This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
Published on July 13, 2019, a study by researchers sounded the alarm on the health risks associated with prolonged screen time.
Spending hours hunched over electronic devices can take a toll on the spine, neck muscles, and shoulders, leading to conditions such as hunchbacks and abnormally curved spines.
Doctors are seeing an increase in cases of teenagers and children as young as seven with these conditions, often causing head, neck, shoulder, and back pain.
As we continue to rely on our digital gadgets, it's essential to acknowledge the potential health challenges that come with it.
A recent study found that 40% of the population aged 18-30 spends more than four hours a day hunched over their devices.
Another study in 2017 revealed that the average person in the UK spent 24 hours per week on their smartphones, equivalent to three-and-a-half hours per day.
Researchers have also discovered a growing number of people presenting with 'enlarged external occipital protuberances' – hornlike protrusions on the skull – at the base of their skull.
These conditions can be dire, with the neck muscles suspending a 5kg weight of the skull for four hours daily, leading to disfiguring one's posture.
It's time to take action and ensure the rewards of smart devices do not outweigh their risks.
Prevention methods include lifting your phone to eye-level while using it, moving your head from left to right several times, and regularly engaging in physical exercises.
