Tech Neck Increasing Back Pain In Students

People from all ages that have electronic devices are suffering from Tech Neck. Dr. K. Daniel Riew, co-director of spine surgery at the New York-Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital, defines tech neck as “the act of stressing muscles while using phones, tablets, and computers, resulting in neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, and soreness” (Health Matters). Tech Neck is seen everywhere in schools, corporate offices, home offices, etc. 

In school, admin, students, and teachers suffer from Tech Neck. Throughout the day, students and teachers are constantly looking at the screen, while, presenting or doing assigned work. Staring at the screen day after day is slowly increasing the tension on each victim’ s back. 

Most teenagers receive their first phone at the age of 13, which is the average time when most start the habit of slouching and start having Tech Neck. During intervention, break, and lunch, students immediately go on their phone to pass the time. Out of habit, this has increased the amount of damage we have done to our shoulders and back. 

Teens suffer the most from Tech Neck due to staring at a screen for 9 hours a day and then spending additional  hours on social media after school. According to Ivy Rehab, “Americans spend nearly six hours a day with digital media, and mobile use increased from .3 hours per day in 2008 to 3.3 hours a day in 2017. Doctors say tech neck is a growing problem among teenagers.” 

Throughout the years, many teachers and parents have told students and children to sit up and not slouch while sitting. Dr. K. Daniel Riew also claims that “when you sit with your back straight, you not only put a lot of force on the discs in your lower back, but the muscles in the back of the neck have to contract to hold the head up.” (Health Matters). Students should raise their phone to eye level to prevent the Tech Neck issue and cause further damage to your body