MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - In today's society technology has become a way of life and kids are starting to use technology at a younger age. Whether its learning to playing, kids seem to always have their faces married in a digital deice. How much is too much?

Dr. Silverman of Okemos Optometry says blue light and UV rays radiate off phone screens and tablets and that in time, can Okemos High School begins in seventh grade giving personal tablets to kids as well as teaching them with smart boards instead of chalk boards. Dr. Silverman suggests the 20-20-20 rule meaning every 20 minutes look 20 feet away from the screen for 20 seconds. Frequent eye breaks help relax the focusing in your eyes which is what kids tend to do daily while trying to focus on devices. Prescriptions are creeping up in nearsightedness meaning kids get their glasses adjusted and within a year they become more nearsighted which seems to be due to technology.

Is physical health at risk when considering kids and technology use? Dr. Stringer of Okemos Pediatrics says schools aren't focusing on physical activity as apart of the curriculum so it is key to set aside technology to get some physical activity. Also, he believes there can be some psychological effects because kids are losing communication skills that are evident to growing up. Technology is healthy and using it is very regular, but when it comes to children Dr. Stringer wants people to remember that developmental process and that technology could slow down the growing and learning of new skills.