One Size Still Doesn’t Fit All: Kids and Computer Use

With computer use virtually universal among Canadian children, the Canadian Safety Council (CSC) is encouraging parents to focus on ergonomics for kids.

A 2005 survey from the CSC reports that 94 percent of children from grades 4 to 11 go online from home. Indeed, 20 percent of Grade 4 students have their own personal computer; this climbs to 51 percent in Grade 11.

Are children at risk?
It is not rare for children to play computer games or surf the Net for hours at a time with hardly a break. Young children crane their necks to view monitors perched on old-style computers. “One size fits all” placement of equipment forces children’s elbows and wrists into awkward angles. Such practices would not be tolerated in a workplace setting.

Injuries to the spine and soft tissue are harder to track than traumatic injuries such as broken bones. This may explain in part why statistics on RSIs in children are generally lacking. Nor is there much research on injuries and conditions specifically caused by improper computer use. (Certain sports, or even playing a musical instrument, may also lead to RSIs.) Nonetheless, evidence is emerging that children are not immune to the physical problems that can result from improper use of computer equipment.

Anecdotally, doctors and physiotherapists are seeing more school age children with pain symptomatic of prolonged computer use at workstations that do not fit. The seriousness of computer-related injuries in adults raises serious questions about their effects on children.

The Basics
More study is needed on how children physically interact with computers and the effects of that interaction. Hardware and software are evolving, along with the ways people use them. For now, the Canadian Safety Council recommends applying what is known about adult ergonomics to children.

For a conventional workstation, start with proper placement of the equipment, and furniture that promotes good posture and proper hand position:
• The keyboard and mouse should be directly under the fingers when elbows are bent to about 90 degrees with upper arms relaxed. Make sure the child’s wrists stay straight when keying or mousing, and do not bend up, down or to the side; this helps prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. The mouse should be right next to the keyboard so it’s easy to reach. For small hands, invest in a kid-sized mouse and keyboard.

• Children should not need to bend their neck back to look at the screen. Align the top of the monitor screen with the child’s forehead so it is below eye level, directly in front, not off to the side. To minimize strain on the eyes make sure children sit about an arm’s length from the screen. Make sure the screen is free from glare, and adjust the brightness and text size for comfort.

If the workstation serves users of different sizes, an adjustable keyboard tray and pneumatic chair can help assure comfort for all. If, on the other hand, workstation furniture is not adjustable, choose a chair that places the child at the proper height in relation to the equipment. If that means a higher chair, provide a footrest to support the feet and a pillow to support the back.

Active breaks and frequent changes of position increase circulation and let the eyes relax. Parents must insist that children who use the computer for an hour or more at a time should move around often and get up every half-hour or so. They should also arrange for regular eye examinations, and encourage recreational exercise to counterbalance all the sitting.

Source: The Canadian Safety Council www.safety-council.org