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Thousands of Children Injured by Computers, Study Shows

by Leila Brillson on June 9, 2009 at 02:24 PM

Computers, reports the BBC this morning, are dangerous to children. Not because of online predators, brain rot, or decreasing attention spans, but, according to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, because of kids physically hurting themselves near their home offices.

In what seems to be painfully obvious, researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, Ohio say that acute computer-related injuries are preventable. How? Don't let children run around computers. As you would with any electrical device, keep open beverage containers at a safe distance. Place monitors in safe, properly stowed positions. If you are carrying a computer, don't rush. And make sure to get those easily tripped-over cables out of the way.

While all of that may be common sense for most computer-using individuals, the report cites that over 78,000 patients were treated for computer-related injuries in U.S. hospitals from 1994 to 2006. In 2002, for instance, over 30-percent of those injuries were sustained by children under 15.

Though that statistic seems high, almost every American household has a computer, so it would make sense that household-related injuries -- kitchen fires, falling down stairs, power tool accidents in the garage -- would include the nefarious computer, as well. [From: BBC]

Tags: children, computers, danger, health, kids, study, top

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