Study says young people need to learn how to sit properly and keep active in order to be healthy and pain-free.

Youngsters are putting themselves at risk of neck and back pain because of their excessive use of technology, experts have said.

Slumping over laptops and tablets could be contributing to a rise in neck and back problems among teens, the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) said.

People working on computers and laptops have a tendency to sit in a hunched position, putting strain on their backs, the association said.

It has set out a number of tips for parents, including encouraging their children to be more active and only to sit for short periods, and teaching them how to sit properly.

BCA chiropractor Rishi Loatey said: “We are seeing more and more people under the age of 16 with back and neck pain and technology is so often the cause. Young people are becoming increasingly sedentary, which is damaging their posture.

“There is the tendency to sit in a hunched position when working on computers and laptops, putting a lot of strain on the neck.

“Learning how to sit properly and keeping active will help to keep young people healthy and pain-free.

“It’s important that parents seek help for their children from an expert as soon as any pain starts – if conditions are left untreated, it could lead to chronic back and neck problems in later life.”