Technopathies In Childhood
We increasingly see younger children perfectly handling cell phones, tablets or remote controls. Perhaps we are no longer surprised to see them looking for videos or touching a small screen, but rather when we talk about technopathies in childhood. After all, what are they? In this article we will tell you everything about the topic.
What are childhood technopathies?
New words, new syndromes or new concepts are continually appearing to characterize today’s society. Many of the illnesses we suffer today are related to excessive use of technology, lack of exercise or unhealthy eating.
In this case, we will refer to childhood technopathies, a problem that may seem harmless, but which has short, medium and long-term consequences.
The rates of these “diseases” or pathologies are increasing and, although they have not yet been studied in detail, the truth is that no one can deny that they exist. Worst of all, they show up in children at very young ages.
What do we mean when we talk about childhood technopathies? Basically, that there are health problems generated by the continuous use of technological devices.
Believe it or not, children are the main users of cell phones, tablets and video games and victims of the consequences that this practice brings with it. Among the main technopathies, we can highlight:
1. Hearing problems due to using headphones or headphones
Stereo sets, headphones or headphones used continuously and at high volume can cause hearing problems, especially those models that are placed inside the ear canal.
The trend is to listen to music, videos or game audio louder and louder in order to overcome the ambient sound, which is quite noisy by itself. Many parents are consulting their pediatrician because their children do not hear well and this may be due to headphone use.
Also, we should keep in mind that these devices can cause tinnitus, a problem related to damage to the nerve structure of the ear canal.
2. Repetitive strain injuries
Do you believe that there are children of five or six years old with tendonitis in the wrist or with carpal tunnel syndrome? There are more cases than you think and it’s all due to spending hours holding the phone or pressing the screen during gameplay.
And what about tendonitis in the thumb and index finger that affects those who already send messages! These two fingers are the most used for writing on the smartphone and also the ones most affected by pain, stiffness and cramps or tingling.
3. Eye strain
Also known as visual stress, it is one of the childhood technopathies that most concerns physicians.
Spending hours looking at a screen (even small) causes eye strain, also accompanied by dryness, light sensitivity, tearing, redness, a feeling of heaviness when reading and, in more severe cases, headache and dizziness .
4. Insomnia
It is, without a doubt, one of the technopathies that we commonly relate to adolescence, but that can also appear earlier. Staying connected to the internet late at night puts the brain on alert and doesn’t allow us to sleep properly.
5. Muscle pain
Feeling pain in the back, neck and shoulders is common nowadays due to the use of technological devices. Poor posture for hours while watching a movie or a series, playing games or watching videos can lead to back bends, postural changes, contractures, and more.
6. Internet addiction
Internet addiction is one of the most worrisome childhood technopathies, because children don’t want to do anything but stay in their bedroom or living room with a screen in front of their eyes.
They want to have their cell phone at their side during dinner, on vacation, on a family trip (that is, when we are forced to leave home), at school… the dependency is so great that they sleep with their smartphone under their pillow and, if for some reason they move away from him for a few minutes, they feel they are naked.
What to do if my child has a technopathy? As a first step, reduce internet access and use of electronic devices. Look for outdoor alternatives for leisure time and don’t let them use their smartphone within 2 hours of going to bed.
If necessary, seek professional help as appropriate: a doctor, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, etc.
