Common ICT Health Issues
How can a computer make you sick?
- Identify common ICT-related health issues
- Match each issue to its main cause
- State one prevention for each
Overview
Long hours in front of screens create predictable health problems. Eye strain, repetitive strain injury (RSI), back and neck pain, headaches, and sleep disruption from blue light all have simple causes and simple preventions.
Eye Strain
Cause: staring at screens without breaks. Prevention: the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6m) away for 20 seconds.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Cause: repeated small movements (typing, mouse) in awkward postures. Prevention: neutral wrist posture, breaks, and stretching.
Back and Neck Pain
Cause: slouching, screens too high or low. Prevention: chair with lumbar support, monitor at eye level.
Sleep and Blue Light
Cause: bright screens late at night. Prevention: night mode, no screens 30 min before bed.
Match Issue → Cause → Prevention
- Receive a set of cards with health issues, causes and preventions.
- In pairs, match each issue to its cause and one prevention.
- Present one match to the class.
- State the 20-20-20 rule.
Reveal answer
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Give one cause of RSI.
Reveal answer
Repeated typing/mouse movements in poor posture.
- Why can screens disrupt sleep?
Reveal answer
Blue light suppresses melatonin.
Track your screen time today. Note when you felt the first eye strain or backache.