Why
Blinking and flashing content can be problematic if you think about it for several reasons:
Annoying - This is personal, I just find them really annoying and like popups they are an unnecessary distraction.
Photosensitivity - For individuals with photosensitive seizures, flickering or flashing lights can trigger seizures or migraines. This can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening situations.
Cognitive Overload - Blinking or flashing content can be distracting and disorienting for users with cognitive disabilities such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It can disrupt their ability to focus on the main content of the webpage.
Visual Impairment - People with low vision or certain eye conditions may struggle to follow rapidly changing content, making it difficult for them to understand the information conveyed.
Accessibility Guidelines - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, the international standard for website accessibility, recommend avoiding blinking or flashing content unless it falls under specific thresholds for frequency and area of coverage. Additionally, any flashing content should be accompanied by alternative explanations or descriptions for accessibility tools like screen readers.
How To Avoid
Rather than avoid, just don't use.
Consider using non-flashing alternatives to convey the same information or functionality.
- Use color change or animation instead of blinking.
- Highlight important information with hover effects.
- Use audio cues instead of visual flashes.
- Provide clear and concise textual descriptions of changes.
There is a tendency in web design to just do things because you can, always ask yourself if its is:
- relevant
- necessary
- instuctional
- purposeful
