Children commonly use computers in this day and age. Both at school and at home, kids can spend countless hours in front of a computer screen.
It seems harmless enough, but children can develop injuries if their computer workstation is not ergonomically sound.
Positioning At The Computer Bad posture can lead to more serious health problems down the road. Many children sit awkwardly at the computer, increasing their risk of hand, back, head and neck strain.
A child's upper and lower back should be well supported by a chair. This may mean a sturdy chair with a high back and possibly inserting a rolled-up towel or pillow to support the lower back.
The seat of a chair should not be tilted forward. A child's hips and thighs should be at approximately a 90-degree angle while seated. The thighs and knees should also be at approximately a 90-degree angle, and lastly the ankles and feet should be at approximately a 90-degree ankle. If a child's feet are dangling, a phonebook, a stool, or even a wooden block could be used under the child's feet to create support.
The best arrangement is for children to be seated in a position so that their eyes line up with the upper portion of the computer screen. Imagine that the computer screen is divided in half horizontally. If you were then to divide the upper section in half again, that's where a child's eyes should be aimed.
Arms And Wrists A child's wrists should not angled but held close to a neutral position when typing. A keyboard may need to have the front lifted to achieve this. The child's elbows should be at approximately a 90-degree angle. The keyboard may need to be moved. A keyboard could be place in a child's lap on top of a pillow.
The mouse can cause problems also if it is too far away and a child must strain his or her arm to reach it. The mouse could be moved to the middle of the work area, even in front of the keyboard.
Beat The Glare Since light reflected on a computer screen can cause a glare, it's best to place a computer perpendicular to a window. Draw the curtains or use an anti-glare screen if necessary.
A child should be reminded to take breaks from the computer to prevent eye and body strain. It is important for the child to take a break for 3-5 minutes every 20-30 minutes while working in front of the computer.
Just as parents teach their children to eat the right foods, they should be teaching their children good computer habits. Ergonomics are quite important for children, considering they will be using computers for their lifetime.
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