What may be more surprising is the significant growth of social media users over the age of 65. A Pew Research Center 2013-2014 survey found that Facebook is the biggest winner of the social media assemblage with 56% of seniors ages 65+ “Facebooking” today.
Key notes from the survey found that multi-platform use (using two or more social media sites) experienced an increase of adult users from 42% in 2013 to 52% in 2014. For the youth, ages 18-29, Instagram saw a significant increase is users whereas roughly half of that population now uses the site. Many of these individuals – youth and older adults alike – are finding the smart phone apps so convenient that this is likely a main cause of the exponential increase in social medial use.
Along with the user growth with cell phones social media apps comes a significant reduction in health. These health issues are not what you would expect. Earlier reports of cell phone use reported the exposure to radiofrequency fields that are emitted when the phone is actually used close to your body (i.e. using it as an actual phone). These health issues revolve around the physical dangers of simply using the phone for play.
Responding to Facebook posts, texting, or posting Instagram photos actually creates spinal misalignment. Looking down at the phone puts extra pressure on the spine, according to a study published in the Surgical Technology International journal. For example, tilting your head downward even by 15 degrees exerts almost 30 pounds of pressure on the spine. Most people lean much further when on their phone apps, perhaps even up to 60 degrees, which exerts 60 pounds onto the spine. In its neutral position, the head and neck only exert 10-12 pounds of pressure onto the spine.
Thus, when people walk around face down into their phones, they might as well be dragging a 60-pound weight around their necks.
A second overuse of cell phone apps injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, or what has now been coined “cellphone elbow.” Overusing the tendons in the arms and fingers can cause inflammation, pain and numbness.
A third health concern is eye damage. Most people understand this is a significant issue from TV screens or computer screens, but cell phone screens? Oh yes. Several studies over the years have found that blue light from personal electronic devices have been linked to macular degeneration, cataracts and higher cancer risk. In addition, looking at your lighted phone in a dark room can be harmful to the eyes, causing overall vision damage.
Another issue in the increase use of social media by adults is they are endangering the lives of their children and grandchildren. According to a graduate student from Yale University, who is developing a paper on the topic, parents are busy posting, tweeting, pinning, and doing other social media activities that children they are watching are getting injured. He found that when AT&T rolled out their new 3G network several years ago, injuries to children more than doubled at the local hospitals. Apparently, the children were not closely supervised by their guardians and were getting injured.
It’s important to stay connected, and if social media is convenient, go for it. The key is to keep it to a minimum. Adopt the same attitude as you would foods: “all in moderation.” Keep your health, put the phone down now and then!
Works used for this article:
Dallas, K. (2014). 4 unexpected health risks of smartphone use. Retrieved from http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2841/4-unexpected-health-risks-of-smartphone-use.html
Duggan, M., Ellison, N. B., Lampe, C., Lenhart, A., and Madden, M. (2015). Social media update 2014. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/09/social-media-update-2014/
Hansraj, K. K. (n.d.) Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by poster and position of the head. Surgical Technology International, XXV. Available online at https://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/spine-study.pdf
Kohli, S. (2014). Are parents on iPhones endangering their kids? Retrieved from http://qz.com/#295483/are-parents-on-iphones-endangering-their-kids/
World Health Organization. (2013). What are the health risks associated with mobile phones and their base stations? Retrieved from http://www.who.int/features/qa/30/en/
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