Technological Diseases In Children: What Do You Need To Know?

Children are learning at an increasingly younger age to master the use of smartphones, tablets and remote controls. You may already be used to seeing them play video games, but unfortunately this can lead to so-called technological illnesses.

What exactly are technological diseases? Read this article to find out everything.

What are technological diseases?

There seems to be a constant proliferation of new concepts, new syndromes and new concepts appearing in modern society. Many of the ailments we suffer from today are related to the use of technology, lack of exercise and poor nutrition.

Today we focus on technological diseases in children. This problem may seem harmless, but it has short, medium and long term consequences.

These ‘diseases’ or conditions are becoming more common. Although they have not yet been studied in detail, their existence cannot be denied. Worst of all, they affect our children from an early age.

What do we mean by technological diseases? This is simply a term that refers to health problems caused by the constant use of technological devices.

While it may be hard to believe, children are the biggest users of smartphones, tablets and game consoles and suffer the consequences associated with them.

Some of the major technological diseases are:

1. Hearing problems due to use of headphones

If constantly loud music is played through headphones and earphones, this can cause hearing problems. This is especially the case with the earpieces that you place in the ear canal.

Listening to music, videos and game sound at an increasingly loud volume to muffle the ambient noise is currently a trend. Many parents take their child to the pediatrician because of poor hearing. The reason for this is often the use of earphones.

In addition, we must keep in mind that these devices can cause tinnitus, a condition caused by nerve damage in the ear.

2. Repetitive Movement Injuries

It’s hard to believe, but there are even 5-year-old children with tendonitis in their wrist or carpal tunnel syndrome. There are more cases of this than you think and they are mainly due to holding a smartphone for hours and pressing the screen while playing video games.

Another problem is tendinitis in the thumbs due to typing messages. These fingers are the most commonly used for typing on smartphones and cause the most pain, stiffness, cramping and tingling.

3. Tired eyes is also one of the technological diseases

This is also known as visual stress. Doctors consider this one of the most worrisome technological diseases in children. Staring at a small screen for countless hours can lead to eye strain.

Other symptoms include:

• dryness
• light sensitivity
• watery eyes
• redness
• pain while reading
• headache
• nausea

4. Insomnia

This is a technological disease that we often associate with adults, but it can also occur at a younger age. When you look at a screen at night, the brain goes into alarm mode, so you can’t sleep.

The screen has blue light that disrupts the levels of the hormone melatonin (which induces sleep) and the regularity of the cycles of wakefulness and rest.

5. Muscle Pain

Pain in the back, neck and shoulders is a common consequence of the use of technological devices. Adopting bad posture while watching a movie or series, playing games and watching videos can cause a curvature in the spine, change in posture, cramping and more.

6. An internet addiction, one of the technological diseases

Internet addiction is one of the most worrisome technological diseases. With an internet addiction, children want nothing more than to stare at a screen in their room.

They have their cell phone next to them at dinner, on vacation, on family outings (if we get them at all), at school… the addiction is so strong that they sleep with their cell phone under their pillow. If for some reason they have to go without their cellphone for a few minutes, they feel like they are missing out on something important.

What should you do if your child has a technological illness?

• First, limit their access to the internet and their devices.
• In addition, plan outdoor activities as an alternative
• Have them stop using their cellphones two hours before going to sleep.

Seek professional help when needed, such as a doctor, psychologist, or physiotherapist.