the 15 worst tech-related health risks (and how to fix them)

The 15 Worst Tech-Related Health Risks(AND HOW TO FIX THEM)

Death from....social networking?

http://greatist.com/health/19-worst-tech-related-health-risks

Some have suggested that spending all day on facebook, Twitter, Tumbl (and so on) can

have negative biological effects on the body as people substitute real

social interaction with online interaction. So skip tweets,

messaging, and commenting, and hang out with people in the real

world!

Relax...

Video Link Video Link

https://youtu.be/L09i3_YeIbo

https://youtu.be/e6DM5ckcH14

1. Smartphone stress

Feeling a bit anxious? Scientists have found an association between smartphones and stress, as people constantly check messages and alerts (why hasn’t he/she texted me back?!). So take a break! Turn phones to silent or plan to check it only every few hours.


70% of Canadians turn to The Internet to help diagnose their aches and pains. But WebMD is no personal doctor, and relying on Dr. Google may lead to cyberchondria— excessive health anxiety caused by online searches. If something's worrisome, try making the trek to a professional instead of the computer.

2. Acne caused by cell phones

Scrubbing down before bed may not be enough to keep pesky acne at bay. Cell phones can be covered in bacteria, causing oils to collect when placed against the face. The result? Unwanted pimples on cheeks and chins! (And unfortunately, there’s no app to help.) Try talking on speakerphone or use a headset to keep phones away from the face.


3. Cell phone sickness

It’s not just the public washroom that’s full of germs. Researchers have found mobile phones can be contaminated with various types of microorganisms that could lead to infection . Unfortunately, it's not as easy as tossing phones into the washing machine (kids, don't try this at home), but they are easy enough to clean by hand!


4. Allergies and cell phones

Pollen, dog fur, peanuts and… cell phones? Yep, when phones come into contact with faces, a facial allergic reaction, a.k.a. dermatitis, can surface . Just another reason to put the phone on speaker, stick to texting, or (gasp)— speak to someone in person.


5. Crazy phones

Okay, so this may be a bit sensationalist, but in one study, 68 percent of cell-phone users experience "phantom vibrations," or thinking they felt a phone vibrate in a pocket or purse, only to realize there was nothing there . Unfortunately, there’s no remedy for this one.


6. Radiation from cell phones

Cell phones emit some radiation that can be absorbed by the user, but research has yet to prove the amount can be harmful . However, it has become a slight concern as more and more people are using cellular devices. (Even two year-olds.)

We have some hope that the questions about a cell phone–brain tumor link will be answered, eventually. After all, it took years of study for people to accept that lead-based paint could contribute to impaired IQ and that smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. What is required are time and evidence.


7. Laptop burns

Pyro’s aren’t the only ones increasing their risk of getting burned. If dying sperm isn’t an issue, keeping the computer off that lap will at least prevent the risk of second-degree burns laptops have been known to cause referred to as toasted skin syndrome.


8. Laptop headaches

Straining eyes by staring at the computer screen for too long can cause headaches and blurred vision . Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 metres away for 20 seconds to avoid development of

Video Link http://greatist.com/health/19-worst-tech-related-health-risks

https://youtu.be/tAmFiRRIlKM

9. Sleeping problems from laptops

Counting sheep ain't cutting it? It may be from cuddling up with your phone in bed. The artificial light from screens can suppress the release of melatonin, which helps us sleep . Swap the computer for a book before hitting the hay and hopefully those zzz's will come a bit more easily.


10. Decreased attention span from using Facebook.

Sure, it gives us virtual friends. But scientists have also suggested Facebook may affect brain activity (that constantly moving news feed!), potentially leading to attention-deficient disorder. So reduce the time spent Facebook stalking crushes and hang out with real friends instead.

This could also affect grades...


11. Hearing loss from headphones

Listen up and turn the music down. Blasting those tunes through our headphones can lead to hearing impairment, so keep the noise at a safe listening level— around 80 decibels .


Video Link

https://youtu.be/VxcbppCX6Rk

12. Headphone use leading to accidents.

In the past eight years, 116 pedestrians have died while wearing headphones. Don’t just turn down the volume; to really hear those trains, planes, and automobiles, unplug completely


13. Cell phones and car accidents

Chatting on the phone while driving is more than just distracting— it can actually reduce activity in the brain and draw our focus away from the road. So ditch the phone and keep both hands on the wheel! And don't even think about texting. Oprah would so not approve!


Video Link Video Link

Video Link

https://youtu.be/Ss021L0hWU4

https://youtu.be/t7911kgJJZc

https://youtu.be/R0LCmStIw9E

10 Facts About Texting and Driving

▪ 5 seconds is the minimal amount of attention that a driver who texts takes away from the road. If traveling at 55 mph, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.

▪ Texting makes a crash up to 23 times more likely.

▪ Teens who text while driving spend 10% of the time outside their lane.

▪ According to AT&T's Teen Driver Survey, 97% of teens agree that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 43% do it anyway.

▪ 19% of drivers of all ages admit to surfing the web while driving.

https://beta.dosomething.org/facts/11-fact-about-texting-and-driving

10 Facts about Texting and Driving

▪ 40% of teens say that they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone.

▪ According to 77% of teens, adults tell them not to text or email while driving, yet adults do it themselves “all the time.”

▪ 9 in 10 teens expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less, which puts pressure on them to respond while driving.

▪ Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a collision than drivers who focus on the road.

▪ When drivers take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds, their crash risk doubles.

https://beta.dosomething.org/facts/11-fact-about-texting-and-driving

Ontario Ministry of Transportation Law

▪ In Ontario, it is illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices. It is even illegal to be holding an electronic device while driving!

▪ If you break this law, you could receive:▪ a fine of $225, plus a victim surcharge and court fee, for a total of

$280 if settled out of court▪ a fine of up to $500 if you receive a summons or fight your ticket

▪ If you endanger others because of any distraction, including both hand-held and hands-free devices, you can also be charged with careless driving. If convicted, you will automatically receive: ▪ six demerit points▪ fines up to $2,000 and/or ▪ a jail term of six months▪ up to two-year license suspension▪ You can even be charged with dangerous driving (a criminal

offence), with jail terms of up to five years.http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/distracted-driving.shtml

Tips to avoid distraction

▪ Use your cell phone only when you're parked, or have a passenger take the call.

▪ Let calls go to voicemail.

▪ Turn off your cell phone before you start driving.

▪ Identify and preset your vehicle's climate control, radio and CD player.

▪ Plan your route and set your GPS before you leave.

▪ When you're hungry or thirsty, take a break. Don't eat or drink while you drive.

▪ Avoid other distractions like grooming activities http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/distracted-driving.shtml

Hashtag X

▪ The average person expects a response to a text within 5 min, which is why many people feel a desperate urge to respond to texts...even while driving!

▪ If your Twitter feed or cellphone is filling up with #x messages, don’t ask why. They can’t answer. Your conversation has been put on pause.

▪ The campaign started in the USA last summer

▪ It means, “I’m about to drive” and is meant to pause the texting conversation by letting the person know you can’t respond.

▪ Before getting in the car, drivers are encouraged to text #x to let people know they’re going to be out of touch.

#X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFL0JcRjS1A

14. Texting Thumb

Yes, texting thumb is actually a thing. Over texting can actually cause stress injuries to the thumb, which can cause tendonitis. And while a thumb injury may derail texting habits, it can be quite painful (especially during a thumb war). The solution? Take a break from texting and make a phone call.

15. Computers causing back and neck pain

▪ It doesn’t stop at the wrist. A recent study found leaning in to read the small print on a tablet screen can strain the neck . And other research suggests hunching over that laptop (or desktop!) can cause pain in the neck and back . Need a simple solution? Place the tablet on a table, in a case that holds it upright. When using a laptop or desktop, use a standing desk (or build a makeshift one)!


If you keep texting, your head will fall off...

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/death-by-texting-spine-problems-text-neck-madness/383132/

Your Candy Crush addiction might be harming your neck more than your productivity

▪ Looking down at your phone can add up to 60 pounds of pressure on your spine- text neck

▪ You spend 2-4 hours per day on average with your head tilted downward

▪ Over a year, that adds up to over 5000 hours of excess stress on the cervical spine

▪ Causes a hunched-forward position and increases the risk of spinal wear and tear

http://time.com/3595976/spine-phone/

So what?!

▪ Take preventative steps by looking at your phone while maintaining good posture- having one's ears aligned with their shoulders

▪ Get up and move▪ Jawbone ▪ Fitbit - compete with your friends and family!

▪ 12-18 year olds should get 60 minutes of physical activity each day (this can be done throughout the day with multiple activities)▪ at least 20 minutes should be vigorous activity (those that

make you huff and puff) 3-4 days a week

▪ Any questions, comments or concerns? http://time.com/3595976/spine-phone/

the 15 worst tech-related health risks (and how to fix them)

Documents