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Children learning to use computers are being put at risk of permanent injury, some health experts are warning.
They say thousands of children have already been damaged by medical problems associated with the operation of computers.
"I think we are on a threshold of what could be a global disaster"
Dr Leon Straker
These problems - neck, back and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) - have long been recognised as being linked to prolonged computer use and incorrect posture in adults.
As yet, no significant research into the risks of RSI among children, who spend hours on computers doing homework or playing games, has been carried out in the UK.
But doctors are reporting an increasing number of children complaining of computer-related injuries.
Muscles and bones
Dr Leon Straker, who is researching the problem in Australia, believes the future is bleak for UK children unless more work is carried out to tackle such injuries.
"I think we are on a threshold of what could be a global disaster," he said.
"This is the first generation of children who have used computers from early childhood while their muscles and bones are developing. "If we don't get knowledge quickly about how to use computers safely, then I think we will see a lot of children disabled from using computers."
Dr Straker's research at Curtin University in Perth involves using electrodes and mirrors wired to a computer to monitor children's movements when they are using a mouse or keyboard.
They say thousands of children have already been damaged by medical problems associated with the operation of computers.
"I think we are on a threshold of what could be a global disaster"
These problems - neck, back and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) - have long been recognised as being linked to prolonged computer use and incorrect posture in adults.
As yet, no significant research into the risks of RSI among children, who spend hours on computers doing homework or playing games, has been carried out in the UK.
But doctors are reporting an increasing number of children complaining of computer-related injuries.
Muscles and bones
Dr Leon Straker, who is researching the problem in Australia, believes the future is bleak for UK children unless more work is carried out to tackle such injuries.
"I think we are on a threshold of what could be a global disaster," he said.
"This is the first generation of children who have used computers from early childhood while their muscles and bones are developing. "If we don't get knowledge quickly about how to use computers safely, then I think we will see a lot of children disabled from using computers."
Dr Straker's research at Curtin University in Perth involves using electrodes and mirrors wired to a computer to monitor children's movements when they are using a mouse or keyboard.
