Reading is one of those great summer pastimes that now has been interrupted by screens. Kids read on e-readers of all types, including their phones, and internet-enabled tablets where they can access their apps and other distractions.
People often ask whether reading on an e-reader counts as screen time. It depends. There are so many great things about e-readers like they give kids access to endless books, other book recommendations, and they can look up words they don’t know. However, I strongly recommend you pick an e-reader that is truly able to do just that one task. So if they have a Kindle ideally, it is the type that does not allow full internet access.
Digital viewing creates more visual strain than reading from print on paper because increased contrast (a positive) that is present in hard copy material vs. what the visual system has to do to view pixelation which is what you find on a computer screen.
E-readers, like Kindle Paperwhite and Nook, are far better than iPads or smartphones because they more closely mimic the contrast you find on paper and there is less visual fatigue.
Also, according to Valerie Kattouf O.D., Chief, Pediatric and Binocular Vision Center, Illinois Eye Institute, youth tend to hold their digital devices closer to their eyes than a book and it is that viewing distance that is a real problem.
Dr. Kattouf goes on to say “The diagnosis of eye focusing (accommodative) and eye teaming (binocular vision) dysfunctions have existed long before the onset of digital devices, but the sheer volume of diagnosed cases has risen dramatically and is presenting in younger children. These issues can also have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn, concentrate, and comprehend. As symptoms of headaches, eyestrain, and blur present a child may not complain about these symptoms but may simply choose to avoid the near school work that elicits these symptoms or may simply show a dislike for academic material.“
Ophthalmologists and optometrists have been in touch with me since the film’s release to say how they feel they are seeing an increase in nearsightedness, but there is yet still not any rigorous research to confirm this.
Again, it is all about balance, so please encourage your kids to read whatever way works for them but maybe just show them a study or 2 about how distance to the medium they read is important in terms of potential eye strain. And remember it is not just screen reading, it is also about the general balance of time off screens.
Not that long ago when my family was thinking of watching a movie together, I suggested we all curl up and read instead. I was so elated when everyone agreed. We all got books and had such a good time laying around and reading. It only lasted about 20 minutes. but I can’t wait to make that happen again.
On another personal note, I am bummed that I can not stand reading books on my Kindle. It would be so convenient if I could. I read paper books because I need to be able to take notes by hand and I need to be able to flip to the appendix to see studies that are cited (for many years I only read non-fiction — not proud of that, but it is true.) I will post some of my recent favorite books soon.
A great place to look for books is on Sue Borison’s website Your Teen Magainze For Parents. Borison is a great thinker and has a lot of helpful insights and blog posts about raising teens.
Here are a few questions to get the conversation started this week:
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
You might also be interested in these past Tech Talk Tuesdays:
People Share their Summer Screen Time Rules
11 Family Podcast for Car Trips
Fortnite and the Downside of Loot Boxes
July 16, 2019
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Reading is one of those great summer pastimes that now has been interrupted by screens. Kids read on e-readers of all types, including their phones, and internet-enabled tablets where they can access their apps and other distractions.
People often ask whether reading on an e-reader counts as screen time. It depends. There are so many great things about e-readers like they give kids access to endless books, other book recommendations, and they can look up words they don’t know. However, I strongly recommend you pick an e-reader that is truly able to do just that one task. So if they have a Kindle ideally, it is the type that does not allow full internet access.
Digital viewing creates more visual strain than reading from print on paper because increased contrast (a positive) that is present in hard copy material vs. what the visual system has to do to view pixelation which is what you find on a computer screen.
E-readers, like Kindle Paperwhite and Nook, are far better than iPads or smartphones because they more closely mimic the contrast you find on paper and there is less visual fatigue.
Also, according to Valerie Kattouf O.D., Chief, Pediatric and Binocular Vision Center, Illinois Eye Institute, youth tend to hold their digital devices closer to their eyes than a book and it is that viewing distance that is a real problem.
Dr. Kattouf goes on to say “The diagnosis of eye focusing (accommodative) and eye teaming (binocular vision) dysfunctions have existed long before the onset of digital devices, but the sheer volume of diagnosed cases has risen dramatically and is presenting in younger children. These issues can also have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn, concentrate, and comprehend. As symptoms of headaches, eyestrain, and blur present a child may not complain about these symptoms but may simply choose to avoid the near school work that elicits these symptoms or may simply show a dislike for academic material.“
Ophthalmologists and optometrists have been in touch with me since the film’s release to say how they feel they are seeing an increase in nearsightedness, but there is yet still not any rigorous research to confirm this.
Again, it is all about balance, so please encourage your kids to read whatever way works for them but maybe just show them a study or 2 about how distance to the medium they read is important in terms of potential eye strain. And remember it is not just screen reading, it is also about the general balance of time off screens.
Not that long ago when my family was thinking of watching a movie together, I suggested we all curl up and read instead. I was so elated when everyone agreed. We all got books and had such a good time laying around and reading. It only lasted about 20 minutes. but I can’t wait to make that happen again.
On another personal note, I am bummed that I can not stand reading books on my Kindle. It would be so convenient if I could. I read paper books because I need to be able to take notes by hand and I need to be able to flip to the appendix to see studies that are cited (for many years I only read non-fiction — not proud of that, but it is true.) I will post some of my recent favorite books soon.
A great place to look for books is on Sue Borison’s website Your Teen Magainze For Parents. Borison is a great thinker and has a lot of helpful insights and blog posts about raising teens.
Here are a few questions to get the conversation started this week:
We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.
HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS
Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.
Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.
You might also be interested in these past Tech Talk Tuesdays:
People Share their Summer Screen Time Rules
11 Family Podcast for Car Trips
Fortnite and the Downside of Loot Boxes
July 16, 2019
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
I'm thrilled to share with you a special compilation of our most popular content from this year. Today, I want to take you on a curated journey through our top selections from the Tech Talk Tuesday blogs, YouTube Bites, and The Screenagers Podcast.
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Today I’ve compiled recommended summer reading for youth, by youth. I had fun reaching out to several thoughtful teens to see what books they would recommend to their peers. They provided many interesting reads: some classics and others that are lesser-known.
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It is important to examine our expectations, hopes, and dreams for our kids’ summer reading and today I share ideas to help create fewer disappointments and a broader view of what reading “success” looks like.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
