One’s upper backbone area is exposed to damage from ‘text neck’ if one spends a lot of time texting or viewing content on a phone or computer with the head in a down-forward position, Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, warned on February 19.

He expressed the warning during a session between the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights and officials at the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). The session was assessing Rwanda’s efforts to prevent and treat epidemics.

Text neck is a syndrome that results from excessive strain on the neck and upper part of the backbone due to having one’s head in a down-forward position for an extended period.

It can lead to symptoms such as stiffness and tightness in the neck and shoulders, sharp and nagging pain in the neck, constant headaches, muscle soreness, and pain, and can even do long-term damage to the cervical spine (the neck area of the spine), according to Cleveland Clinic, a major US-based health facility.

"Now, there is another epidemic I think we are bracing for, which doctors treating spine call text neck,” Nsanzimana said, referring to the dangers of staying on social media for a long period with a down-forward head posture.

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Nsanzimana observed that when one repeatedly keeps their head in a forward-down position while looking at a mobile phone, computer, or other devices, the upper part of the backbone bends gradually as a result of the pressure exerted by the head weight on the spine.

The syndrome, he said, is being observed worldwide, especially among the youth, indicating that factors for this situation include social media use especially on mobile phones.

There is worry among some people that the structure of the human body might change in the future if nothing is done to change the situation, he said, pointing out that this issue must be addressed, and people, mainly the youth, should be aware of it.

According to Cleveland Clinic, keeping one’s posture straight by looking at a mobile phone, computer, or other devices while they are raised or elevated to eye level, can help prevent or address text neck.