Health Problems Caused by Technology Addiction in Preschool Children

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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Having consented to participate in the study by their parents
* Having normal development
* Absence of neurodevelopmental or neuromotor disability

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those who were not approved by their parents to participate in the study.
* Presence of neurodevelopmental or neuromotor disability
* Children with physical or mental disabilities
* Having an orthopedic or metabolic problem