American Academy of Pediatrics. “Give Your Child’s Eyes a Screen-Time Break: Here’s Why.” August 28, 2017. Date of Access: April 18, 2020. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/eyes/Pages/What-Too-Much-Screen-Time-Does-to-Your-Childs-Eyes.aspx

Watching screens for long periods of time can cause symptoms such as eye fatigue, blurry vision, and dry eyes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents monitor children’s screen time, that children take frequent breaks, remember to blink, check screen positioning and lighting, and that children get regular vision screenings.

Fischer, Kristen. “Screen Time Hurts More Than Kids’ Eyes.” Healthline. October 12, 2015. Date of Access: April 18, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/screen-time-hurts-more-than-kids-eyes-101215#1

Blue light from screens can cause eye strain and discomfort Kids’ slouched posture while viewing screens can cause neck strain, back pain, and headaches. Experts recommend that kids should use a pillow under the forearms to raise a tablet, so that they are not looking down.

Kamenetz, Anya. ”American Academy of Pediatrics Lifts ‘No Screens Under 2’ Rule.” NPR ED. How Learning Happens. October 21, 2016. Date of Access: April 18, 2020. https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/21/498550475/american-academy-of-pediatrics-lifts-no-screens-under-2-rule

Evidence shows that preschoolers, ages two to five, have the ability to transfer knowledge from screens to the real world, including early literacy and math, and positive social and emotional skills and behaviors. The AAP recommends no more than an hour a day of screen use for children ages two to five.

Kelly, Samantha Murphy. “Experts Say iPAD Screen Time Is Bad For Kids. Here’s Why I’m Ignoring Them.” CNN Business. April 27, 2019. Date of Access: April 18, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/27/tech/ipad-screen-time-kids/index.html

The United Nations Public Health Agency recommends only one hour a day of screen time for children ages two to four. Research out of the University of Washington highlights some of the benefits of screen time, including empathy, improving word learning, encouraging creativity, collaboration in family groups, and the ability to transfer problem-solving skills to the physical world.