Digital Health & Wellness

February Digital Citizenship Message

Digital Health & Wellness

• One of the nine vital branches of Digital Citizenship. It describes the mental and physical well-being when using the internet.

• This may include: ergonomics, the physical well-being and the posture of the body while using the internet and safety of important body parts, such as the eyes.

• This branch of Digital Citizenship also emphasizes the potential risks and dangers when using online websites.

Digital Addiction• Recent scientific studies are now showing that: " it may be possible to

experience habit-forming chemical reactions to behavior as well as substances"(Young, 2012).

• Internet addiction has become an international problem that is now being recognized as a serious problem. Internet addiction can cause excessive fatigue or loss of sleep, academic problems, withdrawal from friends and family, and behavioral problems in those who suffer from it. Different types of internet addiction can include cyber-relationship addiction, net compulsions such as shopping and gaming, and information overload.

• It’s important to set a certain time limit and adhere to it. This will help to learn to do something other than using the internet for games. Overall the internet can be very helpful for all kinds of research and shouldn't mainly be used for fun games.

ErgonomicsErgonomics is the safe physical use of the computer. This may include:

– Picking the right mouse and keyboard. Arthritis can develop from constant typing and clicking.

– Sitting up straight: Make sure you are straight up in your chair with your back flat against the back and your feet on the ground.

– Maintain a safe distance from the screen. Do not sit too close, do not stare at the screen for long periods of time.

– Do not sit for long periods at a time. Frequently get up and do other activities.

– Simple exercises to warm up the body.

Ergonom

ic Illustratio

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Guidelines for teens Make sure you are not sitting too close to the monitor - about an arms length away for 40cm screens is recommended. At least every 20 minutes look away from the screen for at least 30 seconds. Remember to blink - we often blink a lot less when reading and looking at a screen, which causes eyes to be uncomfortable, blurred and dry. Use enough lighting - inadequate light can force your eyes to work more and to make you move closer to the screen. Too much light can lead to headaches and sore eyes.

Some Websites

http://digitalcitizenship.asb-wiki.wikispaces.net/Dig+Health+%26+Wellness

http://digiteen09-1.flatclassroomproject.org/Digital+Health+and+Wellness

http://lhscommtech.wikispaces.com/Digital+Health+and+Wellness

https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/heartland-digital-citizenship/health-wellness

Thank you!