Based on the literature review, the
Canadian Association of Optometrists
and Canadian Ophthalmological
Society say the safe use of electronic
screens should encompass
the following:
Screen time limits – no screen time
(with the possible exception of live
video chatting with parental support)
for children aged two and under, no
more than one hour of screen time
per day for kids aged two to five and
ideally no more than two hours per
day of recreational screen time for
children aged five to 18;
Breaks, which include whole-body
physical activity, no later than after
60 minutes of use (after 30 minutes is
encouraged);
Workstation ergonomics – set chair
heights so the child's feet can lay flat
on the floor or on a stool underneath
the feet to allow for support, chairs
should not have arm rests unless they
fit the child perfectly, desks should
be set at the child’s elbow height or
slightly lower, there should be enough
depth on the desk to allow for forearm
support, displays should be set in
front of the child, the top of computer
monitors should be at the child’s eye
level and then allow them to move the
screen down into a comfortable viewing
position as needed and workstation
lighting should be equal throughout
the visual field;
Screens should not be used within an
hour of bedtime or in the bedroom;
Outdoor activity over screen time
should be encouraged; and
Regular eye exams, which assess a
child’s visual ability to cope with their
visual demands and offer treatments
for deficiencies.
32 OPTICAL PRISM | July 2018