Electronic Device Usage & Spinal Health in Children

March 7, 2025

Our youngest generations are growing up with readily available access to electronic communication technology, especially mobile devices. They are quick learners and attentive participants when it comes to operating these devices and the content to explore is amazing. As a result, many children are leading quite sedentary lives on their devices, somewhat to the neglect of physical play and exercise.

This change in recent years has led to our chiropractors seeing an increasing number of young children and teens presenting with complaints such as headaches; upper back, shoulder and neck pain; soreness and tightness in joints, including those of the extremities. These are complaints that used to be associated with older individuals. Particularly those who reported high daily use of mobile devices and/or laptops held/placed in positions that led to prolonged neck flexion and a slouched spine.

Direct effects of prolonged and detrimental use of devices by children may include a loss of natural spinal curves, scoliosis, poor spinal and extremity joint function, muscular imbalances, nerve damage, gastrointestinal problems, eye strain, peripheral joint ligamentous sprains, lowered lung capacity.

Indirect effects from substituting physical play and exercise with sedentary activity may include poor muscle tone, poor posture, low immune function, obesity, mood and energy problems, and poor gross motor skill development.

There are a multitude of benefits in having access to and being able to utilise electronic communication devices, however it is important a balance is found between time spent in sedentary activity and physical exercise for such technological devices to be considered a true advantage or one of the biggest costs to the future health and wellbeing of the younger generations.

Some basic tips to minimise negative effects include:

• See one of our chiropractors for specific postural advice and regular spinal checks
• Limit time spent on device to 20 minute periods with 5 minute stretch/ walk breaks
• Ensure a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of outdoor activity or exercise daily
• Sit in a chair with bottom in back of seat and spine supported by seat back
• Keep feet flat on the floor and hips and knees at 90 degrees
• Elevate device so elbows are angled at 90 degrees
• If unable to elevate device, raise head (eyes to horizontal) at regular intervals
• Sit tall and Stand tall
• Perform ‘Straighten Up’ exercises daily. The App is a community service initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA)

 

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