The debate over mobile phone use in schools is intensifying, especially as new research exposes the alarming physical toll it takes on children. As a result, many schools in England have been taking initiative to ban phones during the school day. But for many young people, the damage may already be done—some of it irreversible.
Recent findings from the Royal Society of Medicine’s inaugural Aesthetics Congress revealed a growing concern known as “tech neck,” a condition resulting from prolonged smartphone use. Dr. Rowland Payne, a leading dermatologist, and Zoe Barley, a medical student at King’s College London, highlighted the strain that comes from constantly looking down at a phone. When a person’s head is tilted at a 45-degree angle—the position most phone users adopt—its weight increases from 5kg to a staggering 22kg, comparable to lifting a large pumpkin.
Children, in particular, are susceptible to this issue. Dr. Payne warned that tension in the trapezius muscles can spread from the neck to the temples and jaw, leading to severe migraines, joint damage, and even long-term dental problems such as chipped teeth and the need for root canals or implants. The physical consequences don’t stop there. Teachers are increasingly reporting weak core muscles and poor posture in children as young as four, some of whom struggle to sit upright at school due to long hours spent slumped over devices.
The rise of “tech neck” is a stark reminder that phone addiction isn’t just a mental health issue. Prolonged mobile phone use can also contribute to physical problems, such as poor muscle development, tension headaches, and even dental damage. These findings should be a wake-up call for parents and educators alike, raising the question: How did we ignore these issues for so long?
While phones may be indispensable in the modern world, it’s becoming clear that their overuse poses risks beyond just disrupted sleep or anxiety. Children glued to screens may face impaired cognitive development, lack of physical activity, and even a higher risk of brain tumors from prolonged exposure to phone radiation. The physical and mental costs of unchecked smartphone use among children are becoming impossible to ignore.
If schools continue to follow the lead of those banning phones during the school day, it may help curb some of these harmful effects. But for many children, the damage may already be done, and it’s time to seriously rethink how we let technology shape the next generation.
