Experts Warn Against Heavy School Backpacks and Safety Risks in Cars

With the new school year starting, health and education experts are raising concerns about the dangers of overloaded school backpacks for children. Students often carry heavy loads including textbooks, laptops, sports gear, and water bottles, which can strain their young bodies. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights signs of excessive backpack weight such as children leaning forward to support the load, difficulty walking, and shoulder straps digging into their shoulders. Dr. Sadika Kennedy, a senior physician at the academy, notes that while there is no universal recommended backpack weight, heavy backpacks increase the risk of injury from falls or trips.

Educators and parent groups recommend regular "content checks" of backpacks to remove unnecessary items like extra toiletries, decorations, or non-essential school supplies. Some schools have started allowing parents to leave laptops at home in the evenings or avoid carrying books not needed for that day to reduce the burden.

A critical safety warning from experts is that children should never wear their backpacks while riding in a car. Wearing a backpack during car travel can interfere with the proper function of seat belts, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury in the event of sudden braking or a collision. This advice aims to protect children’s safety both on their way to school and during transportation.