Help protect your vision health with Screen Distance on iPad
Viewing a device (or a book) too closely for an extended period of time can increase the risk of myopia for younger users and eyestrain for users of all ages. The Screen Distance feature in Screen Time uses the TrueDepth camera (supported models) to detect when you hold iPad closer than 12 inches for an extended period, and encourages you to move it farther away.
Screen Distance can remind younger users to engage in healthy viewing habits that can lower their risk of myopia. It gives adult users the opportunity to reduce digital eyestrain.
Note: Screen Distance is turned on by default for children under 13 in a Family Sharing group.
Turn Screen Distance on or off
Go to Settings
> Screen Time.
Tap Screen Distance, then turn on Screen Distance.
With Screen Distance on, when you hold the screen too close to your face for an extended period, Screen Distance covers the screen with an alert, preventing you from continuing. When you move iPad more than 12 inches away, you can tap Continue to resume using it.
![A screen with a warning that iPad is too close and a suggestion to keep iPad at arm’s length. When iPad moves further away, the Continue button at the bottom appears so you can return to the previous screen.](https://help.apple.com/assets/6758C0F05C38883A170CE6F4/6758C0F55C38883A170CE700/en_US/3728f596d17f3c0d4e8bc58af91a682f.png)