Study guide · 7.4
Identify health risks associated with the use of digital technologies
Technology brings health risks as well as benefits, for the mind and for the body. This guide names the main mental and physical risks of heavy device use and simple ways to reduce them.
A study feature written by ExamDragon, not part of the real exam. Each heading is one of Certiport's skills for this objective.
7.4.1Identify mental health risks associated with online technologies
- Excessive or compulsive use of phones, games or social media can crowd out sleep, study, exercise and time with people.
- Comparing yourself with edited, idealized posts can lower self-esteem and increase anxiety.
- Cyberbullying and online harassment can cause distress, fear and isolation.
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) and constant notifications can raise stress and make it hard to focus.
- Using screens late at night can disturb sleep, which affects mood and concentration.
- Help: set screen time limits, turn off non-essential notifications, take breaks, curate who you follow and talk to someone you trust if you feel overwhelmed.
Example: A student notices they feel worse after scrolling at night, so they set a daily limit for social apps and charge the phone outside the bedroom.
7.4.2Identify physical health threats associated with computer and device usage
- Digital eye strain: tired, dry or sore eyes and blurred vision; follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet, about 6 metres, away for 20 seconds).
- Neck, back and shoulder pain from poor posture, including 'tech neck' from looking down at phones.
- Repetitive strain injuries in hands and wrists from long periods of typing, mouse use or texting.
- Inactivity from long sitting; stand up, stretch and move regularly.
- Ergonomics: top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, feet flat, back supported, wrists straight and elbows at about 90 degrees.
- Hearing damage from loud headphones; keep volume moderate. Avoid using devices while walking in traffic or driving.
Example: An office worker raises the monitor to eye level, adjusts the chair, and sets a reminder to stand and stretch every hour, and their neck pain eases.
Key terms
- Digital eye strain
- Eye discomfort caused by long periods of screen use.
- Ergonomics
- Arranging equipment to fit the body and reduce strain.
- Repetitive strain injury
- Pain from repeating the same movements for long periods.
- Screen time
- The amount of time spent using devices with screens.
- FOMO
- Fear of missing out: anxiety that others are having experiences you are not.
Easy to confuse
- Thinking health risks are only physical; mental health effects are just as real.
- Placing the monitor too high or too low; the top should be at or just below eye level.
- Believing breaks waste time; short breaks reduce strain and help focus.
- Assuming device use is harmful in itself; the risks come from how much and how it is used.
After this guide: You should be able to identify mental and physical health risks of technology use and describe practical ways to reduce them.