Are Cell Phones Mutating the Shape of Our Bones?

What if cellphones were so powerful that they could mutate the shape of our bones? This intriguing new topic has been making waves in the media recently. It originates from a scientific report suggesting that the use of phones and tablets can cause serious, long-lasting changes to our bodies in ways we might not expect. Over the past few years, a study conducted by David Shahar and Mark Sayers, who specialize in biomechanics at Australia's University of the Sunshine Coast, has delved into this phenomenon.

Biomechanics examines how mechanical laws apply to living organisms, from how humans run to how insects beat their wings. Shahar and Sayers' study also involves osteobiography, which is used to determine what someone's life was like from their bones. It's long been known that skeletons adapt to a person's lifestyle, with every set of bones telling a story. For example, unusually large skeletons found on the Pacific island of Tinian in 1924 were explained by the stone structures nearby; working with heavy stones had naturally developed bigger arms, legs, and collarbones.

In Australia, Shahar and Sayers believe that modern technology is shaping young people's skeletons. How? It's related to something called an EOP, or external occipital protuberance. Some experts and commentators have colorfully described it as a "phone bump" or a "devil-like horn." In reality, the EOP is a bone growth at the back of the skull, connected to the nuchal ligament, which plays a crucial role in connecting neck muscles to the skull. The EOP acts like an anchor at the top of the nuchal ligament.

The researchers' study involved examining chiropractors' X-rays of people aged 18 to 86 to gain an updated insight into how skeletons change. Many of these X-rays were taken to investigate neck pain, and the study also considered the health consequences of these changes. Shahar and Sayers noticed that the EOP appeared to be more widespread in young people. They hypothesized that the posture while constantly checking phones and tablets was a significant factor. During screen time, the neck instinctively cranes forward, putting extra pressure on the area where the skull meets the muscle. To compensate, the EOP gradually grows longer, an effect referred to as "text neck."

The findings revealed that EOPs were mostly found in men. In 2016, Shahar and Sayers reported larger EOPs in 67% of men compared to 20% of women, based on a test group of 218 people. By 2018, they had examined 1,200 people, finding that males were five times more likely to develop these large "text necks."

What is the potential impact on humanity? While there are concerns about radiation from phones potentially being linked to cancer, this new report has opened up debates on whether mobile device use can cause significant health problems in the body. Shahar and Sayers described the elongated EOPs as a degenerative process, implying that things could worsen for young people if they continue using their devices. There is also "text thumb" or thumb arthritis, where the thumb can develop serious problems similar to carpal tunnel syndrome.

However, the study of EOPs and referring to them as "horns" or "spikes" has faced criticism. Some experts argue that the report is not conclusive and, like any scientific paper, makes assumptions. Archaeologists note that longer skull bones are not new and are especially common in males. Critics believe there isn't enough hard evidence to support the claim that we are actually transforming into "Hellboy" by using our cellphones.

So, are Shahar and Sayers onto something, or have they simply taken long-established facts and fitted them into their own explanation? Either way, there's no denying the dramatic impact technology has on our lives. The idea that upcoming generations are changing due to constant interaction with their devices is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Ultimately, it will be the archaeologists of the future who make that call. Maybe they'll have big spikes sticking out of the back of their necks—who knows? So, perhaps a little more time walking in the park and a little less playing Angry Birds would be wise.

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