Marketers blamed for children’s digital overuse

Marketers are being placed on the naughty step after a new survey reveals that almost a third (32%) of parents blame them for their children’s digital overindulgence.  

Advertisers and marketers are being blamed for children’s overuse of digital devices such as tablets and laptops, according to a new report conducted by optical specialist Lenstore.

Lenstore polled 2,000 UK parents with children aged between two and 16 years old.

The survey found that that more than half of children in this age bracket felt more confident using a tablet than they did learning to swim, telling the time or tying their shoe laces. With the average child found to spend eight hours a day using tech.

A total of 28% of parents quizzed cited social media as the main cause, and 23% listed pop stars.

Dr Rob Hogan, a registered optometrist and council member of the general optical council (GOC) warned that eye site was suffering from a digital overload.

“At the age of two, although a child’s eyesight is in fact developed enough to use the devices, sessions must be short and supervised to avoid long term damage.”

Hogan also recommended “limiting access just before bedtime, as research has found that the ‘blue-ish’ light emitted from these devices may disrupt normal sleep patterns and can be damaging to eyesight, potentially causing vision to deteriorate over time.”