Computers: Health Concerns for Parents and Teachers

1
Computers Health Concerns for Parents and
Teachers
2
What are the health concerns related to using
computers and computer equipment?

• Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
• Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
• This is becoming a concern for children because
  of their frequent use of computers and video
  games

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CVS What is it?

• Computer vision syndrome
• Eye strain
• Blurriness
• Redness
• Dry eyes
• Headaches
• Double vision
• Neck and back pain
• Muscle spasms
• Sensitivity to light

4
CVS How is it caused?

• Spending longer than two hours a day using the
  computer or video games consecutively with no
  breaks taken
• Improper classroom conditions
• Poor lighting Too bright
• Poor computer monitor placement
• Poor posture
• Childrens vision skills are not yet fully
  developed and more susceptible to these conditions

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How can you prevent CVS?

• Take frequent breaks 20-20-20
• Every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away
  for 20 seconds
• Try to blink more frequently
• Adjust lighting Use ambient light to reduce
  glare
• Adjust computer screen to 20-24 inches away from
  you about 20 degrees below eye level

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How do you prevent CVS?

• Monitors should be 90 degrees to windows to
  reduce glare
• Keep the screen clean! Utilize anti-glare filter
• Discuss with school nurse computer-related health
  issues
• Larger font sizes

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RSI What is it?

• Repetitive stress injuries
• Carpal-tunnel syndrome
• Cervical radiculopathy (disk compression and back
  pain)
• Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Ganglion cyst (lump or swelling on wrist)

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RSI What is it?

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (dry painful hands
  and loss of muscle coordination)
• Tendonitis (inflammation of tendons)
• Tingling and numbness
• PAIN!!!

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RSI How is it caused ?

• Placing too much stress on a joint
• Repetitive cradling of a phone on the shoulder
• Repeated key strokes and mouse clutching
• Placement of keyboard, monitor, mouse, body,
  feet, wrists, desk, chair
• Improper equipment old and not ergonomically
  correct

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How can RSI be prevented?

• Monitor position lower and further away
• Sit up straight in chair with no slouching,
  wrists straight and in line with hands (not at
  angle)
• Touch lightly on keyboard
• Move keyboard closer to you
• 90 degree angle between wrists, elbows, and the
  upper part of the arms

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How can RSI be prevented?

• Take frequent 5-minute breaks to stretch every 30
  minutes
• Use ergonomically correct chairs with lumbar
  support, desks, keyboards, and mouse pads
• Use an adjustable workstation to accommodate all
  users
• Teacher should set a good example for students
• See your doctor for these issues to prevent them
  from worsening

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Keyboard Hand Positioning
INCORRECT
CORRECT
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Proper Posture
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Example of Computer Lab that was not designed
with these problems in mind
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What are the politics involved?

• Schools often spend the money on the
  technology software and hardware, instead of on
  the proper ergonomics, lighting and equipment

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Resources Used

• 1) Indicator Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues.
  Retrieved August 27, 2006, from enGauge North
  Central Regional Educational Library
• Web site http//www.ncrel.org/engauge/framewk/pr
  o/issues/proiss.htm
• 2) Anshel, J. Kids and Computers The Eyes and
  Visual System. Retrieved August 27, 2006, from
  Corporate Visual Consulting
• Web site http//www.cvconsulting.com/articles6.s
  html
• 3) Wiseley, L. Saving Your Kid from Cyber
  Squint. Retrieved August 27, 2006, from
  FamilyFun
• Web site http//familyfun.go.com/parenting/child
  /health/feature/dony119hl_compvis/dony119hl_compvi
  s.html
• 4) (2004). Computer Vision Syndrome. Retrieved
  August 27, 2006, from The Wellness Site
• Web site http//www.aarogya.com/Conditions/compu
  ter/vision.asp
• 5) (2004). Computer Eyestrain. Retrieved
  August 27, 2006, from The Wellness Site
• Web site http//www.aarogya.com/Conditions/compu
  ter/strain.asp

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Resources Used

• 6) Pierson, K. (1995). Computer-Related
  Repetitive Stress Injuries. Retrieved August 27,
  2006, from KidsHealth for Parents
• Web site http//kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_s
  afe/home/ergonomics.html
• 7) Marxhausen, R. (2005). Computer Related
  Repetitive Strain Injury . Retrieved August 27,
  2006, from RSI Page
• Web site http//eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html
• 8) (2004). Stretching Take a stretch break!
  Retrieved August 27, 2006, from The Wellness Site
• Web site http//www.aarogya.com/Conditions/compu
  ter/stretch.asp
• 9) Jacobs, K. Everything You Should Know About
  Ergonomics and Youths, But Were Afraid to Ask.
  Retrieved from The American Occupational Therapy
  Association, Inc.
• Web site http//www.aota.org/nonmembers/area1/li
  nks/link240.asp