Health Problems Caused by Technology Addiction in Preschool Children
Condition: Technology Addiction
MeSH terms: Behavior, Addictive; Technology Addiction
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Technological products are tools that make human life easier. Among these tools that have
      become an indispensable part of human life, smart devices, namely smart phones, tablets and
      computers, have a special place. It is seen that the time spent by both parents and children
      in the family with smart devices has increased for various reasons. This situation creates
      effects on the developmental processes of children.

      In the literature, it is seen that children and adolescents are more exposed to digital
      technology. Preschoolers, unlike other children, are in the process of forming healthy habits
      that will continue to reflect their future quality of life. Incorrect posture in preschool
      and school-aged children can cause extremely serious health problems in adulthood, if not
      detected and removed in time. Knowledge of postural control and muscle strength can be
      important both for identifying children at high risk of falls and injury and for developing
      fall and injury prevention intervention programs.

      More specifically, knowledge of a potential relationship between postural control and muscle
      strength can assist in tailoring specially designed injury and fall prevention intervention
      programs.

      As a result, with the changing world, the age at which children start using technological
      devices is gradually decreasing, and as age increases, the duration of device use also
      increases. Provider, children's exposure to technology will be much longer than adults. There
      are no studies evaluating the relationship between technology addiction, posture disorder,
      balance and muscle strength in the preschool period. Generally, research has been done on
      technology addiction and posture disorder.

      The aim of our research is not only to investigate the technology addiction and posture
      disorder of preschool children, but also to evaluate the relationship between future muscle
      strength and balance of the posture disorder that may occur.
    

Detailed description: 
      Technological products are tools that make human life easier. Among these tools that have
      become an indispensable part of human life, smart devices, namely smart phones, tablets and
      computers, have a special place. Considering the studies, the age at which children start
      using technological devices is gradually decreasing and their physical activity is decreasing
      more because they spend more time with technological devices and are more inactive due to the
      increase in technology addiction. This situation creates negative effects on the
      developmental processes of children. Some of these effects are postural disturbance,
      decreased muscle strength and balance. No study was found that evaluated the relationship
      between technology addiction, posture disorder, balance and muscle strength in the preschool
      period. Generally, research has been done on technology addiction and posture disorder.

      The aim of this study is not only to investigate the technology addiction and posture
      disorder of preschool children, but also to evaluate the relationship between future muscle
      strength and balance of the posture disorder that may occur.

      This study can increase the awareness of parents and teachers by detecting health problems
      such as posture disorder, decrease in muscle strength and balance that may occur due to
      technology addiction of preschool children, and it can benefit pre-school children to use
      technology in a beneficial way for their development, both mentally and physically.
    

Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The preschool period includes 60 children with technology addiction.
      
Keywords: preschool, posture disorder, balance, muscle strength