Computers Use and Children:
Ergonomic Principles for Children
- ASSESS YOUR CHILD’S COMPUTER USE AND WORKSTATION
If your child has been using your computer for entertainment or educational
purposes, chances are that he/she has already spent too many hours in the wrong
position. Assess your child's present condition, and use this information to
make the needed changes in your computer station. Ask your child if he or she
ever feels really achy or sore after using the computer. Muscular aches may
indicate a bad monitor angle, or a chair set at an improper height for a child.
It may also indicate a lack of sufficient break time. No one should use a
computer for long periods of time without stretching or taking a walk. Children
are especially prone to spending too much time in front of a computer when
playing their favorite games. Does your child complain of headaches, or show
signs of eyestrain? These symptoms could indicate an excessive glare situation,
or the beginnings of a general vision problem which is aggravated by the use of
a computer. Has your child shown symptoms of sore wrists or complained of
numbness in the arms? They may be showing the first signs of a repetitive motion
disorder, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. The first step in any
ergonomic change is assessment of the current problem(s). Knowing what is
bothering your child should help you select the right course of action.
- ADJUST YOUR CHILD’S WORKSTATION
Once you've gotten a clear picture of what your child may need for proper
computer usage, make the adjustments yourself or demonstrate them to your child.
If a child complains of neck or back strain, the angle and height of the monitor
may be to blame. A properly adjusted monitor should be at or slightly below the
eye level of the user. You can usually adjust the monitor at its base- swivel
the monitor up or down to match your child's eye level. If you have an
adjustable chair, raise it sufficiently to create the proper angle. Demonstrate
the right way to adjust your chair; remind your child that the chair is not a
toy. If the chair cannot be adjusted, then add cushions to raise the child's eye
level. Once you've adjusted the monitor, move on to the other pieces of
equipment. Can the child reach the mouse from where he is seated. Is the
keyboard accessible without strain? It may seem inconvenient to make these
temporary adjustments, but your child's overall health should improve. If you
notice excessive glare on the monitor, invest in a glare-removing screen cover.
Adjust the brightness level of the monitor to match the available light in the
room- no extreme brightness or dimness.
- ACCOMMODATE YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS
If your child already shows signs of computer-related conditions, try to
accommodate their needs to prevent future aggravation. Tired wrists may be eased
with the used of ergonomically-designed keyboard and mousepad rests. The
keyboard rest should fit comfortably under the bottom of the keypad and will
keep the wrists from forming an extreme angle to the keyboard. A mousepad wrist
rest should provide a raised area at the bottom of the pad that will keep the
wrist at a more comfortable angle. Some children may respond better to the newer
keyboard designs that implement ergonomic thinking. These keyboards divide the
keyboard in two, and raise each side to an angle more conducive to long typing
sessions. The hands are held at natural angles while typing, not at the more
severe angles of a traditional computer keyboard. If your child shows signs of
eyestrain or headaches induced by computer sessions, you may want to have a
professional eye exam performed. There could be a condition that is being
aggravated by the monitor or the size of the text on the screen. If your child
needs special glasses or eye drops, make them available. Never allow a vision
problem to continue unchecked. You can also show a child how to increase the
size of text on a computer, so they will not be straining to read small print.
Finally, you may have to set some guidelines concerning computer usage, to
keep healthy children from developing computer-related illnesses, and children
who are already affected from making their conditions worse. Remember that if
you take the time to make the necessary ergonomic adjustments for your child now
, then he or she should be able to enjoy the benefits of the home computer every
bit as much as an adult and these habits will remain with your child for a
lifetime.
For more information contact:
The Occupational Therapy Division
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
pgentile@jhmc.org
We subscribe to the
HONcode
principles