Year 10 · ICT · Spring 1 · Effects of IT and ICT applications; databases

Effects of using IT

TheoryPresent ▶

What this lesson covers

5.1a Microprocessor-controlled devices in the home

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 · Topic 5: The effects of using IT · Paper 1

5.2 Potential health problems

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 · Topic 5: The effects of using IT · Paper 1

You will learn to

Explain what a microprocessor-controlled device is, with examples from the home.
Describe good and bad effects of these devices on lifestyle, leisure time and fitness.
Describe the health problems linked to long computer use, and their causes.
Suggest a way to reduce each health problem, linked to its cause.

Success criteria

I can give one good effect and one bad effect of a smart device in the home.
I can name RSI, back and neck problems, eye strain and headaches, with a cause for each.
I can match each health problem to a way to prevent it.

The syllabus points for these sections

Explain what a microprocessor-controlled device is.
Describe positive and negative effects on lifestyle, leisure time and physical fitness.
Describe effects on security of the home and data security.
Describe effects on social interaction.
Describe repetitive strain injury (RSI) and its causes.
Describe back and neck problems, eye problems and headaches and their causes.
Suggest a way to prevent or reduce each problem, linked to its cause.

Key words

Say each word, then read what it means. Every one is in the glossary too.

Microprocessor: A small processor on one chip that controls a device using a fixed program.
Microprocessor-controlled device: A device whose actions are controlled by a built-in microprocessor.
Smart device: A microprocessor-controlled device that connects to the internet and can be controlled remotely.
Data security: Protecting personal data from being stolen, changed or misused.
RSI: Repetitive strain injury: pain in fingers, wrists or arms from repeated movements.
Ergonomic: Designed to fit the human body and reduce strain.
Eye strain: Tired, sore or dry eyes and blurred vision from long screen use.
Anti-glare filter: A screen cover that reduces reflected light.
Posture: The way you hold your body when sitting or standing.

The explanation

Read it here, or open the study page below to go one step at a time with things to try.

5.1a Microprocessor-controlled devices in the home

What a microprocessor-controlled device is

A microprocessor is a small processor on a single chip. It runs a fixed program to control a device.

Many household devices contain one: washing machines, microwaves, fridges, central heating, burglar alarms, smart TVs, robot vacuum cleaners.

Smart devices also connect to the internet, so they can be controlled from a phone app.

e.g.Example

A smart heating system in a Madrid flat. The owner sets 21 °C on the phone while on the metro home. The microprocessor reads the temperature sensor, compares it with 21 °C and switches the boiler on. The flat is warm on arrival.

Effects on lifestyle and leisure

Devices that run themselves give people more free time. Others make people less active.

Positive effects	Negative effects
Less time on housework (washing machine, robot vacuum, dishwasher), so more leisure time	People become lazy and rely on devices; less exercise, which can lead to unhealthy lifestyles
Devices can be set to run when nobody is home, e.g. oven starts at 6 pm	Loss of household skills, such as cooking from scratch
Smart devices can save energy, e.g. heating turns off when nobody is in	Devices left on standby still use electricity; buying and replacing devices costs money and creates electronic waste
Easier to keep in touch and be entertained (smart TV, streaming, video calls)	Less face-to-face social interaction; people stay at home

!Watch out

"It saves time" earns little. Say what the time is saved from and what people can do instead.

Effects on security and data security

Home security means protecting the house and people from intruders. Data security means protecting personal data from being stolen or misused.

Positive effects	Negative effects
Smart alarms and cameras can be watched from a phone, so the owner sees intruders at once	Hackers can take control of smart devices, e.g. unlock a smart door or watch a camera
Smart lights and blinds can make the house look occupied when the family is away	Devices collect personal data (when you are home, what you watch), which can be sold or stolen
Smoke and gas alarms can alert the owner's phone when they are out	If the internet or app fails, the owner may lose control of heating or locks

?Why?

A smart device is a computer on the internet. Anything on the internet can be attacked. Protect it with strong passwords, updates and encryption.

Effects on safety in the home

Many devices make the home safer. Smoke, gas and carbon monoxide alarms warn people early. Ovens and irons can switch off automatically.

But there are new risks. Devices left running when nobody is home, such as a washing machine or a charging battery, could overheat or leak with no one there to react.

A fault in the program, or a hacker, could switch a heater or oven on when it should be off.

e.g.Example

Exam style: "Give one positive effect of microprocessor-controlled devices on safety in the home." Answer: A smart smoke alarm sends an alert to the owner's phone, so the fire service can be called even when nobody is in.

5.2 Potential health problems

Why computers can harm health

The problems come from how we use computers: long periods, bad posture, repeated movements and screens.

In the exam, match each problem to its cause, then give a prevention that removes that cause.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

RSI is pain, swelling and stiffness in the fingers, wrists or arms. It is caused by repeating the same small movements for a long time, such as typing, clicking a mouse or texting.

Prevention: take regular breaks, use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, use a wrist rest, keep wrists straight, and do finger and hand exercises.

?Why?

An ergonomic device is shaped to fit the body naturally, so muscles and joints are under less strain.

Back and neck problems

Back and neck pain is caused by sitting in a poor position for a long time, slouching, or a screen that is too high, too low or to one side. Using a laptop on your knees or a phone looking down makes it worse.

Prevention: use an adjustable chair with back support. Put the top of the screen at eye level.

Use a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor. Sit up straight and take breaks to walk around.

Eye problems and headaches

Eye strain (tired, sore, dry eyes and blurred vision) is caused by staring at a screen for a long time, glare, flickering screens and poor lighting.

Headaches have similar causes: glare, screen flicker, poor lighting, bad posture and long periods without a break.

Prevention: take regular breaks and look into the distance. A common rule is 20-20-20: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet (6 m) away for 20 seconds.

Also use an anti-glare screen or filter, adjust the brightness, use good lighting with blinds, and have regular eye tests.

Health problem	Cause	Prevention
RSI	Repeated typing, clicking, texting for long periods	Regular breaks; ergonomic keyboard and mouse; wrist rest; hand exercises
Back and neck problems	Poor posture; badly placed screen; unsuitable chair	Adjustable chair with back support; screen at eye level; footrest; breaks to move
Eye strain	Staring at screens; glare; flicker; poor lighting	Regular breaks; anti-glare filter; adjust brightness; blinds; eye tests
Headaches	Glare; flicker; poor lighting; long periods at screen	Anti-glare screen; good lighting; regular breaks; eye tests

!Watch out

Match the prevention to the cause. "Take breaks" fits everything, so examiners often reward it only once. Give a specific second method, like an anti-glare filter for eye strain.

Study it

Open the study page and go one step at a time.

ICT topic 5

Check yourself

One question at a time. The reason shows after each answer.

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