Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and everyone else: Child Safety Iinfo

[Weird Harold]

Another article from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2002/leicester_2002/2248439.stm

Computer injury risk to children

Children are risking permanent, painful injuries by using computers set up for adults, an ergonomics expert has warned.
Millions of young people use adult equipment everyday at school and at home.

But computers, keyboards, the mouse, and the furniture rarely take into account the size of children.

Professor Peter Buckle, of the Robens Centre for Health Economics at the University of Surrey, UK, said this was bound to cause problems.

Repetitive strain injury was a particular risk, particularly as children's muscles and bones are still developing.

...

If you have children who use your computer, this article is a "must read." At the very least, an adjustable computer chair for around $40 is a cheap investment in reducing the strains on children using your computer.

I'm not sure what else you can do to make your computer set-up more ergonomic for children, or even making their computer set-up better (if they have their own.) Still, this is something that should be looked at and improved however you can.

 

[Pyper]

I always sat on my parents' lap.

 

[Weird Harold]

Bump for the day shift.

 

[WhatsHerName]

Thanks for the article! I will keep that in mind when I set up the kids computer!

 

[calypso_21]

I'm not sure what else you can do to make your computer set-up more ergonomic for children, or even making their computer set-up better (if they have their own.) Still, this is something that should be looked at and improved however you can.

I have a laptop that she can take to her desk and sit in her chair. Grandma is an occupational therapist...everything is ergonomic.

 

[Secret Kate]

 

[Weird Harold]

I have a laptop that she can take to her desk and sit in her chair.

Are laptops even ergonomic for adults?

I suppose that the smaller keyboard is really better suited for children and being able to use it at her desk is better than trying to adapt an adult proportioned computer desk.

Secret Kate,
I can certainly see a market developing for full function computers scaled to children's ergonomic needs. The only problem I can see with it being a viable market, is that children grow out of things very quickly and "child sized" components would have to be fairly inexpensive because they would require periodic replacement.

Child Sized computer work stations might be more viable -- I've actually seen some "Student Desks" that are designed with computers in mind.

 

[Azwed]

I think laptop computers would be better for childern then ordinary ones. The smaller keyboard would probably be better for their hands.

I know I can't use a laptop very well, or an Imac style keyboard, because my fingers are too thick.

 

[Secret Kate]

 

[Weird Harold]

I can see the new keyboards and such being cheaply priced - and gee they'd sell at yardsales easily when the kids outgrow them

The re-selling at yard sales (and recycling through second hand "baby shops") would work against them being cheaply priced.

There is however, a big market for kid oriented electronics -- Barbie Cameras, Playskool Kareoke machines, and such -- that would certainly indicate that there should be a market for kid sized keyboards and mice.

 

[calypso_21]

Are laptops even ergonomic for adults?

I suppose that the smaller keyboard is really better suited for children and being able to use it at her desk is better than trying to adapt an adult proportioned computer desk.

She has a little keyboard that attaches to the laptop...trust me...completely ergnomic...you don't know my mother.

 

[Weird Harold]

She has a little keyboard that attaches to the laptop...trust me...completely ergnomic...you don't know my mother.

You wouldn't by any chance know of an online source for that "little keyboard" for those of us who don't have mothers specializing in ergonomics?

 

[calypso_21]

You wouldn't by any chance know of an online source for that "little keyboard" for those of us who don't have mothers specializing in ergonomics?

I will have to check but I will get back to you.

 

[calypso_21]

Got it...


Child Keyboard

http://www.askergoworks.com/images/products/kidskeyboard-littlefingers.gif

 

[Weird Harold]

Got it...


Child Keyboard

Thanks bunches

I've already passed it along to my daughter -- she was very interested when I mentioned it to her this afternoon.

 

[Spinaroonie]

Added one!

DO NOT let your processor run too hot! A child could grab the mouse cord and pull the computer off of a desk and possibly scald themselves with the processor.

Also, Children like to touch things, so make sure they're wearing a grounding strip and don't drool on the motherboard too much.

 

[Spinaroonie]

PS... RSI's are a bitch and three quarters... trust me, I know.

 

[binkley]

Do not, I repeat, do not put your child in the oven. I may have looked cute when the witch did it in Hansel and Gretel, but you will definitely regret it later.