China expands child health policies to curb myopia and screen‑time attention problems

China reports a steady decline in student myopia, with the national rate falling to 50.3% in 2024 – a four‑year drop attributed to a coordinated strategy launched in 2018 that includes standards for lighting, eye‑care products, outdoor activity mandates and the approval of low‑dose atropine eye drops. The programme, overseen by the Ministry of Education, the National Health Commission and other agencies, integrates monitoring, school‑based screenings and performance‑based government assessments.

At the same time, rising screen‑time among children is linked to growing attention‑deficit concerns. Data show average daily device use of about 43 minutes on school days and up to 96 minutes on weekends. Experts such as Dr Ouyang Ying describe a new “acquired attention deficit” pattern, where excessive short‑video and gaming exposure undermines sustained focus. Recommendations emphasize a “digital diet” – setting screen‑time budgets, substituting structured offline activities, ensuring adequate sleep and modeling reduced device use by parents. The 2021 Ministry of Education notice restricting personal phones in schools supports these efforts, while local initiatives in Guangzhou provide free attention screenings and teacher training.