Computer Workstations
Keeping Play Safe

  Computers aren't just for adults anymore. Based on recent research, the present rate of computer usage by kids will mean that more than two years of their lifetime will be spent sending e-mails, and more than 23 years surfing the Internet (lb)MyPrimeTime Home; 2000(rb). Even as computers become more portable in the forms of laptops and personal digital assistants (PDA), the most common interface for a child in the home continues to be a desktop monitor, keyboard and hard drive. A recently published survey from the Employment Policy Foundation indicated that 51 percent (approximately 54.5 million) US households will have a computer (lb)NUA Internet Surveys; Jan 2001(rb)

As the director of Cornell University's Human Factors and Ergonomics research and training programs, Alan Hedge has extended his more than a decade of research in adult office ergonomic injuries into their possible effects on a child's anatomy. Typical computer-based injuries include headaches, back strains, eyestrains, neck discomfort, shoulder soreness, poor posture, wrist pain and general fatigue. Morse serious injuries include repetitive stress disorder and near sightedness. "Now that we're beginning to computerize schools, staring to introduce computers into the homes, and requiring students to do more work on computers, we're beginning to see the potential for the same kinds of injuries occurring in a younger population," says Hedge. (lb)CNN Science and Technology; 1997(rb)

Let's break down the risks from the ground up.

  A child's position in a chair when using the computer can impact leg, seat and back comfort, so adjustability is key. Providing a footrest, either on the chair or from the floor, supports the child's legs, enabling proper blood circulation. In order to evenly distribute the sitting weight better, the seat pan should angle slightly up toward the seat back. Just like standing, the upper and lower back supports the body's weight when sitting in a still position. A computer chair should provide a padded brace for the lower spine, allowing the child to sit erect comfortably. Similar to front seats in automobiles, computer use with proper lumbar support and footrests is less taxing on the user's back, even for these little "drivers".

Adjustability of the chair height, back support and seat is critical in preventing back, leg and shoulder strains, but also minimizing wrist, elbow, and shoulder discomfort. Arms should be bent at 90-degree angles (shaped like an "L"), causing the least amount of strain on the muscles. To avoid a leaning reach to the keyboard and mouse, the chair seat and position in relation to the desk should be set at the start of the computer session. Keeping computer interfaces such a joysticks, mouse pads, or trackballs in close approximation to the keyboard and the edge of the desk will also prevent "reaching" strains.

Neck soreness and eyestrains come from a variety of sources. The computer screen should be at or just below eye level. If computer use forces the child to continually look up or down, the neck muscles will strain from the weight of the head. Rest breaks should also be encouraged – looking away from the screen to relax the eyes, turning the head left and right to stretch the neck muscles. Although adjustment of the chair height has a positive impact on computer user's neck comfort, a child's behavior adjustment will definitely help these upper muscle groups. Look for more information on eyestrains and how to help prevent them in a future article fro Toy Tips.

What to Do:

Planning and maintenance are the keys to the child computer use comfort. Examine the computer area currently in your home before you introduce the child into the environment. Ask yourself (1) is the chair height, seat, and back easily adjustable to fit the needs of my child? (2) will they require a footrest? (3) is the monitor, keyboard, mouse and joystick the right size and within the child's reach? Young computer users should have their work area designed to reflect their changing body dimensions and individual needs. Maintenance is required by the parents to ensure initial set-up (chair height, viewing angle, and arm position), proper posture, and rest breaks with every computer use.

Gary Minsky, a San Francisco-based ergonomics specialist, echoes Hedge's concerns and says that an increased awareness of potential health problems is needed at home, where children spend most time online. Minsky suggests that kids "get into the proper habits right from the beginning, so when they go to the real world they know what a proper workstation looks like, for their own health and safety." (lb)MyPrimeTime Home; 2000(rb)