Problems With School Backpacks

School backpacks can be both a benefit and a problem for students.

Children and teens wear backpacks to school and use them throughout the day. Backpacks make carrying books, laptops, notebooks and other school essentials a more organized and much easier task than trying to carry everything by hand, in a case or bag. Well-fitting backpacks allow the back and shoulder muscles to carry the load. However, for all their benefits, school backpacks also present problems, especially if a backpack is too heavy or ill-fitting.

Too Heavy

A well-fitting backpack doesn't cause pain or hinder movement. However, a backpack can be loaded with books and other items to the point that even picking it up becomes a problem. Muscles can be stretched and pulled picking up an overloaded backpack. If a backpack is too heavy, the wearer will lean forward with shoulders slumped to compensate, causing bad posture. Such a position can go from habit to permanent feature with a consistently overloaded backpack.

Wrong Fit

Another problem with school backpacks is how it fits. Backpacks need to be fitted to the age, height and weight of the wearer. A young school child should not carry a large backpack, and not only should the backpack not pinch or fit too tightly over the shoulders, the backpack should have wide straps. Narrow straps take less weight and, once filled will all the things needed for school, will dig into the child's shoulders, causing discomfort. Narrow straps or straps not well adjusted can settle on nerves, causing pain and even nerve damage.

According to Kid's Health, "Tight, narrow straps that dig into your shoulders can pinch nerves and interfere with circulation, and you might develop tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms and hands."

Uncorrectly Carried

Time often becomes a factor in not wearing a backpack correctly. Students grab the backpack and sling it over one shoulder instead of allowing it to settle on their backs as designed. This leads to strained shoulders. Wearing the backpack by one strap will cause the wearer to lean away from the weight for balance. Again, this causes problems with posture and strains muscles. This can cause arm, neck and back strains.

Balance

Problems with school backpacks include balance. A backpack, especially a fully loaded one, throws off natural balance. On stairs, inclines or in bad weather, the weight of a backpack can throw off your stride, causing you to struggle for balance.

Danger to Others

Backpacks, especially those not carried properly, cause problems for others. A person with a backpack doesn't always take into consideration the extra baggage when navigating tight quarters, stairs or when turning. A quick turn swings the backpack at those close by, who might be hit or injured by the heavy backpack.

Security Issues

Security is a problem with school backpacks. Backpacks are not secure places to keep books, your laptop or money. They are portable and, even when heavy, fairly easy to grab. Backpacks should never be left unattended when filled.

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