Does your child complain of neck pain?

They may have what’s known as “text neck”, a term to describe excessive strain on the neck from looking down at any handheld mobile device. With the average child spending anywhere from 6 – 9 hours a day on electronic devices, chances are their neck is over flexing 20-45 degrees. Although adults are guilty of this too, children are at a greater risk for long-term damage as their bodies are still growing.  Read more to find out tips on how to help your child obtain better posture and avoid chronic neck issues.​

A child’s head is proportionately large for the size and strength of their neck. Flexing downward to look at a screen makes the head heavier which eventually causes the neck to bend the wrong way. Not only does this strain the neck muscles but it can also cause structural changes at the bony and ligamentous levels putting them at risk for chronic neck instability and pain.

​Headaches, numbness and tingling of the arms, vision disturbances, dizziness, localized neck and shoulder pain, and nerve injuries are all results of this type of neck problem. Here are some great tips on helping your kids obtain better posture when using electronic devices:

Tip #1: Use a desktop. Desktops are better than laptops in that sitting at a desk can help maintain posture. Be sure their elbows, hips, and knees are bent at a 90-degree angle and their feet are not dangling. Place monitors directly in front of them at eye level and about an arm’s length away.

Tip #2: Get a lap desk. If your child uses a laptop or tablet, try using a lap desk or simply place a pillow on their lap and under their elbows to help raise the screen to eye level.

Tip #3: Keep phones at eye level. Instead of lowering the head to look at the screen, bring the screen up to meet the eye. Crossing one arm over the body and propping the other arm holding the phone on top brings the screen much higher. It may look as though they are taking pictures of everyone, but that’s okay!

Teaching your kids good habits now will help improve their postural health and avoid injuries in the years to come. Instruct them to sit up straight, stand tall, and encourage them to spend no more than 1-2 hours each day on devices.