Thai Ophthalmologist Warns Children On Too Much Computer Use

[webfact]

Kids warned on too much computer use

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Children aged between 10-15 years are at risk from computer vision syndrome due to heavy computer use, causing eyestrain, fatigue, and headache, blurred near vision, and other associated symptoms like neck and backache, an ophthalmologist warned yesterday.

Dr Thapanawong Tanguraiwan, an ophthalmologist of Pra Nang Klao hospital, said many children were spending too much time at computer and other devices such as smartphone or tablet to surf the Internet.

Heavy computer use among children can cause a greater risk to health such as back pain, neck and headaches. They could develop nearsightedness, eye socket pain, and blurred vision, as they spend a lot of time looking at computer and smartphone screens closeup.

Additionally, they could develop aggressive and destructive behaviour from spending less time in social activities and talking to their family members.

He suggested children should limit their time before a computer screen to an hour a day. They should not use a computer in a dark room. Children should adjust the screen to the same brightness as the room they are using, and they should sit at least 1 metre from the screen.

According to the National Statistical Office, over 62.4 million Thais aged over 6 use computers and mobile devices to surf the Internet.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

[GentlemanJim]

Great news for Thailand as it has strived to be ahead of other countries for so long. Now it is going to ensure that these medical problems are not eradicated but exacerbated as it can now ensure the medical problems highlighted above are passed on to ALL 6 yr olds and above. These computer tablets should be a huge success in spreading the ailments associated with two much IT use. I wonder if the teachers know that the kids should be spending an hour maximum on the computer each day?

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen playing the game!! Needless to say he does no homework and his schoolwork is non existent. It was so bad last year that he failed and must do the entire year again...what future I ask you. We try and get him to join our kids running round the garden in the evening playing on the slides and trampolines and see-saw but no chance. A snippet of things to come. Thailand hub of cutting edge schooling techniques.

[Woodcaulk]

As I walk the streets and ride the skytrain, I'm struck by the percentage of those I encounter with their heads down, thumbs articulating furiously, eyes fixated on a tiny lcd screen held in their hands.....if what the doctor says is true, 98% of Bankokians will have headaches and visual acutity of about 20/800 in just a few years.

[Sayonarax]

I can not for the life of me pronounce that word.

Ive used a computer every day of my life and stand up straighter than people who stand up for living. Stop blaming computers and point to the real issue, parents with no clue or life skills.

Maybe you should leave psychology up to the psychologist eh doc?

Next time you have a thought don't phone the papers..

[Mosha]

A few months ago, BBC did a piece on Asian students in general. Some spend so much time cooped up in an artificially lit room, they are clinically blind by the time they leave school. The figures quoted were far in excess of their Western counterparts. It's not just staring at computer screens, but a lack of vitamin d supplied by sunlight.

[sirchai]

Guess they forgot to mention the addiction to websites like facebook, HI 5 and others......

[MaxLee]

And the government introduces tablets for 1st graders... Well that's a way to heal the Nation, LOL

[MrsMills]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

[Reasonableman]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

[creck]

I would guess (just under a million births a year) there were say, 5 million under six. Total population say 66 million. Population over six is about 61 million. All using internet?

The same sort of warnings were common when TV was new. Maybe when books became common!!

[hellodolly]

I would guess (just under a million births a year) there were say, 5 million under six. Total population say 66 million. Population over six is about 61 million. All using internet?

The same sort of warnings were common when TV was new. Maybe when books became common!!

When TVs were new the screens were small and you were told to not it to close. Now they have hand held phones with text messaging and small screen pads and computers that they sit whith in two feet of.

Plus the socal element that is being changed kids will only be able to communicate with each other electronically.

[SuneeTH]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

Most TV members are blind when they turn 70.

If the don't die from a heart attack at night beside their under-age local girlfriend first.

[chooka]

Guess they forgot to mention the addiction to websites like facebook, HI 5 and others......

That was the subject of another thread, where thais are the biggest users of facebook.

[Payboy]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

His eyes are okay though, the rose tinted glasses must be blocking all those harmful rays.

[Reasonableman]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

Most TV members are blind when they turn 70.

If the don't die from a heart attack at night beside their under-age local girlfriend first.

That comment is based on your personal experience as a TV member?

Edited July 31, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Pib]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

Sounds like intervention time...maybe add another webpage to his Favorites...but don't tell George.

[hellodolly]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

Most TV members are blind when they turn 70.

If the don't die from a heart attack at night beside their under-age local girlfriend first.

Well that tells a little bit of your life.

[jaltsc]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

I remember when I was young, I was also told if I didn't stop doing something else I would go blind. Well, it's been many years and I just got my first pair of glasses. My only concern now is arthritis.

Edited July 31, 2012 by jaltsc

[Credo]

When I was young, I was always told that it was some other nefarious activity that would make me go blind!

[Scott]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

But some of us are supposed to!

[Robby nz]

Dont know a lot about it but when I first went to get a pair of specs several years back the first question I was asked was 'do you use a computer'

So it would seem that there is some connection.

Looks like selling specs will be a good business in the future.

[Babcock]

Well we're all taught that we should periodically look up from our screens and look into the near distance to re-focus the eye.

Perhaps get some perspective.

At least the LCD screens don't flicker.

[drdoom6996]

Give them more tablets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Payboy]

When I was young, I was always told that it was some other nefarious activity that would make me go blind!

All a misunderstanding, the neighbors complained so your parents just wanted you to pull down the window blinds.

[theajarn]

Darn. Better stop browsing Thai Visa too often...

[khaowong1]

As I walk the streets and ride the skytrain, I'm struck by the percentage of those I encounter with their heads down, thumbs articulating furiously, eyes fixated on a tiny lcd screen held in their hands.....if what the doctor says is true, 98% of Bankokians will have headaches and visual acutity of about 20/800 in just a few years.

It's not only Thailand. It's everywhere. Even here is the US.. Parents come to my temple and their children are sitting in the back playing on their i-pads or smartphones. It's like their all zombies.

[jackr]

A 6-7 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life out of school playing one particular game on the computer. From his arrival home in the afternoon he is straight on and doesn't stop until dragged away screaming at bed time. They even spoon feed him whilst he stares at the screen

A 60 - 70 yr old living next door to us spends his entire life on ThaiVisa.

But some of us are supposed to!

Unfortunately for us.

[belg]

can they also have a warning for THAI TV SOAPS : too mut tv will rottttt your brain

[sunshine51]

When I was young, I was always told that it was some other nefarious activity that would make me go blind!

Couple that with porn sites, facebook...etc and free tablet computers LOS will be

populated by the blind within 20 years....mark me words Jimmy...mark me words.