Approximately 40% of parents worry about the impact of school bag weight on children's posture and health; about 46% prioritize burden-reduction features

Increasing school bag weight and children's physical burden

Textbooks, notebooks, tablets, and water bottles—elementary students carrying heavy loads to school every morning is a common sight. Due to increased curriculum demands and the introduction of tablets, school bags are becoming heavier every year. What impact does this carry on their small bodies?

While 'lightness' is often prioritized, is 'light' truly the same as 'comfortable to carry'? NEXER, in collaboration with Raraya, surveyed 215 people across Japan regarding children's posture and physical burden.

41.0% express concern about school bag weight and its impact on posture

When asked if they worry about the effect of school bag weight on their child's health or posture, 14.0% answered they are 'very worried,' and 27.0% said 'somewhat worried,' totaling 41.0%.

27.0% report children complaining of physical discomfort

When asked if their children have complained of discomfort such as 'shoulder pain,' 'back pain,' or 'fatigue,' 20.0% said 'sometimes,' 3.7% said 'often,' and 3.3% said 'once.' In total, 27.0% of families have experienced their children complaining of physical discomfort. To cope, parents reported methods such as reducing the bag's weight, dividing items into handheld bags, massaging, or using padding.