Feeling nauseated, lethargic or tense in the temples? It could be your smartphone’s fault.
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Harvard medical school researchers recently told The New York Times many people experience cyber-sickness without knowing it – suffering symptoms akin to motion-sickness after being online.
![NECK PAINS: Border Hands on Health massage therapist Louise Moffitt, who regularly treats phone-related cases, massages Marijke Gibbons. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG NECK PAINS: Border Hands on Health massage therapist Louise Moffitt, who regularly treats phone-related cases, massages Marijke Gibbons. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ellen.ebsary/e2ae3492-5928-4db9-87e5-f18b2eff0954.jpg/r0_560_3456_4918_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
RMIT school of business, IT and logistics lecturer John Lenarcic said the illness could be caused by viewing moving stimulus while stationery, similar to the way watching 3D movies could make you queasy.
“It links into research dealing with motion sickness in playing computer games,” he said.
“A lot of the interfaces that we have, when we use them we’re sitting down.
“Subconsciously you feel that you’re moving when you’re not.”
He said the increase of videos on social networking sites could lead to more people experiencing the illness.
“Now that the interface is so sophisticated and realistic, that kind of adds to the vertigo effect,” he said.
“Some people might be more prone to it than others but research has indicated that people who aren't prone to it in the traditional way can experience it in this way.”
Albury child and adolescent mental health service clinical leader Karen Black said the wider issue of smartphone-induced health complications needed to be addressed.
“In terms of cyber-sickness I personally wouldn't say that social media use causes illness,” she said.
“But certainly social media use can cause eye strain, neck problems and sleep disruption.”
Ms Black said she was astounded by the number of Australians who had vitamin D deficiencies, linked to people staying inside to be able to view their screens.
Border Hands on Health remedial massage therapist Louise Moffitt said she had seen an increase in cases of young people with bad posture due to mobile use.
“Our clients have issues because of using mobile phones,” she said.
“Constantly looking down can produce decompression in the vertebrae.
“Over years it can cause a lot of issues.”