Ergonomic issues are productivity issues. 

Remember how carpal tunnel syndrome was a result of typing and keyboards (although not limited to that activity)?  The repetitive stress creates pressure leading to musculoskeletal disorders.  Our texting teens may soon be faced with their own repetitive damage as thumbs become cramped and painful from prolonged texting.

According to the Nielsen Co., American teens sent and received an average of 2.272 text messages per month during the last quarter of 2008.  That translates to almost 80 messages a day.  This is double the rate of the previous year, and you know it will continue to increase.

Ergonomic issues are productivity issues simply because pain and discomfort are distractions in your day.  Time management training concentrates on limiting distractions so that you can concentrate on the work at hand.   It is hard to focus on details when you hurt.  It behooves us to think about solutions now before we have a young workforce that is struggling through the results of too much texting.

Of course, texting is not limited to teens but this is where the first problems are showing up because of the extended use.  The first step is awareness, followed by a search for solutions.