Heavy School Backpacks Pose Growing Strain on Children’s Bodies

Modern school backpacks often contain laptops, tablets, textbooks, notebooks, water bottles, lunch containers, sports gear and personal items. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that signs a backpack may be too heavy include a child leaning forward to support its weight, difficulty walking, and straps digging into shoulders. While back injuries are uncommon, the academy warns that a fall while carrying a heavy load can increase injury severity.

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Digital devices have become central to classroom work, prompting many districts to require laptops and chargers alongside traditional textbooks. In Fairfax County, Virginia, a recent reversal of a technology-focused policy has reintroduced math textbooks, forcing families to decide whether students need both books and devices each day. The cumulative effect of these items, plus extracurricular gear such as musical instruments or sports equipment, often pushes the load beyond the often-cited 10-15 % of a child’s body weight guideline, a range the academy says lacks universal evidence.

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Dr. Sadika Kendi, who chairs the academy’s injury-prevention efforts, advises that children should remove backpacks before riding in moving vehicles because the bag can interfere with seat-belt function and become a tripping hazard. She also recommends teaching children to lift backpacks by bending at the knees rather than the waist. The academy further suggests choosing backpacks with two broad, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, multiple compartments for weight distribution, and optional waist or chest straps. Wheels may help children with injuries but can pose hazards on stairs or crowded hallways.

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History teacher Samantha Ness emphasizes that parents should prioritize basic supplies over decorative or expensive items, asking how each item contributes to classroom success. Alix Fetch, speaking for Fairfax County Parents for Intentional Technology, observes that even a simple lunch, water bottle and occasional homework folder can feel burdensome when students move between classes for art, music or other activities. Both note that older students increasingly treat backpacks as personal storage, adding items such as makeup or hair dryers.

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Experts recommend regular backpack clean-outs—ideally weekly—to discard unnecessary items, empty water bottles, and remove crumbs that attract pests. When possible, schools should provide lockers or classroom storage to reduce daily carry weight. Parents can consider staggered textbook use through block scheduling and opt-out options for home-based computer use. Selecting a properly fitted backpack and encouraging children to place the bag on the floor rather than wear it in a moving car can further protect against strain and injury.

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