Eye problems
When you focus on the screen of your tablet, cellphone or laptop, you blink less than usual. Research shows that, in some cases, blinking is reduced by a third. This can lead to dry eye syndrome, which is connected to several other eye conditions. Meanwhile, laser-eye surgeons in the UK are reporting more cases of short-sightedness among young people, and believe it could be due to using smartphones. It’s thought this could be because people tend to hold their smartphone closer to their faces than they would books or magazines.
Headaches
Pounding headaches are a common complaint among many computer and tablet users. This can be down to poor posture while working the device, too small a font, or a screen that is too bright or too dark.
sleeping issues
The light given off by laptop and tablet screens can confuse your body clock, so if you use them shortly before going to bed, it can be hard for your brain to switch off and you won’t feel sleepy. The resulting sleep deprivation can then cause all sorts of problems, such as mood swings and difficulty concentrating.
Sedentary lifestyle
A British study has found that the average person spends 11 hours a day looking at screens – this includes televisions, phones and computers – and as a result there is little time left to be active. Being sedentary is a major risk factor for lots of illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes.
Back and neck pain
This commonly affects computer and tablet users, largely due to poor posture. Looking down at a tablet or smartphone for hours on end can put a huge strain on your neck, and hunching is also bad for your back.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This painful disorder of the hand and wrist can be caused by excessive and incorrect use of computers. While tablets may seem lightweight, when you’ve been holding them for a long time, it can leave your wrists and arms aching. Meanwhile, texting and sending emails on a smartphone can cause wear and tear on the thumb and fingers.
Hearing loss
Playing music on your smartphone or MP3 player loudly – especially through earphones – can lead to hearing loss over time. Constant loud noise can destroy the sensory cells that take auditory information to the brain.
Motion sickness
Apple has recently received reports that its new iOS7 operating system is making some iPhone and iPad users feel dizzy. It zooms in and out when users switch between applications and sends mixed messages to the brain, which is proving too much for some people. The good news is this function can be changed by going to Settings, then General and Accessibility, then clicking on Reduce Motion.
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