This pandemic has taught us the value of offline education and also made us accept the fact that this is the new normal. A huge concern for parents is the child’s health. The basic questions that arise are; will the child’s eyes get affected? Is it going to cause headaches or strain in the eyes? How best can I protect my child? Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is also a cause of concern for parents.
- Screen Size:
It is always recommended to have a bigger screen, like a Laptop or a connection to a smart TV rather than a smartphone.
- Posture:
Placing the Laptop on a table is better than placing it on the lap. The screen should be ideally 10-15 degrees below the eye level to avoid neck strain. Adjusting the screen according to the height of the child is a good choice. The distance from the person to the screen should be at least 1.5 to 2m. It is best to have the back straight. Using a desktop or a laptop placed on a flat surface is a good option.
- 20/20/20 rule:
Generally, a class should be for about 20 to 30 minutes. After every session, it is best to have a break for 20 minutes, look at something placed at 20 feet away for 20 seconds. During that break time, it is important to keep away from the screen.
- Blinking:
Looking at the screen for a prolonged time causes a person to blink less frequently. Blinking often keeps eyes moist and reduces dryness and irritation. It is important to lubricate the eyes by consciously blinking them often. It refreshes one’s eyes and attention.
- Text Neck:
Constant bending and slouching may cause bending in the neck. Commonly referred to as ‘text neck’ or ‘tech neck’, can happen due to a poor posture. Ensure that the height of the system is proper to stand is used to place the phone and a proper posture is maintained.
- Maintaining Distance:
Children may get closer to the screen as their attention increases in a video or a game. It is important for a parent to have a constant watch over the children to ensure a safe watching distance.
- Physical activity:
Change your physical position, walk a little, smile a little, stretch a little. Little stretches when sitting on the chair can ensure that your muscles do not freeze. Turn and twist while taking a break and also ensure that you do not strain your muscles a lot.
- Screen settings:
Adjust the brightness of the screen before the class. An anti-reflective glass coating will help in viewing better, by cutting off the blue light from the device. Use appropriate lighting in the room that does not cause a strain on your eyes. Not all reading light brightness is apt while using your device too. The use of an anti-glare screen or glasses that keep eyes safe from the harmful light is recommended.
Over 50 percent of people working in front of a computer experience digital eye strain. Symptoms like dry eye, eye fatigue, red eyes, and headache. This is generally thought to be due to exposure to high energy light exposure called “blue light”. Blue light is one of the shortest, high energy wavelengths that can be perceived by humans. Glasses that protect the eyes are recommended.
- Healthy Diet:
It is important to have a healthy diet enriched with vitamins and proteins. Green leafy vegetables, fish, fruits like mangoes, papaya, carrots, broccoli and diet enriched with dry fruits help in maintaining the health of eyes
- Active Learning:
Staying at home is important in such tough times. That does not mean that learning should not stop. Being aware of smaller things at home and encouraging passive experiential learning should not stop.
It is important for the parent to enable children to take advantage of the worldwide web and grow. Taking personal care will help the child make full use of this technology and be on par with the competitive world.
Gousia A S
Life Skills Trainer
