Smartphones, tablets may carry health risks

Smartphones, tablets and laptops may be more powerful and compact but they still carry with them their own set of health risks, a UK-based trade union body for physiotherapists said.

 

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy said people particularly risk their health by working on such devices after they have left the office, according to a report on British Broadcasting Co.

 

"While doing a bit of extra work at home may seem like a good short-term fix, if it becomes a regular part of your evening routine then it can lead to problems such as back and neck pain, as well as stress-related illness," Chartered Society of Physiotherapy chairperson Dr. Helena Johnson said.

 

She said this is especially the case if one is using handheld devices and not thinking about your posture.

 

"Talk to your employer if you are feeling under pressure," she advised.

 

Citing the group's findings, the BBC report said people who become "screen slaves" and are often working while commuting or after they get home risk poor posture in such environments and may experience back and neck pain.

 

It added an online survey of 2,010 office workers by the Society found that nearly two-thirds of those questioned continued working outside office hours.

 

The group said people were topping up their working day with an average of more than two hours of extra screentime every day.

 

People needed to learn to switch off their devices, it stressed.

 

The BBC report quoted the group as saying the data suggested having too much work and easing pressure during the day were the two main reasons for the extra workload.

 

Also, the group suggested that individuals who cannot leave their work in the office should talk to their managers and learn to switch off their smartphones.

 

Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber added excessive work levels are not good for anyone.

 

"Overworked employees are not only unlikely to be performing well at work, the stress an unmanageable workload causes is also likely to be making them ill. By the time someone is so overloaded they constantly feel the need to put in extra hours every night of the week at home, things have clearly got out of hand," Barber said.

 

"Individuals who find themselves unable to leave their work in the office should talk to their managers and learn to switch off their smartphones," Barber added. — TJD, GMA News