'Text Neck' Now Showing Up in Children, Doctors Warn

Neck stiffness and pain linked to prolonged device use — informally known as "text neck" — is increasingly being reported among younger users, including primary-school children, doctors say.

The device itself is not necessarily the problem, said consultant orthopaedic and spine surgeon Dr S Jaya Thilak. Trouble arises when a child spends long stretches absorbed in a screen with head lowered, shoulders rounded and the body barely moving.

"One of the most common symptoms is persistent neck pain," he said, adding that posture, physical activity, neck strength and the positioning of tablets or computers are common contributors. The complaints were once largely associated with adults who work with computers.

Research involving children aged five to 12 has found that longer smartphone use is associated with greater head and neck flexion, particularly while sitting. Studies among adolescents have also linked heavier device use and more pronounced slouching with musculoskeletal discomfort.

Unlike television, generally viewed from farther away, a phone is usually held close to the body. Short videos, games and endless scrolling also make it easy to lose track of time. "Many users simply don't realise how long they have been holding their neck in an unhealthy position," Jaya noted.

Children may complain of soreness, stiffness, headaches or discomfort when turning their heads, or rub their necks frequently. Persistent numbness, weakness, severe pain, or symptoms that interfere with sleep and daily activities should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than dismissed as ordinary tiredness.

Most mild cases can be addressed by changing everyday habits. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Loh Choong Sing advises keeping the head more upright and bringing the device closer to eye level. Supporting the arms on a table, cushion or armrest makes a comfortable position easier to maintain.

Children should avoid using devices while curled up on a sofa, lying on their stomachs or sitting without back support for long periods. Loh recommends a break roughly every 30 minutes — standing up, walking briefly and gently moving the shoulders and neck.

The World Health Organization advises children and adolescents to limit sedentary time and build regular movement into the day, rather than focusing only on one supposedly perfect sitting position.

Parents may find routines more effective than constant reminders to "sit properly": using devices at a table rather than in bed, raising tablets with stands or cases, and setting timers. Adults can also model the same habits.

Physiotherapy may help children with recurring symptoms. According to Loh, most improve once healthier movement and screen habits become part of their routine.