Clinicians urge UK schools to cut screen time to protect vision
Specialists send open letter to Education and Health Secretaries warning over rising short-sightedness and long-term health risks from classroom devices.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- GPs and paediatricians urge UK government to reduce classroom screen time
- Specialists warn tablets and laptops pose long-term risks to children's eye health
- Data shows global child short-sightedness rose from 24% in 1990 to nearly 36% in 2023
- UK Department for Education states it is developing new screen-time guidance for ages 5 to 18
General practitioners, paediatricians, and other medical specialists have addressed an open letter to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, demanding a reduction in digital screen usage within classrooms. The signatories argue that tablets and laptops are being deployed across educational institutions without a comprehensive understanding of their long-term health consequences, particularly regarding vision.
The medical group stated that they are currently prescribing corrective eyewear, hearing aids, and speech therapy to children "for a problem that is unintentionally being made worse in our schools". They noted that nearly one million minors interact with digital displays during the majority of their lessons, despite accumulating scientific evidence pointing toward a steady increase in myopia rates.
The specialists highlighted an extensive evaluation encompassing 276 studies and 5.4 million participants worldwide. According to their findings, the prevalence of short-sightedness among children and adolescents escalated from roughly 24 per cent in 1990 to nearly 36 per cent by 2023, warning that the condition correlates with heightened vulnerabilities to diverse ocular health complications.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"As a country, we need to wake up to this now, and start rolling back screen use in schools before the damage compounds further."
Group of clinicians
Furthermore, the communication points out that numerous pupils now spend more hours facing displays at school than what is clinically advised for an entire 24-hour cycle. The letter also cautions that students with special educational needs are being disproportionately channelled toward screen-dependent learning methods.
The debate surrounding digital device consumption in modern classrooms highlights the ongoing tension between technological advancement and student well-being. While educational technology aims to modernize learning environments, medical professionals increasingly emphasize the physical toll of prolonged digital exposure. This initiative follows England's implementation of a comprehensive smartphone ban in schools, reflecting a broader regulatory push to reassess how digital tools impact student health and focus.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Education confirmed that the government is actively formulating updated screen-time guidelines tailored for children aged five to 18, alongside consultations addressing the safety parameters of artificial intelligence and educational technology in schools. The spokesperson reiterated that technology remains a powerful asset for learners and educators when integrated responsibly.
Source: BBC Health
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