Frequent computer use often has effects on student health. One of the major negative effects is lack of sleep or difficulty sleeping. Students often use their computers for longer than they anticipate, lose track of time or find themselves making excuses to continue using their computer. In addition, frequent computer use can lead to physical problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, eyestrain, backache and headache.
Frequent computer use often has a negative effect on academic performance. Students are often distracted by their computers and online activities, which can make them neglect their studies and homework, leading to declining grades. Some students attempt to multitask with their computers, such as chatting with friends through instant messaging while writing a research paper. This typically proves to be ineffective, and students who frequently use instant messaging while completing academic work often report declining grades.
Computer use can have a negative effect on socialization. The Internet presents many opportunities for online socialization, particularly through instant messaging and online multiplayer games. However, frequent Internet users often withdraw from real life socialization opportunities, declining to participate in campus activities, study groups, parties or "hanging out" with friends to spend more time online. For instance, students who play online multiplayer video games play games about three times longer during a week than those playing more traditional single-player games.
Students often bring their laptops to class for the purpose of quickly taking notes. Many classrooms are also equipped with wireless capabilities that students can use to access the Internet from their laptops. However, many students become distracted by their laptops, browsing the Internet or watching movies instead of taking notes or listening to the lesson. A professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that students in her classroom who used laptops performed, on average, 11 percent worse than nonlaptop using students. In addition, laptops can distract students sitting behind a laptop user. Some universities have banned the use of laptops in classrooms for these reasons.