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Keep Kids Computer-healthy from head to toe
Focus on the Eyes
DOES THE CHILD HAVE...? PRINCIPLES OF PREVENTION TRY THIS!
  • Headaches
  • Blurry Vision/difficulty focusing
  • Sore or Tired eyes
  • Watery or dry eyes
  • Red/itchy eyes
    		• Be sure that kids get regular eye exams. Children with these symptoms may be suffering from computer vision syndrome (CVS) and need special computer glasses. Ask the doctor about the FDA-released PRIO test used to measure focusing at the computer.

    Work with children to adjust the monitor's contrast and brightness so that it is comfortable for their eyes.

    Remind youngsters to blink frequently. This will keep their eyes moist.

    Encourage kids to take vision breaks at least every 15 minutes. Have them look into the distance and/or close their eyes for a few seconds.

    		 Set an alarm for every 15 minutes to remind kids to stretch their eyes and bodies (and check that they do).
    Have kids move their eyes around an imaginary square box. They can also "trace" the furniture with their eyes.
    Don't Risk Your Wrists and Hands
    DOES THE CHILD HAVE...? PRINCIPLES OF PREVENTION TRY THIS!
  • Tingling or numb hands
  • Finger pain
  • Wrist pain
  • Burning feeling in fingers
  • Difficulty gripping objects
    		• Children should keep their wrists straight while typing or using a mouse. Bending their wrists may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when there is pressure on the large nerve in the wrist.

    Be sure that kids strike the keys lightly, instead of banging on them.

    Place a wrist rest or a small rolled towel at the base of the keyboard so that kids can rest their wrists when they are not typing.

    		Have kids make fists with both hands and hold for five seconds. Then have them spread their fingers apart and hold for five seconds. Relax and repeat several times.
    Don't Wreck Your Neck and Back
    DOES THE CHILD HAVE...? PRINCIPLES OF PREVENTION TRY THIS!
  • Lower back or hip pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Headache at the back of the head or neck
    		• Most chairs are contoured to fit adults. To mold them for children, have kids adjust their chair or add pillows to support their lower backs.

    Encourage kids to sit up straight. Leaning forward or slouching can cause back pain.

    Be sure children place keyboards directly in front of their monitors. Twisting to see the screen can cause strain on their necks and backs.

    Ask kids to adjust monitor heights so that the top of the screen is at their eye level. Kids may develop neck pain if screens are too high or too low.

    		Back: Stretch arms over head.
    Neck: Look back over right shoulder, hold for ten seconds; repeat on other side. Put ear to shoulder, hold ten seconds, and repeat on other side.
    Shoulders: Rotate shoulders backward many times, then forward.
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