Protect little bodies from the effects of digital dependency
If you’re reading this right now, chances are you’re demonstrating the problem we’re about to talk about: iPosture. In the name of work, we’ve all been bending our heads over keyboards for years, but now screen-time is entering our downtime like Sex and The City entered the nineties. That posture is set to get worse. Don’t be afraid of your doctor’s bill though – it’s the kids you ought to be worried about.
According to Osteopathy Australia, kids as young as three are now being treated for pain caused by overuse of electronic devices. Instead of looking up and out, kids are looking down, and for every two to three cm that their head is sitting forward of their shoulders, the weight of the head increases by 4.5kg. Upper back and neck muscles are getting a tough workout over prolonged periods of time.
So how do you know if your child is suffering from iPosture? Dr Leigh Sheldrick, A Melbourne-based chiropractor, has come up with a video and some easy steps to help you check:
1. Stand side on to your child
2. Ask your child to look straight ahead
3. Find the middle of the side of their shoulder.
4. In your mind’s eye draw a line running from the hole in their ear down to their shoulder.
5. This line should fall at the middle of the shoulder. If the line falls forward of the middle of the shoulder this indicates that your child’s posture is already showing signs of iPosture Syndrome.
iPosture and digital dependence can cause some knock-on effects too. Poor digestion, sleep issues, increased weight, reduced social skills and overall crankiness can all result from the sedentary slump the body goes into from prolonged screen-time. So, while modern technology has been clever enough to come up with these cool devices, modern health is heading backwards.
To avoid or counteract the effects of iPosture, follow Dr Sheldrick’s tips:
- Break up screen time in half hour chunks. After half an hour our lower back support muscles fatigue and allow us to slump.
- Encourage children to work at a desk with a chair; or better still – set up a standing station for them.
- Get kids actively involved in understanding the effects of poor posture on their health. Try the heavy head experiment with them.
- Laptops do not allow for good ergonomics. If your child has a laptop they should be using an external keyboard so that the height of the screen can be lifted to eyelevel eye level. Check out the The Rain Design m Stand at macshop Singapore
- If your child just can’t resist sitting on the sofa then Ikea sell a device called a BRADA laptop support.
- Do some simple neck stretches after using a digital device or even try some kids yoga. Om Shiva Yoga at Horse City offer a kids class on Saturday mornings while parents can practice in the adjoining room.
- Protect your children while they sleep with an Ollie Owl contoured pillow for children created by Dr Sheldrick. This clever piece of design supports the neck and head to maintain optimal spinal alignment while kids sleep.
Last but not least, you can always beat technology with technology: the iPosture is an electronic device that vibrates when it detects you slouching. Just over 1 inch in diameter, we’re not sure Samantha would have approved of its effectiveness but it might be worth a shot!