Home Gaming Kids shouldn’t use 3D

Kids shouldn’t use 3D

2 min read
11

Kids 3DS

I love my Nintendo 3DS. It doesn’t get constant use, but whenever I get a cool game for it and dust it off, I’m reminded of how much I enjoy it. However, I almost never play with the 3D on, and if I do I keep it quite minimal. It just doesn’t add to my enjoyment factor too much, and if used for too long can give me a bit of a migraine. Apparently, it’s even worse for kids.

France’s health and safety executive, ANSES, has done extensive research into the effect of stereoscopic 3D images and determined that it actually effects children in much more profound ways than it does adults. While adults feel the effects as tired eyes or headaches, those whose brains are still rapidly developing could actually have developmental issues as a result of 3D images.

An analysis of the available scientific literature identified different potential symptoms related to exposure to 3D audiovisual interfaces, resulting from the visual fatigue caused by “vergence-accommodation conflict”. In the real world, to perceive depth and relief, the eyes converge (i.e. they are directed at the same object) and accommodate (the lens of each eye changes shape to obtain clear vision) at the same distance, i.e. the distance to the object being observed. The creation of artificial stereoscopic effects by technical means (3D) makes it impossible for the eye to respect this physiological principle. The eyes’ accommodation (to a screen, for example) and convergence (on an object located in the foreground or background of the screen) do not therefore occur at the same distance.

As a result, ANSES recommends that kids under the age of six shouldn’t be exposed to 3D technology while those under the age of 13 should only use it in moderation. However, New Scientist disagrees, saying that after so many years of 3D entertainment there haven’t been any reports of long-term adverse effects at any age. They see the bans as rash and unnecessary.

I think this is more about the impact of technology and screens on children in general. Nintendo already warned that 3D might not be good for kids, causing eye fatigue. Parents are worrying about how many hours kids spend using tablets and other devices. Is it time to panic? Or is this all just part of the times and we’re those grumping old people who talk about playing outside as children when all we want to do now is play in our caves all day.

Last Updated: November 28, 2014

11 Comments

  1. Aries

    November 28, 2014 at 11:39

    It does say in most manuals that children 12 and under shouldn’t use it

    Reply

  2. fred

    November 28, 2014 at 11:39

    My daughter does not like it anyway , switches it off on the 3ds.

    Reply

  3. konfab aka derp

    November 28, 2014 at 11:47

    Whole generations have grown up on 3D images…
    [refresh for relevant image]

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    November 28, 2014 at 11:56

    Games are like alcohol, so go play outside!

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      November 28, 2014 at 13:48

      But I’m drunk…

      Reply

    • Weanerdog

      November 28, 2014 at 14:45

      Oh you can drink them.

      Reply

  5. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    November 28, 2014 at 11:59

    :/ I can’t handle the 3D either.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 28, 2014 at 11:59

      It’s a gimmick. Useless gimmick

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        November 28, 2014 at 13:47

        You take that back before Alien Trevor sees you!

        Reply

  6. Raptor Rants A Lot

    November 28, 2014 at 11:59

    Now if only I had one of my own 🙁

    Reply

  7. RinceThis

    November 28, 2014 at 13:46

    Vergence-accommodation conflict… I thought you only got that when your occulus rift doesn’t match up to your… strokes…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Ten years later, the Nintendo 3DS is an unsung hero

Undoubtedly one of Nintendo’s best ever pure handheld devices, the 3DS leaves behind a leg…