Children with migraine and screens: settings for parents

Updated 2026-11-02

Quick answerMigraine is common in children and ICHD-3 describes childhood syndromes linked to it. A 1991 study of 20 children found rose-tinted glasses reduced attacks, but it was small. For kids on screens, dim the device, turn off autoplay, set screen breaks and talk to a pediatrician about frequent headaches.

What the research says

  • Good 1991: 20 children; rose tint 6.2 to 1.6 attacks a month over 4 months, while a blue tint did not help lastingly.
  • ICHD-3 1.6 lists episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine, mostly in children.

Settings

  • Turn off autoplay on YouTube and other apps.
  • Lower brightness and use dark mode in the evening.
  • Use parental screen-time tools for breaks.

When to get help

  • Headaches that wake a child, worsen over time or come with vomiting need a doctor.
  • See a doctor urgently for a sudden severe headache, new weakness, trouble speaking, loss of vision or confusion (NHS).

FAQ

Can children use Migraine Mode?

It works for anyone using Chrome; it is a comfort tool, not a treatment.

Should my child wear tinted glasses?

Ask an eye doctor; evidence is from one small study.

Sources

  • Good PA, Taylor RH, Mortimer MJ. The use of tinted glasses in childhood migraine. Headache, 1991. Link
  • ICHD-3: 1.6 Episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine. Link
  • YouTube Help: Autoplay videos. Link
  • NHS. Headaches: when and where to get medical help. Link
  • Do TP, Remmers A, Schytz HW, et al. Red and orange flags for secondary headaches in clinical practice: SNNOOP10 list. Neurology 2019;92(3):134–144. Link

Not a medical device and not medical advice. Migraine Mode is a screen-comfort tool: it does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent migraine or any other condition, and it does not replace a doctor. Its settings are based on studies of light, colour, flicker, patterns and motion; the extension itself has not been clinically tested. When to see a doctor.