3D TVs Could Be Harmful to Children and Teens

Ever since the television became a permanent fixture in our living rooms in the 1950s, technology has been changing to make it more enjoyable and exciting for viewers. From black and white to color, flat screen, high-def, and now 3D, television manufacturers are constantly upping the ante on our home-viewing experience. But are all of these new technologies good for us? While many of the advances in television have made home viewing better, the verdict is still out on 3D TVs, but the outcome doesn't look good. Many more studies need to be done on this new technology; however, doctors are already warning that exposure to 3D TV could produce harmful and even permanent side effects, especially in children.

With the proliferation of 3D movies in theatres this past year, doctors have become increasingly concerned with the side effects certain adults are reporting. "Avatar" in particular made headlines when a 42-year-old Taiwanese man died after being over stimulated by the 3D film. And in Australia, a leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Lionel Kowal, has warned that 3D TV can cause several unpleasant side effects, ranging from dizziness and eyestrain to headaches and nausea. These limited and early findings, while not conclusive, beg the question: If 3D TV can be harmful to fully-developed adults, how much more so could it harm children, whose eyesight is still developing?

Much more research needs to be conducted in this area, but speculation suggests that children should be limited in their 3D viewing. According to an article by Mark Pesce, 3D technology cheats our brains into processing actual depth perception. In real life, our brain relies on ten different cues to process depth, but the 3D glasses used for a movie only use one, forcing your brain to ignore other cues. This condition, known as binocular dysphoria, can confuse your brain's depth perception messages, even after you take the glasses off, resulting in the unpleasant side effects already mentioned. While the condition may only be temporary and mildly annoying at best after a couple of hours in a theatre, its effects could be much worse on someone experiencing it for hours each day at home. In children, when visual cues are still developing, the long-term effects could be devastating. While no one yet knows for sure if 3D TV will cause permanent damage in children, many believe it may.

Samsung has already covered its bases by issuing an extensive 3D TV warning, which lists the potential for ten different side effects. It then goes on to say that, " Parents should monitor and ask their children about the above symptoms as children and teenagers may be more likely to experience these symptoms than adults." Even Nintendo, upon announcing the release of its new 3DS personal gaming system, is stating that children under six shouldn't use the 3D technology at all, as it could be potentially harmful to developing eyes. At the very least, parents should monitor the use of 3D technology by their children, looking for any negative symptoms and side effects. Dr. Dominick Maino, a Professor of Pediatrics specializing in Binocular Vision, adds that beyond looking for side effects, school-age children should receive an eye exam at least once a year.

The verdict is still out on whether or not 3D TV will be an enjoyable pastime for years to come, or a short-lived thrill with negative effects. Many more studies need to be done before the experts can issue certain guidelines. But given the initial studies and warnings in the field, it's safe to say that parents should exercise extreme caution when exposing children to prolonged 3D technology. An hour or two in a theatre a few times a year may be okay, but daily viewings in your living room may do much more harm than good.