What Are the Dangers of Leaving Your Laptop on Your Lap?

While your lap is a convenient place to put your laptop or notebook computer, it is not always the best option. If possible, place your laptop on a flat and hard surface such as a counter or table top. If you must use your lap, do so sparingly because the risks of keeping your computer on your lap are not worth the convenience.

Burns

• Using your laptop on your lap frequently may lead to skin burns and discoloration due to the increased temperature. Medical reports refer to this as "toasted skin syndrome," which occurs when someone frequently exposes their skin to high temperatures. In one study, a male experienced toasted skin syndrome after using his laptop on his lap for over six hours a day while temperatures reached up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The results on the skin are similar to someone who has exposed their skin at length to the sun without any protection.

Male Fertility

• Men who place a laptop on their thighs risk testicular dysfunction due to the heat transferred from the laptop, down between the thighs where it reaches the scrotum. Scientists note that an increase in temperature in the scrotum as little as one degree Celsius impacts testicular function by up to 40 percent. In the study conducted at Stony Brook University, men who had a laptop balanced on their laps for an hour saw an average increase from 2.6 to 2.8 degrees Celsius in scrotal temperature.

Overheating

• Your laptop may overheat if you use it on your lap where it cannot get proper ventilation to disperse heat. Since the components in a laptop are so close to each other, when they all are working at once heat quickly builds up inside the case. The fans may cool the components enough to keep them operating but over time overheating damages electronic components. Always use your laptop on a flat surface that does not block the vents and fans or use a cooling pad underneath it.

Pregnancy Discomfort

• Although using a laptop on your lap does not pose an immediate risk to a developing fetus, the awkward position may cause discomfort in the lower back or wrists. Minimize discomfort by using the laptop with proper posture.