Workstation Ergonomics: Guidelines for Computer Use by Children

1) Always work in the Neutral Posture.
Follow the Neutral Posture guidelines below apply to children and adults. Following these guidelines will ensure that your child uses a computer in a comfortable and ergonomically correct way.

Neutral Work Posture for Children :

• Upper body posture
• Back supported by chair (sitting back in chair with back >90° and well supported)
• Chair seat should not compress behind the knees
• Feet firmly on a surface for support (floor/footrest)
• Head balanced on neck (not tilted back or too far forwards)
• Popliteal angle >90° (i.e. angle behind the knees should be open)
• Upper arms close to body and relaxed (not abducted to the side or flexed forward)
• Elbow angle >90° (forearm below horizontal)
• Wrist neutral (<15 °) (wrist/hand level with forearm)

Observe how your child uses the computer and then adjust the workstation arrangement so that s/he is working in the most neutral posture that you can achieve.

2) Organize a Normal Work Area
The normal work area is the space that can easily be reached by your child while s/he is sitting comfortably in the chair without her/him having to unduly bend or twist their body. Bring those items that your child uses most while working at the computer within this normal work area. If you child types from a text document or book, make sure that this is placed in a document holder and that it is as close to the screen as you can get it so that your child doesn't have to twist her/his head unnecessarily.

3) Check the Computer Screen Position
The computer screen should be positioned so that your child can comfortably view the screen without having to noticeably tilt her/his neck backwards or forwards. If the screen is too high, your child's neck will be tipped backwards, and if it is too low it will be bent forwards. You should change the height and angle of the screen to avoid these postures.

4) Workstation furniture and equipment
The following furniture and equipment is can help you to create the most comfortable and adjustable workstation arrangements for you and your child as s/he grows. a comfortable chair - use a height adjustable chair with a comfortable seat and good back support a stable desk/worksurface - make sure that your child is working with a computer that is placed on a stable worksurface. Use a negative slope/tiltdown keyboard system for a height adjustable keyboard/mouse platform. Check the fit of the keyboard and mouse to the size of your child's hands. If you child has small hands then consider using a smaller keyboard for a better fit.

5) Glare-free screen
Check that the computer screen is free from glare spots (bright lights). To do this you may have to reposition the screen or adjust the room lighting. Make sure that there is sufficient light on any paper documents that your child is reading by using a freestanding adjustable brightness task light.

6) Manage computer use time
The risks of any postural problems associated with computer use depend upon the length of time that you child uses the computer without taking a rest break and doing something else. You can "watch the clock" to regulate your child's computer use, or you can use a software program to to this. These software program usually give on-screen alerts to "take a break", and often they provide guidance on simple stretch exercises (for example, you can download free"ErgoPal software" that will run on a PC).