Many users addicted to the internet, or using computers out of compulsion at the workplace, often complain of stiff muscles in the neck and back, or aching fingers and wrists. Many other complaints could relate to fatigue, eyesight, loss of sleep, and so on. The list might indicate that these problems have surfaced in increasing numbers more as a result of constant use of computers for long durations, and at all times of day and night. In some cases, prolonged use of computers might even translate into psychological problems which might be complex enough to warrant treatment for long durations.
Medical practitioners the world over have realized the need for proper advice to all concerned on the use of computers, so that problems can be avoided. Such advice is acknowledged by the designers and manufacturers of computer hardware, who can then incorporate changes in the design to facilitate comfort for the user. Such a change could be an improved layout of the keyboard to reduce stress on the fingers and wrists, or the computer screen could be made anti-glare to reduce stress on the eyes. The computer industry is busy innovating all the time, and it is easy to incorporate improvements in the next batch that goes into production.
For individual users, the advice from medical practitioners as well as the industry could include safe operating practices, like keeping eyes a certain distance from the screen, keeping the viewing angle a certain degree below the horizontal, sitting with a straight back, take frequent breaks, and so on.
In the end, the user must be able to perform all required functions on the computer, with negligible or minimal stress, even after long durations on the computer. This is perhaps a challenge, and research continues in these areas. This matter assumes greater significance, since a vast majority of the world’s population is using computers, and millions of new and inexperienced users are being added each year. If unchecked, problems related to computer usage might balloon into epidemic proportions in all global regions.