Comments on: Is tech injuring children?

Prolonged exposure to technology use by kids has many expecting a rash of new repetitive stress injuries.

[Christopher Hall]

It actually affects the parents

It's called "Chicken Little Syndrome" and it's to blame for various afflictions of the past including, but not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome, "Nintendo thumb", rock music causing pregnancy, and certain auto-erotic acts leading to blindness.

Will no one ever learn?

[leeps]

Denial

I'd say you're in a state of denial if you don't pay attention to possible warning signs. It's a step in the right direction to start to look at the possibility of a link between RSI and the new technology to which children are exposed. Parents should be aware of the possible effects of continuous exposure to technology without breaks of physical exercise, etc.--note the word "possible." The article's author clearly shows some skepticism about the claims made but keeps an open mind about possible links. Everything in moderation, but c'mon, it's really not on the same level as the other concerns to which you were referring. Yes, I am touting responsibility over unfounded criticism.

[corelogik]

Of Course they won't

It's much easier to blame someone else and then try to collect on
the lottery that flows from the lawsuit.

If parents would actually do their jobs and teach their kids,... this
would be a non-issue,... oh well, god bless america!

[noybypos]

Bad Science

"they could be the physical adaptation of two game fanatics" -- wrong.

Individuals are not capable of "adaptation" to their environment. Individuals are only capable of acclimation.

[georgegliddy]

"fair well"?

Come on... basic English! It is "fare well."

At least it's not as bad as the great number of unwashed morons that use "loose" instead of "lose." That's just one of many examples of social promotion in schools - nobody should graduate even elementary school without knowing how to spell the most basic English words.

[byl01]

We get what we are willing to accept

Open any newspaper and you will see "it's" instead of "its" or "hoards" instead of "hordes" (or vice versa) in articles written by college graduates. It has nothing to do with social promotion - if this language is acceptable, why waste time learning grammar? The situation would change if, for some reason, people stopped buying newspapers and books written by semi-literate authors. Now, if only I could come up with a good reason...

[TechMom236]

A little break never hurt anyone!

And I do mean a little break---2-3 minutes of standing up,
stretching, and looking out a window does more than rest the
muscles, it clears the mind and allows students to get a fresh
start.

For over 7 years now, I have been teaching elementary and
middle students to use computers. During longer classes or
after a typing lesson, we take a short break and do a variety of
upper body and vision exercises. I encourage them to do the
same at home when they are playing video games, watching tv,
or reading.

Once they have had their "ergo break", they are ready to get
back to working on their spreadsheet or slideshow.

[msngurl05]

backache from computers

Am looking for some hints how to avoid getting tired from a new job at the computer. Help!

[bwills2000]

Ergonomics

Make sure that the monitor is in your line of sight and that the keyboard is roughly where your hands sit naturally. Get an adjustable chair so you can move up or down to accomplish this.

Go to an office supply store that sells furniture and ask them about ergonomics.

[sagivh]

insane

why would a parent give his kids 2 playstations 3 computers an xbox and a nintendo?
is this parent insane?
I think this parent is hypocrite, he should look at what he himself done before blaming technology!!!!

[ajbright]

Soft Kids

I say kick them out the house at 5yr old, and get them back into the work place.

With living room and bedroom fireplaces all the rage their should be an explosion of jobs in the chimney sweeping industry, and small kids are just the right size to send down the chimney.

Also under the government's energy plan coal mining is also going through a bit of a revival, plenty of work there for the lazy gits too.

Don't forget that a good switching goes a long way to improving a kid's attitude about decent hard work, along with holding their meals back for a day or two should get them in the spirit right and proper.

[Snoopy]

Actively Proactive

A child being an avid gamer is old news, believe it or not. I was one myself. I am still an avid gamer, though my childhood days have passed. I have survived many years of use of systems such as the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and PC (not just for gaming), without a back injury or arthritis.

It's a matter of what position the user is in when using their system, be it console, handheld, PC or Mac. If you are going to leave the responsibility in the hands of the children, the probability is that their posture will continue to deteriorate. If parents start to monitor the way their kids are sitting/standing/lying down they will be able to prevent the kind of injuries that come from improper positioning.

Personally, I'm constantly changing my sitting or lying positions when I play games (every 10 minutes or so), although when the Nintendo Wii comes out, I'll probably be finding myself moving even more often. When on the computer, I sit straight up or lie back in my seat.

As far as the kids' thumbs, it's probably genetic. I don't know any gamers who can bend their thumbs back that far, or even come close.

[michaelroark]

Another 30-something gamer without crooked thumbs

I spend more time at a computer on some days than most people are awake. I'm one of those people that work 50-70 hours a week frequently and most of that time is on a computer. When I come home and relax, it's by playing XBOX, either online or with my daughters. I remember playing my Atari 2600 until my thumbs were sore, or my hands got tired from the paddles. I NEVER crack my knuckles, never bend my thumbs back to their wrists, and rarely get headaches (I am married, so yes occasionally I do get headaches).
Some of the physical characteristics mentioned in the article come from the lack of physical activity, improper nutrition, and mental staleness. Obesity is rampant and exercise is unheard of in many families.
The solution to the problem is to look back to the time when these problems weren't as widespread. Parents need to feed their children properly, and to exercise with them. (Yes parents, you need to get off of the couch just the same) and many of the problems our children are having these days will be reduced.
This holds true for those TV/movie addicted children also. Slouching on a couch is just as bad as slouching on a computer chair, just more comfortable.