A 20-20-20 timer for kids.
Children today look at screens longer than any generation before them — and during the most vulnerable years for eye development. The 20-20-20 rule is one of the few interventions with both clinical recommendation and easy implementation, and EYE CARE makes it a one-tab habit for any kid with a tablet, Chromebook, or laptop. Free, no signup, no ads in the kid view, available in 12 languages.
Why the 20-20-20 rule matters more for children
- A child's eye is still elongating until around age 12 — prolonged near-focus during this window is one of the strongest known drivers of myopia (nearsightedness).
- Kids absorbed in a game or video can drop to 4–5 blinks per minute, drying out the tear film and producing the eye rubbing many parents notice after a long tablet session.
- Children rarely report eye discomfort directly — they get irritable, lose focus, or unconsciously move the screen closer to their face. A timer makes the break habit external and reliable.
How to set it up for a kid
Open eyecare.love in a tab next to whatever your child is using — Google Classroom, a learning app, a game. The timer chimes every 20 minutes and the screen takes over for 20 seconds with a calming break overlay. Most kids enjoy the rhythm once they get used to it; the audible chime is the social cue that makes the habit stick. Pair it with the 20-20-2 rule — at least 2 hours of outdoor time daily — for the strongest available myopia-protective effect.
What it does not replace
A timer does not replace a comprehensive pediatric eye exam, daily outdoor time, or healthy screen-time limits. If your child squints at the whiteboard at school, rubs their eyes constantly, or holds the iPad close to their face, schedule an exam regardless of how diligent the break habit is. Early intervention matters more than catching it in middle school.
Common questions
- Is the 20-20-20 rule appropriate for young children?
- Yes. The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 rule for children using screens for more than two hours daily, alongside the 20-20-2 rule (2 hours of outdoor time per day).
- My child uses an iPad — does it work in Safari?
- Yes. EYE CARE runs in Safari, Chrome, and Edge. Installed as a PWA from the share menu, it works as a Slide Over window alongside your child's app.
- Will it actually slow myopia?
- On its own, the 20-20-20 rule does not have strong evidence for slowing myopia progression. Outdoor time has the strongest evidence. The 20-20-20 rule helps with day-to-day eye fatigue and supports an overall healthy screen-time habit.
- Can I disable the donation popups for my child?
- The donation prompt only appears after 10 completed sessions and can be dismissed forever with one click. There are no other ads in the kid-facing flow.