Digital Health and Wellbeing

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Wellbeing and health for children

According to Ribble (2011) the definition of this element is: “Physical and psychological well-being in a digital technological world”.

Physical Issues

These are the physiological symptoms and issues that may arise from the overuse of technology and the Internet.

- Ergonomics

Ergonomics is ‘”the science of designing environments and products to match the individuals who use them” (Global Total Office, n.d.). It involves having chairs, desks, keyboards, screens designed to match the employee’s physique.

-Repetitive Strain Injury Syndrome (RSI)

This syndrome develops over time, after repeated use of a particular muscle group, as well as poor posture. This can be incredibly painful in the area that it develops. The most common types of RSI are:

- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

- Tennis Elbow

- Trigger Finger

- Tendonitis

- Blackberry Thumb

-Eye Strain

 Impact on other areas as well as the affected one, is the eyestrain. Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain are two types of eyestrain that occur.

-Obesity  

Given the extent of time we spend at a desk, sitting around, we need to ensure that we eat healthy and maintain a regular exercise regime.

Psychological Issues

 The psychological effects are that much more critical, in that:

1. Harder to identify. There are no visual identifiers to highlight the damage, unlike a sore, getting fact, etc.;

2. Often misdiagnosed;

3. Stigma attached to diagnosis;

4. People’s lack of understanding the severity of untreated disorders; and

5. Chemical treatments often have physical side effects.

-Addiction

In 2013 there were 2,756,198,420 Internet users, of which 70% used it every day. Recent studies showed that one in every 8 users suffered from Internet addiction (Young, 2012).

-Online Disinhibition Effect

This dissociative behaviour results in people feeling less inhibited due to the anonymity of the Internet and therefore results in increased antisocial, disruptive behavior.

-Cyber Bullying

Studies conducted on children and adolescents consistently state the negative psychological consequences of cyber bullying. Severe victimization of a child has such far-reaching ramifications that often said child experiences adult problems as a result.

-Cyber Stalking

Due to the anonymity of the Internet, stalking on the Internet has risen in number of incidents reported. This crime is perhaps the most frightening in that the victim has no control, often not believed (it’s your imagination), and are often further victimized when others believe the victim to be ‘making it up’.

(Digital citizenship Student Manuel, 2015, page 134-145)