1. 80% of Indian adults surveyed say their knowledge of technology has helped others avoid being scammed.

2. Over two-thirds of Indian adults surveyed (72%), say parents are relying too much on screens to keep their children busy.

3. 71% of Indians surveyed say it is very important that parents monitor their children’s activity online.

4. 38% of those Indians surveyed with a romantic partner have claimed that they spent more time with their partner while working from home.

5. 75% of Indian respondents say having smart home devices makes their home feel more secure.

6. However, over half Indian survey respondents (58%) are worried that having their smart home devices connected to the Internet is opening them up to risk.

Norton, a leading consumer Cyber Safety brand from NortonLifeLock, has released Indian survey results, detailing the use of connected devices in India as well as highlighting concerns with children’s online safety. Based on the study, conducted by Harris Poll among 1,004 adults in India, 73% of Indian adults surveyed believe children are likely to give their family members’ personal information away online.

According to the report, 71% of Indian parents with children under the age of 18 surveyed, said that their relationship with their child or children improved while they were working from home. 70% of those surveyed who are married or living with partners, say their relationship with their spouse or partner got better while they were working from home. Over half of the Indian adults surveyed have said that their relationships with friends got better (55%) and 51% said relationships with their co-workers improved while working from home. Not only that, but findings for India reveal that Indian respondents who have worked from home saved on average 9,597 INR (Indian National Rupee) per month. However, working from home had its issues for the majority, with 93% of Indian adults surveyed experiencing technology-related issues, most commonly unreliable or slow internet connectivity (52%) and frequent communication issues (47%).

Also Read: Maintain a good posture and take frequent breaks while working 

Parents need to engage with their children’s online activities:

“Our children are naturals when it comes to advances in technology, adapting to the latest gadgets to internet apps. While this is great, the research shows that parents believe they need to educate and actively engage with their children’s online activities,” says Ritesh Chopra, Director Sales and Field Marketing, India & SAARC Countries, NortonLifeLock. “This latest Norton study in India tells us that three-quarters of Indian parents surveyed (78%), with children under 18, discovered their children have done something on their smart devices without their permission. The most important aspect to internet safety for kids is that parents instill the right guidelines from an early age about the Internet and the potential hazards out there.”

The report reveals that Indian adults have strong awareness of the importance of Cyber Safety. Most Indian adults surveyed (86%) say it is more important now than ever before, for parents to talk to their children about Cyber Safety. The majority of adults in India surveyed (68%) say it is essential or particularly important for parents to manage their children’s screen time usage. Respondents in India believe Cyber Safety is on a par with teaching children healthy habits (81%), helping them be prepared for an emergency (81%) and teaching children basic life skills (78%).

The study highlights how Indian households use internet and mobile devices to stay connected with the world, combined with the concern among Indian adults on keeping connected devices and personal data safe. The research found that half of connected device owners in India surveyed (54%) are worried about someone hacking their connected devices, but 8 in 10 (80%) Indian respondents would like more information on how to keep their connected devices secure. Among the 84% of adults in India surveyed who own a smart home device, 70% take additional precautions beyond the security features built into the device to keep them secure.  Half of all adult connected device owners surveyed (48%) say they would change their security settings or passwords in situations where devices may get hacked, while most adult respondents living with at least one other person (78%) believed themselves to be the IT expert in their household.

Watch our video: Computer Vision Syndrome

The post Cyber safety : Parents need to engage with children online activities appeared first on Health Vision.

Work from home has lasted for almost a year now. Many companies have already decided to continue this concept either permanently or for few more months.  The biggest concern here is the working style which has been adopted by us. How many of us really think about our posture or the sitting position while working from home? Most of us are comfortable sitting on the sofa or on the couch, usually with the slouching back while working.

Spine related complaints on rise

Though many of us welcome the work from home option, there is a significant part of the workforce which is suffering from spine and neck related complaints and have been approaching doctors and physiotherapists for help. Also, with the schools and colleges yet to open in many parts of the country, online classes have become an integral part of the new normal. It is not only the professional who are suffering from spine complaints, but the students too.

The routine for the workers and the students is such that they get up late, grab something for breakfast, pick up the laptop, tab or the smartphone and then sit wherever they feel comfortable. It can be over the bed, recliner, coffee table, balcony, steps, dining table etc. More or less, the same routine is being followed every day. Sooner or later, they are sure to develop discomfort in the back, neck and shoulder region.

What are the major causes of spine-related problems?

At home, many do not have ergonomically designed work-stations. Poor ergonomics is one of the major causes of back pain as it puts a lot of pressure on the spine and neck. When we use the laptops with a slouched back for long hours, the spinal ligaments are strained. The furniture at home are not designed to sit for long hours. To the already existing sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercises, a wrong posture can significantly increase the risk factor of spine-related pain.

Some might dismiss that this back pain as temporary and will ease out. But what they fail to realize is that the damage is slow but steady and has all possibilities to hinder our movement in the long run and can even permanently damage the spine.

What are the right postures and steps to reduce back pain?

There is no single perfect posture as even the most upright posture can also lead to stiffness in the back region and lead to back pain. Do not lounge on your back and cross your legs while sitting.

1. Change positions : Do not sit for prolonged hours in one position. Change your positions so that you are shifting your weight. Stand up, relax and stretch by taking frequent breaks. If possible, walk for a minute or two. This way you can reduce the muscle fatigue and ensure that the blood circulation is not restricted.

2. Use pillows:  We cannot sit on firm chairs for long hours. You can use pillows to sit comfortably for long hours. Keep pillows behind the back and glutes region to sit better and give correct lumbar support.

3. Adjust workstation: Till the time you get an ergonomically designed furniture, you can follow some steps and adjust with whatever you have. Take help of your old books and raise the laptop just below your eye level. Use a small stool as a footrest and give relief to your aching feet.

4. Exercise regularly: Along with all these, exercise regularly to keep you healthy. Drink ample quantity of water and have a balanced diet. There are simple exercises for the back and neck one can do at the desk to prevent spine-related complaints.

5. visit the doctor: It is suggested to visit the doctor when you sense any discomfort in the spinal region. It is safe to visit the hospitals as all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the patients.

Dr Ravichandra Kelkar
Consultant – Orthopedics
Columbia Asia Hospital
Hebbal, Bengaluru

The post Work from home causing Spine and neck related problems? Here’s what you can do appeared first on Health Vision.