Tagged With "Problem Video Gaming"
Discussion Topic
Google’s Play Store starts requiring games with loot boxes to disclose their odds
Detailed in an article published last week in The Verge , Google Play Store (Google's app store) will require app developers to disclose the odds of winning a prize through loot boxes in their games by September 1. Loot boxes are virtual items that players can purchase for a chance to win a prize, such as a "skin" (a cosmetic element that doesn't affect the outcome of a game, like a new outfit for your character). This new policy would also include free-to-play games that offer loot boxes,...
Discussion Topic
The increasingly blurred lines between gambling and gaming
Last week, we published an article on camh.ca highlighting how the lines between gambling and gaming are blurring. The article features quotes from @Registered Member speaking about her family's experience with video gambling problems and @Registered Member speaking about how gambling elements are increasingly found within video games. Read the full article here: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/the-increasingly-blurred-lines-between-gambling-and-gaming I...
Discussion Topic
Social media, but not video games, linked to depression in teens, according to Montreal study
Screen time — and social media in particular — is linked to an increase in depressive symptoms in teenagers, according to a new study by researchers at Montreal's Sainte-Justine Hospital. Conrod and her colleague, Elroy Boers, found that the increased symptoms of depression are linked to being active on platforms such as Instagram, where teens are more likely to compare their lives to glitzy images in their feeds. The most surprising finding for Boers was that time spent playing video games...
Discussion Topic
ESports: 16-year-old Fortnite video game world champ wins $3M
This past weekend, the world's largest Fortnite esports tournament took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The tournament, where qualifying gamers compete to get the most points in the Fortnite video game in front of both in-person and online audiences, is one of many esports tournaments that take place annually. At this particular tournament, there was $30 million USD in cash prizes. The winner, a 16 year old gamer, took home a $3 million USD prize, while the second place winner...
Discussion Topic
Adult Problem Gambling Evidence-informed Web Content
Just in case you haven't heard, we recently posted a new evidence-informed web section on adult problem gambling . Learn about problem gambling in adults aged 18 years of age and older, the latest research evidence and tips for applying the evidence in your clinical practice. This is part of our evidence-informed practice web content on a variety of topics related to problem gambling and technology use. To read more, visit: https://learn.problemgambling.ca/eip
Discussion Topic
Addicted to Fortnite? Montreal law firm says video game company should pay up
Interesting read. A Montreal legal firm has requested authorization to launch a class-action lawsuit against the widely popular video game Fortnite. The legal notice was filed on behalf of the parents of two minors, aged 10 and 15. The article also states as part of their claim that the video game company purposely designs the games to be as addictive as possible. The article says that when players play the game they agree to the following: "To play the game, users must give up the right to...
Reply
Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @Registered Member. This is based on the results of one article, so it may be possible that other studies looking at the differences in problem video gaming between teens in urban and rurals regions could yield different results depending on the region, access to technology and offline activities available, among many factors. And thanks @Registered Member, I agree that it would be vital to educate students (and parents/guardians) about gambling, video...
Reply
Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming
Great question @Registered Member. I wonder as gaming and smart phone use get more recognition, there will be more references in pop culture, which will in turn bring more awareness to the issues. Just this month in GQ magazine, there was an article on cutting back on smart phone use that included several practical strategies including turning your phone to grey scale. Apparently seeing apps/pictures/games etc in grey scale is less appealing and people were found to reduce their phone screen...
Reply
Re: ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
Hi Elaine; I have a 21 year old son with ADHD since he was young, and am interested in how you did full detox on gaming, if you would be able to share this ? I am fully prepared to believe the gaming may have made the ADHD worse, so do you think the lack of symptoms could be directly related now ? My son is thinking he does not have a problem, how did you diagnose and treat your son ? Thank you.
Reply
Re: ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
I'm happy to share my experience, Suzie. It's a long story (I actually wrote a book about it). I did see my son exhibit ADHD symptoms during his worst crisis period with video gaming addiction and we can talk about that. How about we speak over the phone rather than on this forum. Please email me ar ElaineUskoski@gmail.com and we'll set up a time to talk that works for both of us.
Reply
Re: Cashing in on Mental Health?
This is a good article! Thanks Howie. CAMH has also advocated for closing hours and to not allow casinos to stay open for 24 hours. We have some other policy statements available here: https://learn.problemgambling.ca/policy
Reply
Re: Inventory of Gambling Situations mobile app now available
That's good to hear! This is a great tool for identifying situations that can lead to gambling. If you work with people with gambling problems, you should check out the webinar mentioned above.
Reply
Re: Gaming and gambling
Thanks for sharing this interesting article, Steve! This study showed that as problem gambling severity increased (in adults), so did in-game spending on loot boxes. These findings lead to even more questions, including the effects on youth with and without gambling problems, the role of loot boxes in introducing youth to gambling, and the impact that evidence-based legislation can have on preventing or limiting in-game loot boxes. What do others think?
Reply
Re: Gaming and gambling
Interesting research! The Australian Government is currently conducting a commission into loot-boxes (microtransactions for chance based items). You can read a number of interesting submissions (including my own ) on the topic. The Australian Government has also reached out to the Netherlands to clarify why they regulated lootboxes in games. Their response states: The Senate report is actually due today, but I haven't seen it yet. I've done quite a bit of work in this space. To those...
Reply
Re: 60 minutes interview
I've always loved this debate! I've always been pro-screen time but as Twenge states in the article, "it should be a tool you use. Not a tool that uses you." There are a few arguments I want to make here - having worked with children with developmental disabilities, I've seen first hand the benefits of using iPADs. Whether it be for learning receptive-identifying skills, developing fine/gross-motor skills, using video modeling to teach tasks, or tacting responses, digital applications make...
Reply
Re: Gambling for Shoes?
I am shaking my head over this one. As gambling is defined as “risking money or something of value on the outcome of an event involving chance when the probability of winning or losing is less than certain”. I would consider this ‘gambling’. Would this fall under the pervue of OLG or AGCO for follow-up? Interesting this article (referenced in the first article) speaks to the game being rigged. If it is proven to be rigged, I wonder about the fall-out, if any, for the gaming industry?
Reply
Re: Gambling for Shoes?
Interesting for sure. I would call it a form of "recreational gambling" although $5 a pop seems very high. I agree it could become a potentially risky activity for people who are more vulnerable - quite a few in Queen West!
Reply
Re: Gambling for Shoes?
Thanks for sharing the article about the lawsuit @Registered Member. It will be interesting to see whether the game has some element of skill, and whether the advertisements about it were truthful. I agree with both @Registered Member and @Registered Member that this is a form of unregulated gambling. I find it interesting how forms of gambling evolve over time and how they are now popping up outside of casinos.
Reply
Re: Sit less, play more: WHO wades in on screen time use for children
Since we are just starting to understand the impacts of screen time on youth, it is likely difficult to come up with evidence-based universal recommendations for screen time. However, in addition to the time spent using screens, I think it is also important to consider what the screen is being used for (e.g., social media, educational games, video gaming, etc.) and like you mentioned, ensure youth balance screen time with physical activity.
Reply
Re: Sleep problems in teenagers reversed in just one week by limiting screen use
Might be worth investigating what else the teens are doing in their newly found 4 hours of time not sitting in front of a screen. If they are exercising, that might be the reason they are sleeping better, rather than blue light avoidance.
Reply
Re: Google’s Play Store starts requiring games with loot boxes to disclose their odds
As a mother whose 12-year-old just spent $50 of his birthday money on loot boxes in Overwatch, having some idea of the odds of his getting the skin of his dreams would definitely have given me a better argument to dissuade him from doing this. Letting people - usually kids - know the odds would bring into focus the idea that this is gambling, and spark conversations in families that may be less aware. I do think that this kind of gambling is insidious for youth. For this reason, regulation...
Reply
Re: Blog: A Health Communication Campaign to Address Gambling Among College Students
Thanks Tiffany! Interesting blog. Really hits home the need to: 1. Develop different communications for different needs/audiences (i.e. some featuring slot machines and others sports betting); and 2. The importance of involving the target audience in the design, testing and evaluation of the communication strategy in order to minimize potential unintended negative consequences.
Reply
Re: Internet and gaming addiction – New research
"In their article in Addictive Behaviors , a team from the University of California in the US looked at 27 studies on IGD published between 1998 and 2016, to determine whether the disorder is indeed becoming more prevalent. The average across all years was 4.7%, and the results showed it has not increased significantly in the last two decades." I have not read the article in Addictive Behaviors yet but that is a surprising finding. It makes me wonder about the screening...
Reply
Re: "Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?
Hi Tanya, I just came across this study and also interesting video on loot boxes -- I dodn't know they banned loot boxes in the Netherlands! https://www.legalgamblingandthelaw.com/news/loot-boxes-deemed-as-predatory-gambling-by-a-university-of-adelaide-study/
Reply
Re: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"
Matthew, I follow a Video Gaming Support Group for Parents on Facebook (via Cam Adair of GameQuitters.com) and we share stories and information, give guidance when asked, and most importantly, we are cheer leaders for one another. It's easy, as a parent, to throw in the towel and give in, so the group helps with keeping that focus, and reminding parents that they are doing the right thing, even when It's really challenging.
Reply
Re: "Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?
I’d like to share some thoughts on the differences between loot boxes and gambling: You always GAIN something from loot boxes. Whereas in gambling, there is also the possibly that you may LOSE as well. You can’t gain financially from loot boxes as you do in gambling. Putting money into a loot box never gives you money in return like gambling does. Even though these two things don’t match the criteria for gambling that you listed in this tread, they are two significant differences. In this...
Reply
Re: "Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?
Interesting. The Skinner method used in video gaming creates the pull for longer play. Winning at random intervals has been proven to keep a player engaged long after they are even interested in the game, compared to winning each and every time time. In terms of Loot Boxes, offering a biological need like food, water, or sex always has a satiation point where one becomes full and loses interest. However, offering non-biological needs like gold coins and ammunition that will take a player to...
Reply
Re: ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
Thank you for sharing! I am happy to see this research being done. My son, in full blown crisis with video gaming addiction was diagnosed with ADHD. He was 19 years old at the time. He had been tested when he was younger and no signs of ADHD were found. Within six months of full detox of gaming, two and a half years later, the ADHD symptoms were gone, as well as his facial tics. We definitely need to see more studies and results moving forward.
Reply
Re: ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
Great article, Howie. And thanks for shedding light on your personal experiences, Elaine. It's interesting because most of the theories I've heard concerning the link between ADHD and digital media use focus on how the symptoms of ADHD (e.g., inattentiveness, impulsivity, etc.) put a person at risk for developing problematic technology use as an unhealthy way of coping with/expressing these symptoms. However, in your son's case, it appears that his video gaming preceded his ADHD symptoms.
Reply
Re: Increases in technology use among Ontario students
Thanks for sharing, Matt! I just noticed the release announcement earlier this morning too. Some interesting findings include: One-in-five (20%) students spend five hours or more on social media daily, which is significantly higher in 2015 (16%) and 2013 (11%). 30% of secondary school students spend five hours or more per day on electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, gaming consoles) recreationally. 23% of students play video games daily or almost daily. 9% of students...
Reply
Re: Increases in technology use among Ontario students
Thank you for the share. This is valuable information as we move forward in addressing hot topics, such as Video Gaming Disorder.
Reply
Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange
I agree, Lisa. I took my son for a full medical assessment at the same time I detoxed him from video gaming. I also monitored his moods very closely, with the concern of his anxiety and depression increasing, and fear of suicidal thoughts. I have also heard from one of my holistic clients her concerns after the psychologist who sees her son, for severe depression, suggesting his client should "do what he loves", however the only thing he loves is gaming, and mom feels it's making the...
Reply
Re: Screen time and ADHD
Thanks Lisa highlighting this topic and Elaine for sharing your personal experience and journey. Such an interesting topic, and the article had this to say: "But maybe the most interesting finding is that not all screen activities had equal effects. For example: Playing video games with family had no significant association with the development of ADHD symptoms, while playing video games alone (even if playing with other people online) had a strong association with subsequent ADHD symptoms".
Reply
Re: Screen time and ADHD
Great point, Lisa. When my sons played video games together and we as a family played, there seemed to be fewer issues with Jake's attention and focus. It definitely created bigger issue for Jake when he left for university and escaped into gaming in an isolated dorm room. I would like to see more research in this area, as well.
Reply
Re: Can anyone suggest an gambling clinical practice guide, that incorporates "cultural competency" on the idea of "lucky?"
Hello Bill, Please find the attached document, "A Guide for Counsellors Working with Problem Gambling Clients from Ethno-cultural Communities." On page 16 there is content related to your question. Best, Lisa
Reply
Re: How to Improve Screening for Problem Gambling - Recruiting for Concept Mapping Study
hi, do you have a website that your call could be linked to? This is because eenetconnect is a closed/shielded site which is not friendly to www interactivity beyond it's wall. thanks as useful project. Bill
Reply
Re: How to Improve Screening for Problem Gambling - Recruiting for Concept Mapping Study
Hi Bill, Thanks for the info, sorry as a new user, I was unaware of that. Information about the call and the study can be found at https://www.guilcherlab.com/re...t-opportunities.html and https://learn.problemgambling.ca/eip/poverty . Thanks again, Lauren
Reply
Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming
I am located in a rural county of Ontario with no access to transportation and a high rate of low income families who struggle to have access to sport available in our community, having said that you would think that problematic video game use would be more of an issue for the youth in our rural areas.
Reply
Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming
I like your idea Tiffany of adding safer gaming practices into curriculum with safer gambling information. I also think that there is a need for a paired curriculum for parents/guardians on both of these topics, especially as technology use is so ubiquitious. I wonder how influential overall wellness and mental health education would be at addressing some of those underlying issues and how students would respond if the curriculum not only taught safer gambling and gaming practices, but...
Reply
Re: Addicted to Fortnite? Montreal law firm says video game company should pay up
I agree that transparency around risks from developers would be beneficial for consumers. Something like pop-up messages (similar to those in casinos) after playing for extended periods of time might be helpful and easy to implement. I think open conversations and advocacy with developers may lead to changes without regulation in any given jurisdiction (especially with video games being a global market). An example of where developers have started taking a step to help inform consumers in a...
Member
Registered Member
Member
Registered Member
Reply
Re: Research on Parent-Child "Technoference"
Such interesting findings! I wonder if the length of time that parents spend with their children make a difference to the level of technoference experienced, and in turn the behavioral outcomes - as stay at home moms of little ones under 5 spend a lot more time with their kids, and likely experience this to a greater degree than parents who work. I also wonder if there are any mediating factors that might reduce the behavioral problems seen in young children as a result of technoference?