British health experts are warning children who spend hours sending text messages can develop debilitating repetitive strain injury in their thumbs.
"Physiotherapists are recognizing text messaging regularly, over a long period of time, could cause RSI," said Bronwyn Clifford, of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics. "The thumb is not a very dexterous digit. It is good at grasping but not good for repetitive movement."
The association recommends youths spend no more than 10 minutes texting, and encourages they try to use fingers as well as thumbs, the Daily Mail reported.
"As mobile phone technology develops, handsets are getting smaller with buttons closer together," Clifford said. "Small, fine movements tend to aggravate more than larger movements."
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