Health Tips

Healthy Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products

Student Health Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong

Go outdoor, be physically active

• Consecutive use for more than one hour of Internet and electronic screen products is discouraged

• Accumulate at least three hours physical activities daily for pre- schoolers and at least one hour for school children

• Engage in interactive activities in real life
  
  
  
  • Play time and talk with children especially the younger ones

  • Encourage group activities

  • Appreciate non-academic achievements

Limit screen time and choose screen activities wisely

Suggested screen time:

• (for) Under 2 years old:
  
  
  
  • Avoid letting your children in contact with any electronic screen products unless to do interactive video-chat under parental guidance

  • If you think the use of certain screen activity may benefit his learning and development, always accompany and guide him and set limits for him

• (for) 2 to 5 years old:
  
  
  If electronic screen products have to be used,
  
  
  • Screen time should be restricted to within one hour per day

  • Under the guidance and supervision by parents or teachers

• (for) 6 to 12 years old:
  
  
  
  • Limit recreational screen time to not more than two hours a day

• (for) 12 to 18 years old:
  
  
  
  • Avoid prolonged screen time

Ensure adequate sleep time and appropriate environment

• Turn off the computer

• Keep other electronic screen products out of reach during sleep

Adopt proper setting

• Adjust brightness, font size and workstation.

• (Be aware of) Reading distance:
  
  
  
  • Keep not less than 50cm for computers,

  • not less than 40cm for tablet personal computers,

  • and not less 30cm for smartphones

Blink, break and rest

• Rest for 20 to 30 seconds after every 20 to 30 minutes of screen use

• Change position

• Blink eyes

• Do muscle relaxation exercise

Protect hearing

• 60-60 Rule:
  
  
  • Listen at no more than 60% of the mobile device's maximum volume for less than cumulative 60 minutes a day

Prevent accident

• Avoid using mobile electronic screen products while doing other tasks requiring attention

Pay attention to personal hygiene

• Clean the surface of the screen regularly and avoid sharing the electronic screen products with others

Be aware of cyber-safety

• Protect privacy

• Do not meet online “friend”

• Do not respond to inappropriate messages

Behave oneself when using Internet and social networking sites

• Do not bully, harass or flam others

• Do not spread rumours

Restrict access to inappropriate content

• Parents should actively involve in children’s Internet use

• Choose age-appropriate video games for them and monitor their use

Student Health Service, Department of Health
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Hrm9bmXrU&feature=youtu.be