【英语语言学习】对着荧屏的时间多久对孩子是合适的

This is the VOA Special English Technology Report.

 

Children can spend hours a day looking at computer screens and other digital devices. Some eye care professionals say all that screen time has led to an increase in what they call computer vision syndrome¹.

 

Nathan Bonilla-Warford is an optometrist² in Tampa, Florida, with VSP, Vision Service Plan, a big insurance provider. He says he has seen an increase in problems in children.

 

NATHAN BONILLA-WARFORD: “I see a lot more children who are coming into the office either because their parents have noticed that they have headaches or red or watery³ eyes or discomfort⁴, or because their prescription⁵, their near-sightedness, appears to be increasing at a fast rate and they're worried.”

 

Dr. Bonilla-Warford says part of the problem is that children may be more likely than adults to ignore early warning signs.

 

NATHAN BONILLA-WARFORD: “Even if their eyes start to feel uncomfortable or they start to get a headache, they’re less likely to tell their parents, because they don’t want to have the game or the computer or whatever taken away.”

 

He says another part of the problem is that people blink less often when they use digital devices.

 

NATHAN BONILLA-WARFORD: “The average person who uses a computer or an electronic device blinks about a third as much as we normally do in everyday life. And so that can result in the front part of the eye drying and not staying moist and protected like normal.”

 

Eye doctors offer suggestions like following what is known as the 20/20/20 rule.

 

NATHAN BONILLA-WARFORD: “Every twenty minutes, look away twenty feet or more for at least twenty seconds from whatever device you’re using.”

 

Twenty feet -- that's six meters.

 

Other suggestions include putting more distance between you and the device and using good lighting⁶. Of course, another way to avoid eye strain is to spend less time looking at screens. Many experts say children should spend no more than two hours a day using digital devices -- with no screen time for children under two.

 

But not all eye doctors have noticed an increase in problems in children. Dr. David Hunter says he has not seen an increase in his practice as a pediatric ophthalmologist at Children’s Hospital Boston. He also serves as a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

 

Dr. Hunter thinks calling it a syndrome, as in computer vision syndrome, is a little much. He says the real problem is simple.

 

DAVID HUNTER: "Spending too much time in one place, focusing on one thing, not looking away from their work, etc."

 

And while this might be tiring to the eyes, he says, it will not cause permanent damage.

 

DAVID HUNTER: “While it is possible to develop fatigue⁷ looking at various screens for a long period of time, there’s certainly no evidence that it actually causes any damage to the eyes.”

 

And that's the VOA Special English Technology Report, written by June Simms. You can learn English and much more at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Steve Ember.

1 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

2 optometrist   

n.验光师，配镜师

参考例句：

• Where can I find a good optometrist?我在哪里能找一个好的验光师呢？
• If you need glasses,you should see an optometrist.若是你要配眼镜，你要找去验光师。

3 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。

4 discomfort   

n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便

参考例句：

• One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
• She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。

5 prescription   

n.处方，开药；指示，规定

参考例句：

• The physician made a prescription against sea- sickness for him.医生给他开了个治晕船的药方。
• The drug is available on prescription only.这种药只能凭处方购买。

6 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

7 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。