Dhaka, May 21 (V7N)-An alarming 93% of children in Dhaka are experiencing blurred vision, and 78% are suffering from dry or sore eyes due to excessive screen time, reveals a recent study conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).

Dr. Shahria Hafiz Kakon, one of the study's authors, shared with the Dhaka Tribune that mobile devices were handed to children during the Covid-19 lockdown to keep them occupied. However, despite the pandemic ending four years ago, this screen dependency has not subsided.

Dr. Shahria emphasized that this overreliance on screens is impacting children’s physical and mental well-being. The study, which surveyed 420 children between the ages of six and fourteen in Dhaka, presents a concerning view of childhood in today’s digital environment.

What is considered safe screen time?
One of the more surprising findings was the minimal difference between supervised and unsupervised screen usage, which Dr. Shahria attributed to a general lack of parental awareness about screen time limits.

On average, the children involved in the study spent four hours daily on screens. According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, screen time should be carefully regulated based on a child’s age. Infants under one year should have no screen exposure, while one-year-olds should also avoid it entirely. For two-year-olds, screen time should be capped at one hour per day or less, and the same applies to children aged three to four.

How screens affect eye health
Dr. Md Bulbul Aktar, a senior consultant ophthalmologist at Al-Noor Eye Hospital, explained the physiological stress screens put on children’s eyes. “When screens are used at close range, the eye’s lens becomes more convex, and the eye muscles stay contracted, causing significant strain,” he explained.

He also ranked screen types by their impact, noting that television is the least harmful, followed by desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones — the latter being the most damaging due to their closeness to the eyes and uncontrolled use.

Dr. Bulbul also pointed out that online assignments from schools and coaching centers are contributing to increased screen exposure.

Teachers play a vital role in detection
Dr. Bulbul noted that many children are referred for eye checkups by teachers who notice warning signs. Teachers should watch for squinting, copying from peers’ notebooks, or students moving closer to the blackboard — all of which could indicate vision problems.

He advised parents to ensure regular eye examinations for their children: once at three months, then again at two years, and finally before starting school at age four.

Encouraging real-life interaction
Dr. Bulbul stressed the need for behavioral changes to reduce screen use. Though difficult, these changes are crucial for children's health.

Dr. Shahria recommended turning off screens before bedtime and urged parents to model this behavior by reducing their own screen time. “Instead of endlessly scrolling on Facebook, go outside and play with your child,” she advised. “Real-life interaction is the most meaningful form of entertainment.”

To replace screen time, she encouraged outdoor play, physical activities, and traditional games like Ludo or Carrom. Dr. Shahria also emphasized prioritizing quality interactions over the quantity of time spent. “We need to truly listen to our children and have genuine conversations,” she said.

Her team is now planning a follow-up study to explore possible strategies for reducing screen time among children in Dhaka.

 

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