15 Mar 🥴Is your child gaming on their handheld devices for hours at a time 😳Have you noticed that your child’s is hunched in thier posture while gaming

Gaming on handheld devices has become a significant part of children’s lives, offering both opportunities for entertainment and challenges for parents and caregivers. These devices, including smartphones, tablets, and dedicated handheld gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, provide a wide range of games that can appeal to children of various ages. The physical impact of gaming, especially when it involves prolonged periods, can be significant and varies widely depending on the individual’s gaming habits, the ergonomics of their gaming setup, and the balance they maintain between gaming and physical activity.

Some negative impacts associated with gaming are:

1. Increased Health Risks: Prolonged periods of inactivity, which are common in extended gaming sessions, can contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
2. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): The repetitive motions involved in gaming, such as using a controller or keyboard, can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other strain injuries.
3. Poor Posture and Back Problems: Long gaming sessions without proper ergonomics can lead to poor posture, resulting in back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues such as scoliosis.
4. Eye Strain and Vision Problems: Extended screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterised by dry eyes, irritation, blurred vision, and headaches. In severe cases, there is a risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness).
5. Sleep Disturbances: Exposure to the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt the natural sleep cycle, leading to difficulties falling asleep and poor sleep quality. Engaging in stimulating or stressful game content close to bedtime can further exacerbate sleep issues.

If you are concerned about your child’s posture as a result of prolonged gaming, reach out to My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to speak to one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists today.