Slashdot Mirror
Doctor Warns of the Hidden Danger of Touchscreens
snydeq writes "Dr. Franklin Tessler discusses the hidden stress-related injuries of touchscreen use, and how best to use smartphones, tablets, and touch PCs to avoid them. 'Touchscreen-oriented health hazards are even more insidious because most people aren't even aware that they exist. The potential for injury from using touchscreens will only go up ... as the rise of the touchscreen means both new kinds of health hazards and more usage in risky scenarios,' Tessler writes, providing tips for properly positioning touchscreens and ways to avoid repetitive stress injuries and eyestrain."
you could have your eye out
I'm wearing a wrist brace right now because I held my Nook Color one-handed for too long over the course of a couple of weeks. Obviously I can't say for sure that this was the cause of my pain, but it gets worse when when I hold it in one hand only, and better when I use both hands or support it some other way. I wish I had thought of this before I started using the Nook. Yeah it's not a problem of national concern, and the article uses absurdly alarmist rhetoric, but these are real sources of pain and it's always good to have tips on how to avoid pain.
Apple: You're touching it wrong.
More hype to sell the same tripe.
Here's the reasons listed in the article:
--Repeated motion injuries, like using your thumbs to type
--unnatural postures and forces, such as tilting their hands too far inward or outward while tapping or putting force on their wrists while typing.
--Eyestrain, either because the characters and images aren't clear or because the screen is obscured by glare or reflections
Although the article also contradicts itself: "tablets and smartphones almost guarantee such awkward use because they can be accessed almost anywhere and in any position -- most of which involve poor posture."
But doesn't that also mean people can hold the devices in more natural positions, making them far safer than PCs or laptops? Also the same argument could be made that books are dangerous because they can be accessed almost anywhere and in any position.
And that's pretty much the entire article. Nothing to see here, move along.
my karma will be here long after I'm gone
I've already experienced mild RSI in the thumb after somewhat excessive touch screen use. Same as with mouse and keyboard use. I don't see why this would be something to write off. Rather, it is obvious that it would become a problem at some point.
What are you talking about? Good on you for having great health.
Meanwhile plenty of geeks suffer from computer-related health problems. The most common up to now has been carpal tunnel or repetitive stress syndrome.
The advent of touchscreens means people are bending their necks downward for extended periods. For many/most it may not be a problem.
For others, it can result in cervical spondylosis, a debilitating condition of the neck.
The reason for such articles is to encourage people to take preventive measures. One of the best is Workrave, a break reminder program for Win and Lin. Click to install. (Deb/Ub/Mint)
I'm not a lawyer, but I play one on the Internet. Blog
had to drive one-handed for 6 months once from lifting a beer keg into my car
I drive one handed every time I see an attractive woman.
I'm not going to ask who drives the car when you see two attractive women...
Ezekiel 23:20
pussy
You wouldn't believe the RSI potentials here. Just chiseling a single line of text gives me blisters.
Help stamp out iliturcy.
But, your use of, commas, has driven me to, bang my head, against my desk . . .
. . .resulting in CST. I got a gel pad though so I'll be fine in a few months.