In today’s world, technology is a big part of our children’s lives, and coding is a wonderful way for them to learn, create, and explore. But as they spend more time in front of screens, we want to make sure they’re taking care of their eyes and avoid digital eye strain. Digital eye strain can be uncomfortable, causing dry eyes, headaches, and even blurred vision.
Our eyes are delicate, and when kids and those who are more “seasoned students” spend extended time in front of screens, they can experience what we call digital eye strain, which may cause dry eyes, headaches, and even difficulty focusing. Now, I’m not a doctor, but I’d like to share a few friendly tips to help kids protect their eyes and continue coding comfortably.
Coding can help kids learn valuable technology and life skills, especially in an age where digital devices and revolutionary technologies like artificial intelligence are everywhere. Coding helps foster creativity, develop cognitive skills, and boost executive functions.
However, as kids spend more time in front of their phones, tablets, or computers for coding, they may start feeling the impacts of prolonged screen time. Their eyes are especially vulnerable when using devices because they’re still developing. As such, they may frequently experience digital eye strain when coding. Digital eye strain can cause issues like dry eye, eye fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches because they’re focused on a near object for too long, exposed to blue light, and blinking less frequently.
These issues can get in the way of enjoying coding and lead to other problems with concentration and sleep. If your child enjoys coding but struggles with digital eye strain, here’s how you can help them manage and prevent it:
Wear Blue Light Glasses to Limit Digital Eye Strain
High-energy blue light emitted by screens contributes to digital eye strain due to the harsh glare and reduced contrast. While your child practices their coding, they can wear blue light glasses to help mitigate the impacts of blue-violet light on their eyes, filtering out this color from the sun and artificial sources like screens, and providing enhanced visual contrast and comfort.
Many retailers offer the option to add blue light filters to prescription and non-prescription glasses; on LensCrafters, high-quality models like the Ray-Ban New Clubmaster Optics or the Oakley Holbrook can be customized to become blue light glasses.
This showcases how blue light filtering technology has become more common for eyewear retailers, and you can easily find a pair your child finds stylish and cool, so they’re more encouraged to wear them regularly, even when they aren’t coding.
Take Frequent Breaks
When kids are coding, they’re concentrating on a near object and blinking less frequently while looking at a screen. This strains the eyes and causes discomfort and fatigue. In severe cases, they may even begin to develop myopia if they constantly do near-work like coding on a computer. Breaks are crucial for mitigating digital eye strain and other vision issues and should be a regular part of a coding session.
The 20-20-20 rule can help alleviate strain; this involves looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
You can help your child set an alarm for every 20 minutes to remind them to take a short break, and you can join them to set a good example. Spending time outdoors can also help reduce blue light exposure and allow them to focus on objects of varying distances.
Encourage them to enjoy outdoor activities like sports or take a walk and cycle with them. Consider limiting the time spent coding and doing other activities on a screen to help them rest their eyes.
Invest in Devices With Eye Care Features and Settings
If your child is older and becoming more interested in coding, you can consider investing in a device with eye care features and settings. Many modern devices already have brightness settings, flicker-free technology, and even display modes that reduce blue light emissions.
However, you can take it a step further by finding devices that make eye care a core usage aspect. BenQ showcases how eye care technology is built into its monitors. The brand’s GW2486TC and GW2786TC home office monitors are equipped with Brightness Intelligence Technology (B.I. Tech), which can adapt to lighting conditions, tailor the display to viewing preferences, and reduce blue light while keeping colors vivid.
The refresh rate is boosted to 100Hz, allowing the display to react more quickly to changes on the screen for a clear and smoother experience that lessens digital eye strain. Eye care technology can make the coding experience less straining on the eyes so kids can enjoy it for longer.
As we wrap up, remember that helping our kids take care of their eyes while they code is just another way to show them how much we care. Coding can be a wonderful, magical adventure—an adventure that should be enjoyed without discomfort!
With simple steps like taking breaks, using blue light glasses, and finding eye-friendly devices, we can make their coding journey smoother and healthier. Here at GetMeCoding.com, we’re here to support every part of their learning, from nurturing their curiosity to encouraging healthy habits.
Happy Coding and Take Care of Those Eyes!!!
Mr. Fred
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