the way to school, homework and online lessons. The screen itself is not the main issue. What matters is how long the eyes stay fixed close up, and what that time replaces.

Eyes stay focused up close for a long time

A tablet is usually held much closer than a television, and children often keep going until a game or video ends. The US National Eye Institute (NEI) notes that looking at a computer for a long time can tire out your eyes.

Less time moving and playing outside

Every hour on a tablet is often an hour not spent playing outside. The NHS in the UK says children under 5 should not be inactive for long periods, except when they are asleep, and that watching TV for long periods is not good for a child's health.

Screens close to bedtime

The US CDC lists turning off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime as one of the habits for good sleep, and recommends 9 to 12 hours of sleep a day for school-age children.

How many hours a day of tablet time suits my child's age?

There is no single number that suits every child, but paediatric guidance points one way: the younger the child, the less screen time.

The Ramathibodi Hospital paper notes that this guidance comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand, and that parents should look after both the number of hours and the content, so that both suit the child's age.

Count all screens, not just the tablet

Television, a parent's phone and online lessons all add up. It helps to agree on a total for the day rather than a limit for one device.

For a child who finds it hard to focus for long, see My child can't focus for long. What can I do at home?

How should my child use a tablet so their eyes get a rest?

Set up the tablet

A simple step is to use a stand on a table instead of holding the tablet close to the face in bed or on the sofa.

Use the 20-20-20 habit

The NEI suggests resting your eyes by taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. At home, the end of each video or each game level is a good moment to look out of the window.

Adjust the screen and the room

• Match screen brightness to the room so the tablet is not much brighter than its surroundings.
• Avoid using the tablet in bright sun or in very bright spots where the screen shows glare.
• Sit up straight, with the tablet on a table rather than slouching over it.

Turn screens off before bed

The CDC suggests turning off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime and keeping the bedroom quiet, relaxing and cool. A simple rule many families use is that tablets are charged outside the bedroom.

For adults who work at a screen all day, the same habits apply, and they are covered in more detail in Tired, dry eyes from screens all day. What should I do?

How much active and outdoor play does my child need?

The NHS recommends that toddlers (1 to 2 years) are physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (3 hours), including playing outdoors, and that pre-schoolers (3 to 4 years) also get at least 180 minutes a day, including at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity. The CDC recommends that children aged 6 to 17 get 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day.

Time spent playing outside is also time away from close-up screen focus, with more to look at in the distance.

Making outdoor time work in Thailand

• Use cooler parts of the day: early morning before school, or late afternoon after school.
• Shade counts. Playing under trees, in a covered playground or on a shaded balcony is still daylight.
• Swap some tablet time for walking to the market, playing in the soi with friends, cycling in the park or helping water plants.
• Wear a hat and use sunscreen in strong midday sun.

When should I take my child for an eye check?

Children often do not realise that they cannot see well, so they may not complain. The NHS notes that without routine tests a problem may not be spotted, and that this can affect a child's development and education.

Signs to watch for

The NHS lists signs to look out for. Book an eye check with an eye doctor or optometrist if your child:

• has eyes that do not seem to point in the same direction
• complains of headaches or eye strain
• has problems reading, for example needing to hold books close to their face
• has problems with hand-eye coordination, such as ball games
• is unusually clumsy
• regularly rubs their eyes
• sits too close to the TV

Regular checks even without signs

The NHS says children can have an eye test at any age, even before they can read or talk, and that this is especially important if there is a family history of eye problems in childhood. The earlier a problem is picked up, the better. If you are not sure when your child's eyes were last checked, ask your child's doctor or an optometrist.

Go straight away

See a doctor promptly if your child's eye is red and painful, if they suddenly cannot see well, or if they have injured their eye.