We’ve written before about “tech neck” in adults — but a growing body of 2026 research has been looking specifically at what happens to kids and teenagers, whose spines are still developing, when a large share of their day is spent looking down at a phone or hunched over a laptop. Some researchers have started calling the pattern the “digital spine.” Here’s what the current evidence shows, and what’s realistic for parents to do about it.

What the Research Is Finding

Recent studies — including a 2026 cross-sectional study of Gen Z adolescents and a scoping review on screen time and postural health in children — have looked at the relationship between screen use and posture, musculoskeletal pain, and general wellbeing in young people. The general pattern researchers are describing: more screen time is associated with more forward-head and rounded-shoulder posture, and with more reports of neck, shoulder and upper back discomfort in kids and teens.

How kids sit, backpack habits, general activity levels, growth spurts — all play a role alongside screen time itself. So the honest takeaway is screen time appears to be one contributing factor among several, not the sole cause of postural changes in young people.

Why Growing Spines Are Worth Paying Attention To

Children’s and teenagers’ spines and postural habits are still developing, which is exactly why parents are asking about this. It doesn’t mean every hour on a device is doing lasting damage — but it’s a reasonable prompt to look at how your kids are using their devices day to day, in the same practical way you’d think about any other habit that adds up over years.

Practical Things Parents Can Do

• Position the screen at eye level where possible — propping a tablet or laptop up rather than having it flat on a lap or desk reduces the amount of neck flexion
• Encourage regular breaks — a general rule of thumb is a short break every 20–30 minutes of continuous screen use, even just standing and stretching
• Build in device-free movement — sport, play, or simply time outside remains one of the most protective habits against a sedentary, hunched routine
• Model it yourself — kids and teens pick up postural habits from what they see at home
• Keep an eye on how they carry their school bag — an overloaded or badly worn backpack compounds postural strain alongside screen habits
• Notice complaints, don’t dismiss them — if your child or teen regularly complains of neck or shoulder soreness after school or gaming sessions, it’s worth a conversation about their setup and habits, not just “growing pains”

Where BPPC Fits In — and the Limits of What We Can Say

What we can offer is a musculoskeletal assessment for a teenager or child experiencing actual neck, shoulder or back discomfort — looking at posture, movement patterns and possible contributing habits, in the same evidence-based way we would for an adult, and always with full, informed discussion with parents or guardians beforehand about what’s involved and what to realistically expect.

Supporting Families Across Brisbane’s Southside

We see families from Carindale, Carina, Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Mansfield, Mount Gravatt, Belmont, Wishart, and Cannon Hill navigating exactly this — screen-heavy school and gaming habits alongside sport and everyday life. If your teenager has been complaining of neck or shoulder soreness, we’re happy to have a conversation about what might help.

Concerned About Your Child’s Posture?

If your child or teenager has ongoing neck, shoulder, or back discomfort, get in touch with our team by booking online here. We’ll talk through what’s going on before recommending anything and involve you in every step of the conversation.