If you’ve seen the new Toy Story 5 movie and then thought, “Yep that’s basically our kid’s life right now,” you’re not alone. I’ve watched it with my two daughters and admittedly I do not give them much screen time apart a bit of cartoon on the TV and a bit of Mario Kart at the weekend.
The topic on screen time is always a debatable topic amongst parents and like Toy Story 5 , screens are how some children stay in touch with friends, kept entertained and let’s be honest, how parents can get uninterrupted time to crack on with some chores.
But from an eye-health perspective, long stretches of close-up screen time can add up as more “near work” and that matters because higher levels of close distance work and less time outdoors are linked with a higher risk of myopia (short-sightedness) developing and progressing.
This guide is about balance, not guilt: what parents can do during the summer holidays to protect children’s eyes while still living in the real world.
What is myopia (and why are we talking about it now?)
Myopia means distance vision is blurry while near vision is clearer. It often starts in childhood and can progress through the school years.
Why it matters:
- More children are becoming short-sighted than in previous generations
- Higher myopia can increase the risk of certain eye problems later in life
Screen time isn’t the only issue it’s the “close-up time” pattern
It’s not just phones. It’s the overall pattern:
- Long periods of close work (screens, reading, homework)
- Few breaks
- Less outdoor time
Signs your child might be becoming short-sighted
Look out for:
- Squinting to see the TV/board
- Sitting very close to screens
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes
- Rubbing eyes or blinking more
- Saying things look blurry far away
If you notice these, book an eye test.
What parents can do this summer (simple, realistic habits)
Build in outdoor time and aim for daily outdoor time. If you can’t do big outings, think small but often:
- Walk to the shop
- Park time before dinner
- Bike/scooter laps
- Outdoor play dates
Use the 20-20-20 rule (kid-friendly version)
- Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Make it fun by:
- Spot 3 things in the distance
- Cloud check
- Find something green
Create a “screen rhythm , not a ban
Try:
- Screen blocks (e.g., 45–60 minutes) + a movement break
- Screens after outdoor time (earn it without drama)
Set some device-free time such as meals, first hour of the morning, or last hour before bed and stick to it.
Improve the viewing setup
- Encourage screens at arm’s length where possible
- Use larger screens for longer viewing (TV > phone)
- Good lighting (avoid using screens in the dark)
Don’t rely on “blue light glasses as the solution
Blue light lenses may help comfort for some people, but they don’t replace:
- breaks
- outdoor time
- good habits
When to book an eye test (UK)
If you notice these signs:
- If there’s a family history of myopia
- If your child hasn’t had an eye test recently
The bottom line
Summer is meant to be enjoyable. You don’t need to eliminate screens to support eye health but instead, what you need is a plan that adds outdoor time, breaks up near work, and keeps an eye on early signs of myopia.
Devices haven’t been designed to purposely destroy our vision or ruin our eye health. It’s all about balance, just like everything in life. I am a firm believer of everything in moderation, and as a parent myself, this also applies to screen time. If my children watch TV for an hour, I ensure they do a non-screen activity for the next two hours, and so on. As Toy Story 5 taught us, nothing beats a good imagination play.
Image from UnsSlash by Helena Lopes