Research has found that spending more time in front of screens increases the risk of becoming shortsighted, also known as myopia. A study analyzing 45 studies involving over 335,000 participants found that for every additional hour spent on digital devices such as mobile phones and game consoles, the risk of developing myopia rose by 21%. Children who already had myopia were more likely to become even shorter-sighted with increased screen time.
The researchers used data from children aged 12-13 in the UK, where the prevalence of myopia is around 15%, to estimate that a child’s risk of being shortsighted would rise to 18% if they spent an hour on screens daily and 27% after four hours.
However, further research is needed to support these findings and confirm whether screen time directly causes myopia. The study found that there may be a “safety threshold” beyond which the risk increases more slowly. Experts agree that spending too much time indoors, combined with excessive screen use, can lead to increased risks of myopia.
This new evidence highlights the importance of limiting young children’s device use and encouraging outdoor activities. As myopia becomes increasingly prevalent, it is essential to develop educational strategies and public health policies to address this growing problem.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/21/every-hour-children-spend-on-screens-raises-chance-of-myopia-study-finds