BBC News School Report @ LCS

We were all once told that staring at a screen for too long would make our eyes square, but recently, a new trend has swept the internet: virtual-reality headsets.

A lot of children before their teenage years wish to get these as a gift to put phones or tablets inside, and watch videos or play games and feel as though they are immersed in the game. Whereas, a great number of parents worry that it may ruin their children’s eyes if they stay on a screen for too long, at a close distance.Regardless of opinion, these virtual-reality headsets are not recommended for young children. Most headsets are aimed at children of 13 and above, but many children of younger ages are using them despite guidelines. Sitting too close to any screen could have a consequence of getting Myopia, or short-sightedness. This means distant objects could become blurred. However, it does not cause Myopia in everyone. This does not mean it is completely without negative effects on the eyes as it could cause eye strain or eye fatigue, which can cause headaches.

There are fears over the psychological effects of the games as it is feared that young children could feel bewildered if they cannot distinguish real life from a game. Many young children feel scared at the cinema, and this could be worsened in virtual-reality as the line between fantasy and reality could become further blurred.However, many experts say that children can use them in moderation, as long as parents know that their children are using it and are of the recommended age to do so. Only time will tell if these devices are harmful.