The Blue Scree of Death

3/22/2019

Parents are always saying, “Stop looking at that phone all the time, it's hurting your eyesight.” But is this really the case? Yes, yes it is. Everyone gets eye strain from looking at their screen for too long but a lot people don't think you will get lasting damage. The blue light in our screens is damaging to our retinas and can cause macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the United States.

Scientists at the University of Toledo tested the blue light on different cells and found that blue light damages all cells. However, they didn't test is on actual eyes. The blue light in phones, while there, may not have the same toxicity as what they used. The blue light is there though, and people should be careful.

So what do you think? Will you stop using your phone as much or keep using it the same amount? Is it worth it to invest in new technology that somehow doesn't use the harmful light? Will you tell your parents they were right all along?

35 Comments

Rachel

3/24/2019 05:58:15 pm

Blue light damage from digital screens is an under-acknowledged issue that is becoming more prevalent as technology advances. It is so dangerous because the light reaches the retina, the inner lining of the back of the eye and can damage the light sensitive cells that are there. Too much exposure to blue light can result in a loss of eyesight over an extended period of time and even eventual blindness. I believe that we need to educate the public more about this problem because I know that I did not understand the full effects of it until researching it. To be honest, I will probably still use my phone the same amount, but plan on turning my brightness down more often. I wonder why there has not been a push to eliminate this dangerous light in digital technology? Is there another type of light we could use that would not be as dangerous? One solution I did find though are Blue Light Blocking Glasses. These are basically sunglasses made for protecting the eyes from digital light. They are fairly affordable, but I still think that we should be able to find a way to eliminate the problem completely.

Kelsey

3/24/2019 06:55:00 pm

Would you buy the glasses to protect your eyes? It is crazy how damaging the light rays can be, and it is even crazier that engineers have not found a way to curb this problem. From what I read, there are many ways to solve this, but companies have simply not made the effort.

Rachel

3/24/2019 07:14:12 pm

I think I would buy the glasses if I knew I was going to be spending an excessive amount of time in front of a screen. Currently, it is probably not worth it for me, but I was researching how much screen time hurts your eyes and found the "20-20-20" rule. This basically states that if you are staring at a screen for an extended amount of time, every 20 minutes you should shift your focus and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This is supposed to help lessen the effects of extended blue light exposure on your eyes.

Challis

3/24/2019 07:44:21 pm

You're right. More people should be educated on the subject so that we can prevent the bad effects.

Jesse B.

3/24/2019 07:57:21 pm

I never thought about educating the masses on this subject, but I see where it is a great idea. The more people know, the better (in this case). Would you ever consider purchasing the blue light blocking glasses? Personally, I would not with the rise of the warm light setting on devices where blue light is changed to an orange-type light.

Kelsey

3/24/2019 06:51:03 pm

Blue light is severely damaging to our eyesight. I know my eyes and head hurt after spending a day looking at a computer screen. I have used Blue Light Blocking Glasses (as Rachel mentioned) at work while spending long days entering data, and they seem to help. I have always wondered if yellow light would be easier on the eyes. We have yellow and blue light bulbs, so why isn't there yellow and blue screen light? I try not to spend too much time on my phone, and I think I am fairly successful. However, I spend a lot of time on my computer for school work which is probably worse because the screen size is larger. I wish there was a better solution to this than glasses.

Rachel

3/24/2019 07:09:10 pm

That is cool that you have actually used Blue Light Blocking Glasses. I had heard of them but never used them. I also spend a lot of time on my computer during a school day and I agree that it is probably worse for your eyes. I have never heard of yellow light being used in phones but I think we should definitely look for a solution in the future.

Challis

3/24/2019 07:42:53 pm

My eyes hurt a lot after looking at a screen too long. How much did the blue light glasses cost?

Katarina

3/24/2019 07:48:33 pm

That’s a good point maybe they can change the kind of light they use for phones.

Mckinlee

3/24/2019 07:50:57 pm

There is a night time option on some phones, it changes the lighting and I’ve found that the change is actually pretty significant and doesn’t cause my eyes to hurt as much! You said that the glasses seemed to help, would you say that they are a good solution to the problem?

Saylor

3/24/2019 07:51:07 pm

I had no idea there were glasses to prevent damage from blue light, that is a very good tool to have. I personally won't purchase them but it seems like an important invention for some people. Unless they dont cot too much I might reconsider.

Sadie

3/31/2019 03:43:39 pm

My glasses have a blue light filter, but it was a considerable amount more money to add that feature. My mom knows I look at screens a lot so she thought better than to not get it.

Challis

3/24/2019 07:41:40 pm

Personally, I cannot stand to look at a phone too long. It makes my eyes and my head hurt and can make my vision blurred. In my experience, downloading an app that reduces bluelight has helped these symptoms so I see that there might be a problem. But also many people do not experience this to the extent that I do.

Katarina

3/24/2019 07:47:30 pm

That’s a good point. Maybe it affects everyone differently.

Mckinlee

3/24/2019 07:52:27 pm

I actually didn’t know that there’s an app that allows you to reduce blue light! That’s pretty cool! But I think you’re definitely right on the affects of bluelight, from what I’ve heard it affects you far more than it does me, kind of interesting to think about right?

Saylor

3/24/2019 07:54:05 pm

I know my phone has a mode that reduces blue light, this comes in very handy because I am constantly on my phone. This mode really does help though. It is true that some people do not experience the inconvenience of headaches. It would be nice to not have to deal with headaches from everyday devices!

Katarina

3/24/2019 07:46:48 pm

I don’t know honestly. Yes phones are bad on eyesight but how bad we don’t now. I feel like if it was bad enough that we will definitely have vision problems a solution would have been made by now. Either way we should spend less time on our phones and more time in nature.

Katherine

3/24/2019 07:54:03 pm

I agree that we should be in nature more. It can’t hurt our eyes.. unless they sun burn. But that’s a different thing

Mckinlee

3/24/2019 07:47:31 pm

Other than reducing the amount of screen time you have are there any other ways to counteract the effects of blue light? Such as special glasses or a different way to design phones? I’m just curious! I read on my phone often and although I do not notice the strain it puts on my eyes I’m sure it does and has caused a significant amount of damage so I’m fairly interested in other ways to counteract the effects. Of course I have also taken to decreasing the amount of time on my phone too ;)

Jesse B.

3/24/2019 07:54:15 pm

One way to decrease stress on the eyes is to set your phone screen to a lower brightness as well as using the warm light setting for the screen. Have you found any ways that work for you when spending long periods of time in front of a computer, typing away at an assignment at 2 a.m.? I most definitely agree that decreasing screen time is the best fix to this issue.

Sadie

3/31/2019 03:47:07 pm

Sometimes I see people with their phones on FULL brightness and it bewilders me. Like, how are you doing that to yourself?

Katherine

3/24/2019 07:55:20 pm

There are special glasses. But I think there’s a way to use less blue light and use yellow light instead (like night mode?) but I’m not sure either. Those are good questions

Saylor

3/24/2019 07:49:21 pm

Phones have blue light control. When I do not have this mode on I get some intense headaches. The blue light is severely damaging to our eyes but there are precautions on our phones and such to prevent damage. Looking at any screen for too long gives me pretty intense headaches, but not all people have this problem. I didn't know there were blue light glasses to prevent this, learn something new everyday. This won't stop me from changing my daily use of my phone. I can always take migraine pills for the headaches.

Jazz

3/24/2019 08:06:56 pm

How many hours do you think it takes per day until the blue light causes lasting damage?

Jesse B.

3/24/2019 07:51:14 pm

Blue was never thought of to be a threatening color, but now with modern technology, it can be dangerous. The blue light that is emitted from phone, tablet, and computer screen has been shown to damaging to eye development. Also, this kind of illumination is a contributing factor to why many people around the globe are not getting the proper amount of sleep. If a mobile or other technological device is used within thirty minutes of going to bed, the eyes and the brain have little time to relax, making it difficult to sleep. So, I am in favor of limiting screen time for eyes and well-being. One way to combat the damage done by blue light is to set your phone screen to orange light.

Conrad

4/7/2019 02:09:44 pm

I think that the only way to actually limit phone screen time is to have our parents do it for us. Apps to monitor screen time also help, but I found when I was younger that my parents were the best at keeping me off the screen. When we are older though, I think we can handle it ourselves.

Katherine

3/24/2019 07:52:59 pm

My vision gets affected by blue light pretty bad. After a day of working on essays and looking at a computer screen, my vision becomes blurry and I have a hard time clearly seeing anything farther than five feet away from me. I try not to look at my phone for too long at a time. When I get bored I’m not the most successful at it though. I think that there could be other solutions to using the blue light, but I don’t know if it would be as bright.

Jazz

3/24/2019 08:08:05 pm

Do you think that this problem with blue light will eventually affect humans vision as we evolve?

Sariah

5/17/2019 12:37:30 am

I like how you brought up the fact that you use your phone and computer a lot for school work. I was thinking about it and I do a lot of my homework online. It is all becoming digital. I am sure if someone developed a light for technology that was not so damaging they would make trillions.

Jazz

3/24/2019 08:06:15 pm

Looking at my phone screen for too long has given me more migraines than I’d like to admit, and yet, I never seem to use my phone any less. Blue light has left me dizzy and with vision so blurry that I can’t even read something two feet in front of my face. Even with settings like orange light, the blue light itself doesn’t just disappear. There have been multiple solutions to the issues revolving blue light such as glasses or the orange light settings, but I wonder if any new ones will pop up soon.

Sadie

3/31/2019 03:38:44 pm

I probably will not use my phone any less because my Samsung has a blue light filter and my glasses can shield most harmful rays anyway. Yes, we already have technology that shields harmful blue light, but the least expensive route is to turn on your blue light filter. I completely understand if no one wants to spend upwards of $1000 for fancy glasses. Unfortunately, I rely on them to be able to see and to protect my sensitive eyes. So really, turn on your blue light filter. It probably helps more than you would think

Conrad

4/7/2019 02:07:55 pm

My Samsung also has a blue light filter. I wonder how effective this really is in comparison with the 1000 dollar glasses or not having anything at all.

Conrad

4/7/2019 02:04:04 pm

I do know that this is a problem and that I personally probably us my screen enough to damage my eyes. Even with this knowledge, I still am too drawn to my screen to overcome this. I do have a small feature that is supposed to reduce the blue light being emitted by and I permanently keep that on. Again, I don't think it makes enough of a difference as I need. With the way that this world is going, tech is the future, and something needs to be done about this. Whether it is a new set of screens or eyewear (which has already been made but noone wears it because there isn't enough motivation) something has to be done. Apps monitoring screen time work good, and I think that parents will also provide a pivotal role in keeping their kids off the screens.

Sariah

5/17/2019 12:35:28 am

Do you think that this is the reason a lot more children need glasses now a days? I feel like my eyes are getting worse and worse and I could probably blame myself for that one because of screen use. You also mentioned the app monitoring screen time and how you can check time on your children’s phones. Do you think you will use that to check your kids phones?

Sariah

5/17/2019 12:20:03 am

This is something I have thought a lot about lately for myself but also for my future children. I am worried about what my kids are going to have o go through with technology. I definitely do not want them to be addicted to a screen. I especially see games as overly addicting. I find that I see people at school who cannot not play a game on their phone. We also babysit a little boy who has MAJOR video game issues and he could play is tablet all day and night if no one told him to stop. This is a major issue and needs to be addressed. I definitely will be parenting my children with minimal phone use and game time.

The Blue Scree of Death

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