The myth started back in the 1960s, Specifically in 1967 when General Electric sold some new-fangled color TV sets that emitted excessive amounts of radiation - as much as 100,000 times more than federal health officials considered safe. GE quickly recalled and repaired the faulty TVs, but the myth continues to this day.
However, mums around the world ever since felt it was bad for their kids to sit too close to the TV, even though that is no longer the case at all. Dr. Lee Duffner of the American Academy of Ophthalmology isn't concerned, maintaining that watching television screens -close up or otherwise- "won't cause any physical damage to your eyes." He added, however, that a lot of TV watching can surely cause eye strain and fatigue, particularly for those sitting very close and/or watching from odd angles. But there is an easy cure for eye strain and fatigue: turning off the TV and getting some rest. With a good night's sleep, tired eyes should quickly return to normal.
Parents should just try to limit the duration of time their children sit in front of the television to avoid straining and fatigue of the eyes.
While it may be inevitable that your kids will watch TV, the key, experts say, is moderation. Limit kids’ exposure to screens of any kind, and monitor what they are allowed to watch. As Kids Health points out, parents should teach their kids that the TV is “for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.”
