96% of parents in Northern Ireland say they turn to the internet to decode how their child sees the world, with the most obscure and quirky searches revealed. These queries include ‘why do kids say 6 7?’, why do kids eat sponges?’, ‘why do kids like sitting in a box?’ and ‘do kids naturally hate vegetables?’.
A massive 96% of parents struggle to understand their child’s weird and wonderful world, according to the research. However, the eye care experts at Specsavers, who commissioned the study, warn that a crucial topic is being missed – with no parents in Northern Ireland (0%) seeking advice on their child’s vision.
When it comes to their child’s physical health, 33% have searched for answers online, with most common themes including sleep problems or tiredness (75%), mental wellbeing or emotional health (63%), high temperatures (50%), or developmental milestones (50%). Yet 0% have sought advice about ways to improve kids’ eyesight.
Of those who haven’t, many say it’s because they didn’t spot vision problems in their child (28%) or believe their child is too young for it to be a concern (12%). Paula Cunningham, ophthalmic director from Specsavers Connswater, highlights that children often don’t report vision issues because they assume what they see is normal – and regular eye tests are recommended from the age of three.
Child psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, adds: “It’s not surprising parents are turning to search engines to help navigate the many questions that come with raising children – from behaviour and development to the often weird and wonderful things kids say or do. “Children are curious and imaginative, and this plays a vital role in how they learn, explore and build confidence. Because so much of that discovery is visual, clear vision is crucial to their development. In all areas of life, and the classroom especially, clear vision is fundamental. Being able to see and focus underpins learning; when vision is affected, it can influence a child’s attention, engagement and behaviour. That’s why parents should prioritise eye health as an important part of their child’s overall wellbeing.”
The survey uncovers what parents in Northern Ireland search for most, with 38% saying they search about their child’s habits or routines, while a similar amount (33%) question whether certain behaviours of their child are common. Interestingly, more than half of parents (58%) admit their online searches regularly start with “Is it normal for my child to…”.
When it comes to their child’s eye health, 16% of parents are not aware of any common eyesight issues which can affect children, such as short-sightedness or lazy eyes (amblyopia). Worryingly, 12% of those polled, have never taken their child for an eye test, while 20% haven’t done so within the last two years. The main reason for this was simply because their child hasn’t complained about their vision (12%), with 12% also saying they would make an appointment if there appeared to be an issue.
Paula Cunningham, ophthalmic director from Specsavers Connswater, says “This research proves how easy it is to overlook a child’s eye health unless obvious symptoms appear. But that’s why being proactive is so important. Regular eye tests can identify issues early – often before a child realises anything is wrong. What many parents may not realise is that many sight conditions, such as myopia in kids, can be managed or corrected if they’re detected before the age of eight, while vision is still developing.”
The research aims to encourage parents to prioritise their children’s eye health and reveals how children’s sight problems are going unnoticed. In fact, around 1 in 5 children under 10 experience sight conditions according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists* – which is up to 1.6 million children in the UK**.
Book your child’s NHS-funded eye test at Specsavers.co.uk for children under 16.
