Potential Health Problems Faced by an Asian Youth Population with Increasing Trends for Computer Use

Computers have become a very powerful tool in our everyday lives, and is becoming a very important educational medium. This paper discusses the computer use patterns of secondary school students in Hong Kong and compare these to the figures reported in western countries. Results of two questionnaire surveys showed the growing trends of daily computer use by students, and there are also high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal discomforts related to computer use. The issues of computer use at school and at home are discussed, especially in relation to the problem of space and resources. These problems are reflected in the lack of ergonomic considerations in the design and layout of computer workstations both at schools and at home. These issues need to be addressed urgently as they may have profound implications on the children’s helath.