In the midst of all the holiday shopping going all around the world, one item of note will most likely be purchased to be given to a number of delighted kids on Christmas morning – that is, the immensely popular Nintendo 3DS (or any of its various iterations – 2DS, 3DS XL).
However, according to findings by French health and safety agency, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), children under the age of 6 should not be exposed to stereoscopic 3D images, as the Nintendo 3DS’ 3D technology and 3D televisions provide, due to the potential of impairing the health and development of their vision.
(Note: This article’s reported information does not apply to the Nintendo 2DS, as it does not have the 3DS’ 3D effect. More information from Nintendo at the end of the piece.)
ANSES states the reasons for this recommendation stems from a particular process in the brain called “vergence-accommodation conflict,” that occurs during the brain and visual system’s interpreting of stereoscopic 3D images. In most adults, the effects of this conflict manifests as tired eyes or slight headaches, however, for children under six (who are still very much in physiological development), the task of focusing on the 3D illusion the Nintendo 3DS’ visual effects provides could be both damaging their eyes and vision as well as imprinting bad visual habits on kids’ brains.
Furthermore, the French body stated the kids under the age of 13 should make sure to use the 3DS’ effect in moderation.
Read what ANSES report on the Nintendo 3DS says after the break.
Nintendo 3DS’ 3D Effect: Not for Kids Under 6
The following excerpts come from ANSES’ report “3D technologies and eyesight: use not recommended for chidren under the age of six, use in moderation for those under the age of 13” –
“The last ten years have seen the rapid development of new stereoscopic audiovisual technologies in 3D. The substantial increase in the supply of films in 3D at the cinema since the middle of the 2000’s has been followed by a growing range of televisions, computers, games consoles, mobile phones and other devices equipped with 3D technology. The development of these technologies raises the question of their possible impact on health, and in particular on human eyesight, in cases of prolonged exposure, especially in children and adolescents.”
“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.”
Because of what ANSES discovered throughout their findings, the agency has issued the following recommendations:
- Children under the age of 6 should not be exposed to 3D technologies
- Children under the age of 13 should only use 3D technologies in moderation, and that both they and their parents should be vigilant concerning any resulting symptoms
- Persons subject to certain visual disorders (disorders of accommodation, vergence, etc.) and problems with balance should limit their exposure to these technologies, including in the context of occupational exposure
Naturally, Nintendo issued an official statement in response to ANSES’ finding, stating that the company has been recommending that younger children should not use the Nintendo 3DS’ 3D feature.
Nintendo’s statement can be seen below:
“We acknowledge the results of the ANSES study into the effects of 3D technologies and have supported corresponding recommendations since the launch of Nintendo 3DS in 2011.
We have always advised that parents and caregivers restrict the use of 3D for children aged six and under, by using Parental Controls to restrict access to the 3D mode. In fact anyone playing on a Nintendo 3DS can use the 3D depth slider to scale back the 3D effect or even turn it off completely at any time.
Since then, we also launched Nintendo 2DS, which allows anyone, including children aged six and under, to enjoy playing a console that renders games and images in 2D mode only.
Finally, regardless of age, we recommend that consumers take periodic breaks when playing on a games console, whether this is in 3D mode or not.“
What are your thoughts on ANSES findings regarding the potential harm the Nintendo 3DS (or any piece of technology that delivers stereoscopic 3D images) can have on younger children? If you frequently play on a Nintendi 3DS with the 3D effect on, do you feel the effects of the mentioned “vergence-accommodation conflict,” i.e. headaches, tired eyes, et cetera?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.