MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 29th May 2025
Women Hit Hardest by Tech Neck New Data Reveals: Teens & Kids Also at Risk
"Get the heads up on tech neck!" – National Spinal Health Week is 26 May to 1 June 2025
According to the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), Tension Neck Syndrome, a debilitating condition commonly known as 'tech neck' or 'text neck' that develops from overuse or misuse of technology, is having an increased impact on the spinal health of Australian women, teens and children.
"The independent national survey, 'The impact of tech neck and neck pain in Australia' conducted by award winning global research company Pureprofile revealed that while men are affected, women are the primary sufferers of neck pain in every age bracket, except 51-60, with women aged 31-40 (73%) are most impacted, reflecting a life-long, daily exposure to tech," said Dr Ali Young, Chair of the ACA Women in Chiropractic committee and mother of two.
"According to the survey 68% of women reported device-related neck pain across all types of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and game consoles, and are experiencing a higher prevalence of neck pain than men for each length of timeframe devices are used," she said.
"Women consistently reported higher neck pain rates across all devices and settings (home and workplace), and were significantly more affected by chronic pain, mental health impacts, and productivity loss," she said.
The survey found that women using laptops were 23% more likely than men to sit at non-ergonomic desks at work which was associated with a 16% higher incidence of neck pain than in women who used an ergonomic workspace. Additionally, women were 31% more likely to slouch while using laptops than men, with 86% of female 'slouchers' experiencing neck pain compared 75% of slouching men.
Women were also 30% more likely than men to experience neck pain when using a tablet at work while seated at a desk without ergonomics; and at home, female tablet users seated on the floor reported a 79% higher prevalence of neck pain than men.
"What the data tells us is that neck pain is a widespread, increasingly gendered issue in Australia, with 68% of women compared to 60% of men reporting symptoms, most linked to poor posture, extended screen time, and non-ergonomic device use," she said.
"Maintaining correct posture, correct ergonomics and taking regular movement breaks, significantly reduced neck pain prevalence. Smartphone users who took regular breaks reported 33% less neck pain, while 85% of women device users who never took breaks experienced neck pain - compared to 61% of women who did.
In a separate survey of ACA Chiropractors, a worrying trend observed since COVID-19 is that the cases of children and teens experiencing neck pain has surged making them vulnerable to spinal health issues and additional health implications now and in the future.
"ACA Chiropractors reported a sharp rise in tech neck among young people with 34% reporting a 'significant increase (+25%)' and 27% a 'moderate increase (11-24%)' in teens. 29% reported a 'significant increase,' and 25% found a 'moderate increase' in children experiencing tech neck so it's vital we educate kids early on healthy device habits to help prevent long-term neck-related health issues," said Dr Young.
A range of studies have shown smartphone and computer use can have a significant impact on pain severity among tech neck sufferers with the most prevalent symptoms of neck and back pain linked to the length of time spent using a device and the degree of discomfort experienced.
A recent study 'The Association Between Mobile Phone Usage Duration, Neck Muscle Endurance, and Neck Pain Among University Students' published in Nature (29.8.2024), examined the correlation between phone use, duration, addiction, neck muscle endurance, and neck pain in university students.
"Although the study focused on mobile phone use by university students, with almost 87% of Australians now regular smartphone users, it's fair to consider the findings may be broadly applied to the population generally, particularly young people who've grown up using smartphones and tablets," said Dr Young.
Overall, the national consumer survey conducted by Pureprofile showed that 64% of Australians reported experiencing neck pain (68% of women versus 60% of men) – much higher than the official statistic of 1-in-5 people with 70% of neck pain sufferers reporting neck pain impeded their movement or day-to-day activities.
"With technology an essential part of our everyday lives, not only must we monitor the length of time we use our devices, but we must be cognisant that overuse and the way we use them can negatively impact our spinal health as well as our mental health.
"With only 36% of neck pain sufferers being aware that their neck pain was linked to device use, to help prevent users developing tech neck it's imperative we adjust our thinking on how we use technology, how often we use it and the way we use it," said Dr Young.
"Of concern, 38% of neck pain sufferers did not consult a healthcare practitioner, and only 29% sought a formal diagnosis. Instead, 78% of neck pain sufferers used over-the-counter pain relief and 47% relied on prescription medication. While more men preferred taking tablets, women used them more frequently with men 26% more likely to use prescription medication for their neck pain," Dr Young said.
While medications may offer temporary relief from neck pain, academic studies, including research from the University of Sydney, show opioids do not benefit people with acute neck or back pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and have no positive role in treatment; comparatively, studies have shown that commencing treatment for tech neck promptly is crucial in preventing further functional decline and progression to a chronic condition.
Tech neck isn't only affecting Australians' physical health, sufferers are reporting that their mental health and productivity is impacted with 24% experiencing higher irritability, 20% noticing poorer concentration and 23% had sleep disruption; with women 43% more effected by productivity loss than men.
"With over 80% of ACA Chiropractors surveyed reporting 50% or more neck pain patients said their mental health had suffered; 87% reported higher irritability, stress and poorer concentration; and an alarming 47% reported experiencing depression or anxiety because of neck pain, preventing tech neck is best," she said.
"The ACA recommends limiting recreational screentime to two hours per day, holding devices at eye level to prevent bending the neck forward, changing posture and taking regular breaks every ten minutes to look away from the device and move the neck from side-to-side," Dr Young said.
Incorrect and non-ergonomic use of computers is also a primary cause of tech neck. Although most common among office workers, with 75.5% of Australians aged 16 to 64 using computers daily, incorrect use and non-ergonomic workspaces can lead to a range of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
"With MSDs, including tech neck, costing the Australian economy over $55 billion annually through direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life, the burden on Australians and our economy is significant.
"Whether using a laptop or a desktop at home, for study or work; it's essential to take regular postural breaks every 30 minutes for movement and stretching and ensure workstations are set up ergonomically correct to help prevent tech neck, increase productivity and maintain overall spinal health and wellbeing," she said.
With millions of Australian women suffering from neck pain, and data revealing that our children and young people are at risk of tech neck, national Spinal Health Week is dedicated to promoting spinal health and preventing the incidences of tech neck and related health issues in Australians of all ages.
Get the heads up on tech neck and
