North Korean media recently claimed that the country has developed an alarm device for eyesight protection as part of efforts to prevent myopia in children.
“With the recent progress in the information industry, the rate of myopia observed in children is growing due to digital education and entertainment,” reported the North Korean propaganda website DPRK Today on July 20. “[The country’s] development of an alarm device effective in preventing myopia and protecting vision has been well-received by users.”
The website explained that North Korean children’s prolonged screen time on mobile phones or video games has made eyesight deterioration and shortsightedness prevalent, motivating scientists to develop the device.
According to the website, the device has been designed to be hung over each ear. When a child reads a book or uses an electronic gadget closer than at prescribed distances, an alarm goes off at different stages.
Using this device is extremely effective in protecting eyesight since a child can adjust their distance by themselves based on when the alarm sounds, the website claimed.
A Daily NK analysis of a photograph released by the website of the device (see photograph to the right) suggests that the device has a simple operating mechanism. With the help of a distance sensor incorporated on its front, the alarm goes off when it gets closer to an object.
However, its practicality is in doubt since its size is disproportionate to its features.
From the photograph, the device appears to be as big and heavy as a brick. Furthermore, its size and weight would likely be a strain on children.
The angle adjustment tool by the ear loops and the protrusion on the right-hand side of the device seem to have been designed to make up for its heaviness.
Pressure on the ears seems to be alleviated by adjusting the angle of ear loops, moving it back and forth and bringing the device close in contact with the user’s face.
Even then, the device appears to be highly impractical for use by children.
In this regard, an individual can easily make a smaller device with equivalent features, using palmtop computers and certain components available on the market. Doing this would be more cost-effective as well.
It seems that the attempt to miniaturize this device has failed given North Korea’s lack of technological prowess, along its inability to acquire small components.
That being said, there may be features undisclosed by the website that could justify its large size.
This device has been produced in cooperation between the medical teams of Ryu Gyeong Ophthalmic Hospital and the developers of Myo Hyang Electronic Appliance Factory.
North Korean authorities have recently expressed great concern about excessive gaming on the part of children.
In January, Rodong Sinmun warned that parents letting their children play games on computers and mobile phones is highly improper and that such indulgence will have the consequence of “ruining their children’s future.”
*Translated by Sujin Jun
