Technology Addiction

Computers, friend or foe? As college students we are constantly using computers, either to do homework, write papers, go on Facebook or watch Netflix. Now they are used not only by college students but everyone from the elderly to little kids. From when you are playing computer games as a 6 year old, to doing work for high school and college, to working in the outside world, laptops especially are always in use. When in biology lecture, our profession constantly tells us about the young peoples technology addiction. The idea that as a younger age group we cannot seen to function without our phones or computers, that connect us to others and the outside world.
They are not benefitial to our health, but instead have been shown to be harmful is used in correctly. Better Health Channel discusses medical problems that can arise from this overuse. Two large areas of concern are centered around video games and computers, that lead to several health problems. The first is overuse injuries especially in the hand. This is caused by constantly pressing the keys on a key board or contoller buttons. Many people also have a preferred hand, so if you use one more then the other then the injury would be worse in that hand. The second is obesity. This is caused by the fact that when using these two devices, the tendancy is to sit for several hours. The third are muscle and joint problems. Most of the problems occur in the back, neck and shoulders since when on computers many people slouch and are looking down, which puts constant strain on the muscles. The last is eyestrain. Eyestrain is caused by eyes having to focus at the same distance point for extended time intervals. Eyestrain itself has been known to lead to headache and blurry vision due to the eyes being fatigued. There are practices that can be used to avoid this health problems, so that computers can be used but in moderation.

Source:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Computer_games_health_issues?open