Tech Neck in Kids: What Phones and Screens May Be Doing to Growing Bodies
Phones, tablets, and computers are part of everyday life for kids now.
The problem is not simply “screen time.”
It is often the position they stay in while using the screen.
Looking down for long periods can increase neck flexion, encourage forward-head posture, and keep the neck and upper back in one position for too long.
What Does the Research Show?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of children and adolescents found that prolonged mobile-phone use was associated with 36% higher odds of neck pain. Longer overall screen time also showed an association with neck pain in sensitivity analysis.
Headaches may be part of the picture too. A study of more than 1,000 high-school students found an association between heavier computer use and neck pain, while headaches were also common in the adolescent group studied.
More recent research has also looked at the lower back. A 2026 meta-analysis found a dose-response relationship suggesting that each additional hour of daily screen time was associated with about a 26% increase in the odds of low-back pain in children and adolescents, although the authors noted substantial differences between studies.
What Can Parents Do?
The answer does not have to be “no screens.”
A few simple habits can help:
- Bring the screen closer to eye level
- Avoid long periods of looking straight down
- Take regular movement breaks
- Change positions often
- Encourage daily physical activity
- Pay attention to persistent neck, shoulder, back pain, or headaches
The big idea is simple:
Growing bodies do better with movement than with hours spent in one fixed position.
If your child regularly complains of neck pain, back pain, headaches, or discomfort with movement, it may be worth having the problem evaluated rather than assuming it is just “bad posture.”