Introduction
Smartphone addiction is not limited to adults; it can also impact children. The prevalence of smartphone use in children ages eight to thirteen has risen sharply since 2011, from 60 to 81 percent. Doctors are concerned about the impact of smartphone addiction. In addition, researchers examined how smartphone addiction affects posture and cervical range of motion in children.
What Is Smartphone Addiction?
Smartphone addiction occurs when people use their phones compulsively to the point that it negatively impacts their lives. One of the symptoms of smartphone addiction is neck pain. A recent study explored how neck pain can happen and examined the cervical range of motion (ROM) between addicted and non-addicted boys and girls 8 to 13 years of age. The research found that those addicted to smartphones have more forward head postures than those who are not. This can cause the muscles in their back to become tighter and stress their joints. As a result, they may have limited ROM in their neck due to the shortening of some muscle tissues. In contrast, children who do not use smartphones as much tend to experience less forward head posture because they do not typically spend so much time looking down at screens.
What Are the Harmful Effects of Smartphones on the Child’s Development?
There is no denying that a mobile phone is a valuable tool. It facilitates communication with coworkers, friends, and family. However, every technology that provides such benefits has its drawbacks. Mobile phones have a massive impact on youth and society. Here is how teenagers are affected by cell phones.
1. Teen Tendonitis (TTT):
Teen tendonitis occurs due to excessive messaging. It causes pain in the hand, neck, and back region due to poor posture; excessive use can lead to musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis and carpometacarpal arthritis (inflammation of the joint) in the forearm and thumb.
2. Stress:
Having a cell phone will tempt children to spend the entire day talking or texting instead of doing something productive. Teens who spend too much time on their phones are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression. According to research, excessive smartphone use may increase the risk of mental health problems.
3. Sleep Loss:
Most children keep their phones close while sleeping to respond to texts and calls and be reachable around the clock. However, this may cause sleep disruption and interruption. In addition, teenagers who use cell phones after the lights go out are more tired.
4. Accidents:
Teenagers frequently answer phones and text messages while driving, which is dangerous. Using a cell phone while driving should be strictly prohibited, as teen drivers are more likely to be distracted than drivers of any other age.
5. Anxiety:
The variety of video games and other applications available for children heightens anxiety. In addition, due to their constant usage of smartphones, teenagers suffer from headaches and migraines, which contribute to anxiety and depression.
6. Isolation:
Isolation results from poor academic performance. Students prefer to isolate themselves from friends and family by immersing themselves in their mobile phones. However, it can harm their mental health.
7. Cyberbullying:
Teenagers lack the maturity and the presence of mind to deal with cyberbullying or cybercrime.
According to a survey, cyberbullying makes teenagers sad and unmotivated to go to school. This study also discovered that cyberbullied children have a higher risk of psychosomatic problems, such as frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression.
According to a study conducted on 13 to 18-year-olds, 15 percent of children had been cyberbullied online, 10 percent had been cyberbullied by cell phone, and five percent had cyberbullied another person through a cell phone.
8. Poor Posture:
Staring at phone screens with their heads bent and shoulders drooped all day leads to poor posture, neck aches, headache, backache, and tendonitis.
9. Vision Problems:
Constantly staring at mobile phones impacts vision and eye health. The eyes become dry, and the vision becomes blurry. Children's eyesight is affected. A study of 30 medical students found 83 % had cell phone vision syndrome. Stress, redness, a burning sensation, blurred vision, and dry eyes are among the symptoms.
10. Obesity:
Teenager obesity may be caused by constant cell phone use. Teens who spend more hours per day on cell phones are more likely to become obese; according to the study, teens who spend more than five hours a day in front of screens are 43 percent more likely to get less sleep or exercise, which leads to obesity.
How Does Smartphone Ruin the Posture?
A recent study found that children who spent more than two hours playing video games had a much more pronounced kyphosis (excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the neck) compared to those who only spent one hour every day. In addition to the poor posture, they also had a less cervical range of motion. The study compared the cervical range of motion (ROM) between addicted and non-addicted boys and girls 8 to 13. Those who were addicted to smartphones had a narrower range of motion than those who were not as addicted to their smartphone. And again, this was for both genders. So not only does addiction affect posture, but it also affects the spine's ability to move in all directions freely without restriction.
What Are the Consequences of Poor Posture?
Poor posture can lead to several health complications, including neck pain, back pain, joint pain, and headaches. It may also result in impaired breathing and circulation. In addition, poor posture can lead to muscle spasms or cramps in the back. It may be caused by slouching or sitting with poor posture for extended periods. Slouching can also cause headaches because it strains the muscles on the front of the neck and interferes with blood flow. Neck pain that results from poor posture often makes it difficult to chew correctly.
How to Fix Smartphone Addiction?
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Changing habits that have become ingrained over time is difficult, but one can do it with a little focus and dedication. Here are some tips for parents:
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Set up parental controls on children's smartphones so they only spend a little time on them.
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Limit the number of social media sites that the child has access to.
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Create a family plan for cell phone usage and stick to it as a family. Remember that children need downtime from smartphones just like adults do. So turn off their phones when they go out for dinner, or at least make them wait until after dessert to check their email or Instagram feed.
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Turn off phone notifications so they feel included when they come in.
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Put the phone on silent during sleep, so it does not wake up with a notification before bedtime.
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Try to avoid checking the phone during meals.
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Find an app that blocks all social media for set periods, such as self-control or cold Turkey (for iOS).
Conclusion
The study found that the more often a child used their smartphone, the worse their posture was. And this applies to both girls and boys. Researchers found that addicted children had a lower cervical range of motion than non-addicted children. These children who use their smartphones for hours every day are at risk for neck pain and possible injury. The good news is that it is never too late to break the addiction.
