ICT Impact on Schoolchild Health

In recent decades, schoolchildren have become active users of information and computer technologies. Nowadays almost every student in developed countries has a personal computer and access to the Internet. Due to the widespread use of ICT, it is obvious that there is a need to study the impact of ICT on health and lifestyle of the younger generation. Many studies have found a link between children's use of computer technology and lifestyle characteristics such as children's physical activity, the amount and quality of sleep, the structure of their extracurricular activities, and many more. These changes are also accompanied by changes in children's health indicators. Many authors agree that intensive use of PCs and the Internet has a negative impact on children's health. Some authors identify a significant link between the use of ICT and children’s health complaints, while others confirm the relationship of ICT with the general health of children. The empirical analysis confirms a significant relationship between children's self-rated health and the intensity of their use of the Internet. According to the analysis, exceeding a certain time of Internet use negatively affects children’s self-rated health. It is also shown that intensive use of ICT negatively affects the state of health, characterized by the presence of certain diseases. There is no clear correlation between the use of ICT by children and the extent to which these children and their families adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. The results of this research can be used to develop the concept of safe ICT use by children, adjust methodological recommendations on this issue and create information guides related to this topic.