Do Black Screens Damage Eyes? Myth vs. Reality Explained
Content Idea: "ELI5: Why Your Phone/Computer is Suddenly So Slow (and How to Fix It Without Being a Tech Guru)"
- Recurring Problem/Questions Identified from Patterns:
- "How do I speed up my slow [phone/laptop/PC]?" (Pattern: "How do I...")
- "Can someone explain why my device is lagging all of a sudden?" (Pattern: "Can someone explain...")
- "What does 'bloatware' or 'clearing cache' actually mean for performance?" (Pattern: "What does X mean?")
- "ELI5: Why do perfectly good devices seem to get slower over time?" (Pattern: "ELI5...")
- "I'm confused about whether I need more RAM, a new hard drive, or if it's just software bogging things down." (Pattern: "Confused about...")
These types of questions are everywhere on tech forums, social media, and Q&A sites, showing that people really want clear, simple explanations and solutions.
-
Explanation of the Idea & Why it's Potentially Viral:
- Core Confusion Addressed: Almost everyone has felt the frustration of a device slowing down. Users often don't know the cause (age, malware, too many files, software issues) and dread the complexity of fixing it or the cost of replacement.
- Value Proposition: This content would demystify common causes of device slowdown and provide easy-to-follow, actionable steps for non-technical users to diagnose and potentially resolve these issues themselves. It empowers them to regain performance and potentially extend the lifespan of their devices.
- Relatability: Extremely high. Slow devices are a near-universal experience for smartphone and computer users.
- Emotional Hook: The frustration and helplessness associated with slow technology are strong motivators. Content offering relief and simple solutions is highly shareable.
- Searchability & Timeliness: "Slow phone" or "slow computer" are consistently high-volume search terms.
- Myth-Busting Potential: Can address common misconceptions like "downloading more RAM" or the overuse/misuse of "speed booster" apps.
-
Example Content Outline/Key Points:
- ELI5: Why Do Our Gadgets Betray Us With Slowness?
- Too many apps/processes running (the "juggling too many balls" analogy).
- Storage space at its limit (the "no room to breathe" analogy).
- Outdated software (OS, apps) with bugs or inefficiencies.
- Pesky "bloatware" (unnecessary pre-installed software).
- Potential malware or viruses hogging resources.
- (Briefly) Aging hardware, though the focus is on fixable software/usage issues.
- The "Tech First Aid Kit": Simple Fixes Anyone Can Try
- The Magic Restart: Why turning it off and on again often works.
- The Digital Declutter: How to check storage, identify and delete unused apps/files (photos, videos after backup), and the right way to clear cache.
- Taming Background Apps: How to see what's running and limit non-essential background activity.
- Update Power: The importance of keeping OS and key apps updated.
- Malware Checkup: Simple steps for a basic security scan.
- Browser Overload (Computers): Managing too many tabs or problematic extensions.
- Common Myths That Won't Speed You Up (and Might Slow You Down):
- Debunking "RAM booster" apps.
- The limited utility of constant manual RAM clearing on modern OS.
- When to Call for Backup (or Consider an Upgrade): Signs that the problem might be more serious hardware failure or true obsolescence.
- ELI5: Why Do Our Gadgets Betray Us With Slowness?
-
Target Audience:
- General Smartphone & Computer Users: Anyone who has experienced a device slowing down.
- Non-technical Individuals: Those who feel intimidated by troubleshooting tech issues.
- Budget-Conscious Users: People looking to extend the life of their current devices rather than immediately replacing them.
- Older Adults or Less Tech-Savvy Parents: Who may need simpler guidance on device maintenance.
Origin Reddit Post
r/answers
If I watched a black screen would it damage my eyes?
Posted by u/Ransom_manz•05/31/2025
Like just an image of a black screen, not the screen turned off, just black, would it still damage my eyes or does it not count?
Top Comments
u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
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For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/Chop1n
This is true. But my reply is a direct reply to the comment "watching screens doesn't damage your eyes". Staring at screens, as well as anything else, can cause myopia.
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/Ransom_manz
I thought it did
u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/Hoyipolli
The danger of screens is not the screens themselves, but focusing on something so close to you. If you do it often and consistently, your eyes will begin to have trouble focusing on things fu
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha
u/arealhumannotabot
I think the distinction is that it’s not that a black screen is inherently dangerous. You would get the same effect staring at anything. It’s not like how staring at the sun is inherently dan
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/C47man
Parents tell kids that so they don't spend all day watching TV or playing videogames. The only associated ailments really are just eyestrain from focusing on things at a single distance for t
u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/Ransom_manz
I thought it did
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/doppelwurzel
Just gonna leave this here because I was going to ask you for that literature reference and decided I could Google it myself...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9820324/
The odds of
u/Vern1138
I'm really not sure why anyone would downvote this completely accurate, researched, and proven scientific fact.
u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/arealhumannotabot
I think the distinction is that it’s not that a black screen is inherently dangerous. You would get the same effect staring at anything. It’s not like how staring at the sun is inherently dan
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/Ransom_manz
I thought it did
u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/Chop1n
This is true. But my reply is a direct reply to the comment "watching screens doesn't damage your eyes". Staring at screens, as well as anything else, can cause myopia.
u/Ransom_manz
I thought it did
u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/rainey832
if you stare at anything close for a prolonged amount of time you'll damage your eyes. If you don't use it you'll lose it, so look at far away things
u/fixermark
Your eyes don't try to focus on the inside of your eyelids. OP is referring to the idea that staring at close-up things all the time causes eyestrain.
(Easy to confuse because back in the da
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/C47man
Parents tell kids that so they don't spend all day watching TV or playing videogames. The only associated ailments really are just eyestrain from focusing on things at a single distance for t
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/Chop1n
This is true. But my reply is a direct reply to the comment "watching screens doesn't damage your eyes". Staring at screens, as well as anything else, can cause myopia.
u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/Miya__Atsumu
Yep.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes look at something for 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help with close distance eye strain.
u/Healthy-Releas
The bigger risk is probably ending up meditating and having an epiphany. That shit is dangerous.
u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/Venn--
It really depends.
First of all, it's not necessarily the screen that hurts your eyes, but the fact that usually you never look away from the screen. Your eyes need exercise to continue to
u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/rainey832
if you stare at anything close for a prolonged amount of time you'll damage your eyes. If you don't use it you'll lose it, so look at far away things
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/Hoyipolli
The danger of screens is not the screens themselves, but focusing on something so close to you. If you do it often and consistently, your eyes will begin to have trouble focusing on things fu
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/Vern1138
I'm really not sure why anyone would downvote this completely accurate, researched, and proven scientific fact.
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha
u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/Chop1n
Relentless near-work that causes perpetual eyestrain will absolutely induce myopia, and it's getting less and less controversial to say that as the literature piles up. The thing that pushed
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/arealhumannotabot
I think the distinction is that it’s not that a black screen is inherently dangerous. You would get the same effect staring at anything. It’s not like how staring at the sun is inherently dan
u/Vern1138
I'm really not sure why anyone would downvote this completely accurate, researched, and proven scientific fact.
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/Chop1n
This is true. But my reply is a direct reply to the comment "watching screens doesn't damage your eyes". Staring at screens, as well as anything else, can cause myopia.
u/fixermark
Your eyes don't try to focus on the inside of your eyelids. OP is referring to the idea that staring at close-up things all the time causes eyestrain.
(Easy to confuse because back in the da
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/Miya__Atsumu
Yep.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes look at something for 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help with close distance eye strain.
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha
u/C47man
Parents tell kids that so they don't spend all day watching TV or playing videogames. The only associated ailments really are just eyestrain from focusing on things at a single distance for t
u/fixermark
Your eyes don't try to focus on the inside of your eyelids. OP is referring to the idea that staring at close-up things all the time causes eyestrain.
(Easy to confuse because back in the da
u/Scottusername
Actually black screens are the most dangerous. If you look at a pure black screen, all the light will get sucked out of your eyeballs and they'll implode, making you blind forever
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/Hoyipolli
The danger of screens is not the screens themselves, but focusing on something so close to you. If you do it often and consistently, your eyes will begin to have trouble focusing on things fu
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/Ransom_manz
I thought it did
u/arealhumannotabot
I think the distinction is that it’s not that a black screen is inherently dangerous. You would get the same effect staring at anything. It’s not like how staring at the sun is inherently dan
u/TheBear8878
ngl, you had me in the first half
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/whiteholewhite
Yes. Only way to reverse it is to stare into the sun
u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/arealhumannotabot
I think the distinction is that it’s not that a black screen is inherently dangerous. You would get the same effect staring at anything. It’s not like how staring at the sun is inherently dan
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/rainey832
if you stare at anything close for a prolonged amount of time you'll damage your eyes. If you don't use it you'll lose it, so look at far away things
u/rainey832
if you stare at anything close for a prolonged amount of time you'll damage your eyes. If you don't use it you'll lose it, so look at far away things
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/C47man
Parents tell kids that so they don't spend all day watching TV or playing videogames. The only associated ailments really are just eyestrain from focusing on things at a single distance for t
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/Hoyipolli
The danger of screens is not the screens themselves, but focusing on something so close to you. If you do it often and consistently, your eyes will begin to have trouble focusing on things fu
u/Kaurifish
Our eyeballs survived House of the Dragon, so I’ll say no.
u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/Miya__Atsumu

u/ecrum14
No.
But why would you think it might
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/C47man
Watching screens doesn't damage your eyes.
u/Vern1138
I'm really not sure why anyone would downvote this completely accurate, researched, and proven scientific fact.
u/whitestone0
I've also seen research comparing children who spend a lot of time outside and a lot of time inside, with the same amount of screen time and reading time. School age kids, not babies. It seem
u/Vern1138
I'm really not sure why anyone would downvote this completely accurate, researched, and proven scientific fact.
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/Hoyipolli
The danger of screens is not the screens themselves, but focusing on something so close to you. If you do it often and consistently, your eyes will begin to have trouble focusing on things fu
u/marcus_frisbee
No. But it would prove you're crazy.
u/Ransom_manz
Now that I think of it, it was a stupid question
u/Xorpion
You do something similar several hours at a time when you sleep if I'm understanding the question correctly.
u/Miya__Atsumu
Yep.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes look at something for 20 feet away for 20 seconds to help with close distance eye strain.
u/C47man
Parents tell kids that so they don't spend all day watching TV or playing videogames. The only associated ailments really are just eyestrain from focusing on things at a single distance for t
u/Chop1n
This is true. But my reply is a direct reply to the comment "watching screens doesn't damage your eyes". Staring at screens, as well as anything else, can cause myopia.
u/rainey832
if you stare at anything close for a prolonged amount of time you'll damage your eyes. If you don't use it you'll lose it, so look at far away things
u/qualityvote2
Hello u/Ransom_manz! Welcome to r/answers!
---
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, **upvote this comment!**
Otherwise, **downvote this comment!**
And if it does bre
u/whitestone0
The studies account for these variables.
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha
u/Chop1n
That's just because kids who spend time outside have extended, uninterrupted periods of time where their eyes aren't being strained. When you're indoors, 99% of the time you're staring at thi
u/sordid_purgator
You'll go blind mate. Not something I'd recommend. The retina gets so messed up that it stops responding to the optic nerves which further damages the neurological functions related to ophtha