‘HIGH-TECH TOYS’ GIVING ADULT INJURIES TO KIDS

 Children as young as eight are suffering adult injuries such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and neck pains from using hand-held electronic devices, experts say. According to chiropractors, children using 'tech toys' such as touchphones and tablets and hand-held games are complaining of repetitive strain injuries of the thumbs, wrist and elbows, stiff necks, headaches and sore shoulders, which are injuries usually associated with adults working with computers. Chiropractors Association spokesman Dr Kerein Earney said children were risking permanent damage because of excessive game play. Dr Earney said she saw an eight-year-old with an opposite neck curve from playing hand-held games. She also saw a 15-year-old boy who spent the whole school holidays watching TV and playing computer games in his room and began experiencing muscle aches and migraines. "When children play these games, or use these tech toys, they are often slouched in a chair, head down and they're putting a lot of pressure on their head," the Herald Sun quoted Dr Earney as saying. "They're like that for quite significant periods of time. It's only going to get worse unless they do something about it. It will end up being costly and will lead to long-term health problems," she added. IANS

TECH TALK: Children are suffering from repetitive strain injuries and neck pains from using hand-held electronic devices