Children and computers – Guidelines for ‘wise use’ are on the way

For most Australian children, computers are a part of life: not just for school work, but for games, emails and on-line chats with friends. However, with the benefits come some risks. Physiotherapists are concerned about the potential musculoskeletal disorders and other harmful effects that long hours at a computer can cause.

Not only are children’s bodies still developing, but they use computers differently from adults. Whereas adults tend  to sit at desks, children are more flexible and will often lie on the floor to use their Laptops, or kneel to use them propped up on the bed. And there are other differences - ergonomic chairs are a rarity in schools, for instance, as are individually adjustable computer workstations.

There are no comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines relating to computer use by children and young people. Guidelines for adults, first developed over twenty years ago, are now largely outdated and not very relevant to children.

Now a physiotherapy-led multidisciplinary team is to develop a set of evidence-based guidelines for the wise use of computers by children. They will be designed to meet the needs of different groups including health professionals, education authorities, parents and children.

Questions being considered include:
•    How long should children use a computer at each sitting and each day?
•    How much support should a seat provide?
•    At what height should a screen be positioned?
•    At what height and angle should a keyboard be positioned?
•    Should the forearms be supported?

Broader issues include the need to ensure that children get an optimum level of physical activity in their daily lives, to keep them fit and healthy.

The team is currently completing a series of laboratory studies on the effects of computer workstation design on the posture and muscle activity of young people using computers. Development of the guidelines, which is being funded  by a National Health and Medical Research Council project grant, was highlighted at a major international ergonomics conference, CybErg 2005. lt’s hoped the Guidelines will be available by end of 2006.

Researchers: Assoc. Professor Leon Straker,  Professor C Pollock, Assoc. Professor R Burgess-Limerick

Further Fnformation: Leon Straker: L.Straker@curtineduau

References:
Straker L, Pollock C and Burgess-Limerick R (2005): Towards evidence based guidelines for health and wise use of computers by children. Paper presented at the CybErg 2005: The Fourth International Cyberspace Conference on Ergonomics, Johannesburg. http://cyberg.wits.ac.za/cb2005/

Straker Land Pollock C (2005): Optomising the interaction of children with information and communication technologies. Ergonomics 48: 506—521.