Researchers fear the popularity of computers and video games is responsible for an increase in injuries among children.

The Canada Safety Council says children are getting strain injuries from sitting in front of computers and video games for hours.

Council president Emile Therien said long-term health problems can develop if work stations are not set up properly. He gave as an example the use of dining-room tables instead of computer desks.

Children should be encouraged to take frequent breaks when playing video games.
Children should be encouraged to take frequent breaks when playing video games.

Physiotherapists say anecdotal evidence suggests sitting in one position repeating the same motions over and over again can lead to problems in children.

"Now is the time to really nip this problem in the bud before it becomes a very, very huge and serious concern," said Therien.

Parents should invest in desks and chairs that are the right height for children, advised Wayne Albert, a kinesiology professor at the University of New Brunswick.

He said parents should also encourage children to take frequent breaks. And the children should pay attention to their posture.

"They don't always think about their posture," said Albert. "They'll sit in front of the computer screen or in front of the TV for hours in an awkward posture. This can cause long-lasting injuries."

Albert said parents should watch for signs that computer-screen time is hurting their children – neck pain, wrist pain and eye strain.

Sitting at a computer with the head forward puts stress on the neck and shoulders, and repeatedly firing a video game button or using an adult-sized computer mouse can put more stress on the wrist, agreed Mark Duggan, a physiotherapist in Toronto.

The positions could cause pain, irritation and inflammation in the thumb, arms, hands and neck, he said.