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Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use Community of Interest

The Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use Community of Interest brings together addiction and mental health service providers, researchers and subject matter experts in the fields of gambling, technology/Internet use and video gaming to collaborate and share knowledge on emerging trends and clinical best practices.

Tagged With "Video Gaming Addiction"

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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
Thank you so much for sharing the article, Elaine. It was very thought provoking. I had some initial responses to his article (in italics). My Responses to “Why Is There a ‘Gaming Disorder’ But NO ‘Smartphone Disorder’ article in The Atlantic by Ian Bogost on June 28, 2018. The ICD has not "decided" that if you play video games a lot, you might suffer from a mental health issue: Gaming disorder.” They have determined based on research and consultations with experts that those that are...
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Re: DOTA 2 coming to Vancouver

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing this article, Beth. The popularity of e-sports seems to have grown exponentially over the last few years, drawing in more and more fans and cash prizes. For example, right here in Toronto taking place from October 26 to 28, is the EGLX video game expo. As part of the expo, there will be the live World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) Canadian Grand Finals. $150,000 can be won by the Canadian qualifiers, which will enable them to eventually compete for $5.5 million in the...
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Re: CBC News for Kids

Registered Member ·
Thanks to Lisa and CBC. I know the withdrawal can be a lot harder for some children and it can create a lot more family conflict than this clip portrays. But seeing the child's perspective, as he processes how much better he feels, after stopping the game, is encouraging.
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Re: Are Video Game Developers Really Helping Combat Addiction?

Registered Member ·
Hi Elaine, I wonder what sort of parameters would make the video games less addictive? Specifically in Nintendo's case? From my experience, Nintendo, as a platform, is probably the least nefarious game producer in the world when it comes to manipulating addiction. They do not exploit loot boxes to the same degree as other developers, their online capacities are minimal, they encourage same-screen multiplayer in many of their games and they are more family oriented. I think parental controls...
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Re: Are "Free" Video Games Really Free?

Registered Member ·
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Also, to note is that gamers are purchasing Skins (virtual goods) within a game, believing they enhance their online social status (they believe those who have attained many of these Skins must be better players) when they have no direct influence on the outcome of their game play. In terms of reducing or avoiding financial disaster, besides never giving a child their credit card, parents can help a child create a budget and use the child's earned or gifted...
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Re: Podcast Interview on Video Gaming Addiction

Registered Member ·
I thought this was such a powerful and honest conversation about the realities of problem video game for youth and their families. Thank you for sharing, Elaine!
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Re: Gambling Among Adults Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness: A Training Video

Registered Member ·
The video really highlighted for me how gambling looks different for different populations.
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Re: ESports: 16-year-old Fortnite video game world champ wins $3M

Registered Member ·
Interesting piece of information. I never took this computer games seriously. The tournaments are making them even more exciting for kids and teenagers, making our job harder to keep them away from electronics. Honestly, I am going to take a closer look at the game 😉
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Re: ESports: 16-year-old Fortnite video game world champ wins $3M

Registered Member ·
Fortnite was cited as a reason for more than 200 divorces almost a year ago. https://nypost.com/2018/09/14/...estroying-marriages/ Don't look too closely at the game....
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Re: CTV interview Should addiction to video games be considered a disease?

Registered Member ·
Great interview, Lisa! Lots of important information. Here's a brief article that highlights some of the negative consequences from the perspective of people with lived experience. This article also highlights the website/resource "Game Quitters". https://www.thestar.com/edmont...-need-more-help.html
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Re: CTV interview Should addiction to video games be considered a disease?

Registered Member ·
Here's another interesting article (academic article) looking at Internet Gaming Disorder. This systematic review focuses on definitions, symptoms, prevalence, and aetiology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.co...f/10.1111/dmcn.13754
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Re: CTV interview Should addiction to video games be considered a disease?

Registered Member ·
This is an article that features the concerns some scholars have about gaming being included in the ICD-11: "Scholars' open debate paper on the World Health Organization ICD-11 Gaming Disorder proposal"
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Re: How "Fortnite" is changing the gaming market

Registered Member ·
There is definitely a lot of buzz around this game! It is a consistent theme that companies target untapped markets and begin targeting them to increase profits. I think this is an important part of increasing public awareness so people can make educated choices about what they participate in.
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Re: Blog on WHO's decision to include gaming disorder in the ICD-11

Registered Member ·
Great blog Lisa. You ask: What do you think the government and industry responsibility is to regulate video gaming and create less addictive games/apps? I also wonder what the role of the industry should be. Can/should they regulate themselves or should the government impose regulations? The video game industry has much to gain by encouraging/hooking players into ongoing and continuous play. The Entertainment Software Association of Canada describes themselves as the voice of the Canadian...
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Re: Subscribe to lottery tickets???

Registered Member ·
This is a game changer (no pun intended). It's unfortunate that there is no self-exclusion mechanism on this web page, as this is another avenue to increase the harm associated with gambling...unless this falls under the internet gaming category on OLG's site . I agree with Steve's comment about this being representative of a balancing act. However, I feel like they can promote their products but still use harm reduction messaging to target priority populations.
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Re: "Are video game transactions too much like gambling?"

Registered Member ·
I agree that this is a form of gambling. Although it is not necessarily new for the element of randomness to be incorporated as a marketing tool in children's toys/entertainment (I am thinking of hockey/pokemon cards or the "L.O.L Surprise" dolls) the relative ease and speed of purchasing loot boxes in a video game is concerning to me.
Discussion Topic

Podcast recommendation: Digital wellness, tech use and video game addiction

Registered Member ·
Hi folks, I'm hoping to share interesting resources each week on the topic of problem tech use and digital wellness. This week, one of my favourite podcasts tackled this topic along with problem gaming. It's about a 45-50m listen, perfect for a socially distanced walk or to help you get through the weekly chores: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YJVMZhsHlrQq3PKf6p7mo Description: Nadja Streiter, LMSW is a psychotherapist and parent coach, as well as Director of Programs at Game Quitters. She...
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Assessing gaming disorder: Expert opinions

Registered Member ·
Gaming disorder can be difficult to assess, as there are concerns about over pathologizing normal or potentially healthy behaviours. A new study surveyed 29 international experts until consensus was reached about useful criteria for assessing gaming disorder. This study helps clinicians with creating their own assessments to ensure they're looking at the most relevant features in their assessment to target as well as ensure they're not problematizing less relevant features. An interesting...
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Canada Passes Single-Game Sports Betting Bill

Registered Member ·
Canada’s Parliament voted Wednesday to pass the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. Read more...
Event

Webinar: The Game Of Life

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Mindfulness and problem gambling treatment.

Registered Member ·
A few years ago, problem gambling clinicians in Ontario began introducing mindfulness groups to clients as they felt that they could benefit from cultivating greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions while detaching from and not giving in to them. This practise is particularly relevant to people with gambling problems who tend to hold incorrect or erroneous beliefs about the nature of random chance (Toneatto et al., 1997; Turner, 2006) and engage in automatic thinking before, during...
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Re: What are your professional goals for 2019?

Registered Member ·
I would love to learn more about seniors and gambling. Since a large portion of casino organized tours cater to the senior population, i'd like to learn more about susceptibility to gambling disorders in seniors.
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Re: What are your professional goals for 2019?

Registered Member ·
I would like to know more about the status of loot-box games and how they might be regulated in the future. Additionally, I would love to come across research on cross-over patterns of addiction between substances, behaviours (eating disorders, fitness) and gambling. How at risk is the problem gambler to developing another addiction during gambling sobriety?
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What are your professional goals for 2019?

Registered Member ·
Since 2018 is coming to a close in less than two weeks, let's discuss our 2019 professional goals. What gambling-, gaming- or technology use- related topics do you hope to learn more about in the new year? Personally, I would be interested in learning more about adolescent problem gambling. There is lack of research in this area, and high percentages of youth experiencing gambling problems, so I think this is an important area for more research and education. I would also be interested in...
Discussion Topic

CTV W5 Segment on Video Gaming Addiction

Registered Member ·
For those who may have missed it, here's the CTV W5 documentary on Video Gaming Addiction which features my son's journey. https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/six-ways-to-tell-if-your-child-is-addicted-to-video-games-1.5320645?fbclid=IwAR0lM3p3pYf9i_xksLohdkfAaO6fC0tJ3Z_Dsm0gd_O7KaDdkydmRiiDBVI
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Re: Movies on problem gambling, gaming & tech use

Registered Member ·
Molly's Game - She runs a high stakes poker game for prominent stars and mafia. She then finds herself in trouble after the FBI finds interest in her. The Gambler - a professor is addicted to gambling and finds himself in trouble with his enemies. Mississippi Grind - a man believes his new found friend is a lucky charm when it comes to gambling. These are only a few off hand. Since I have a great interest in problem gambling prevention, awareness and addiction, I often look for movies of...
Discussion Topic

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for problem gambling manual

Registered Member ·
In Ontario, treatment for people with gambling problems was first implemented in 1995, in response to the opening of the province’s first commercial casino in Windsor. With extensive clinical experience and excellent research since then, knowledge about what constitutes effective treatment has been growing, but no one approach suits everyone. Treatment services have instead tended to adopt an eclectic and holistic approach, incorporating a biopsychosocial-spiritual model that draws on...
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Re: Movies on problem gambling, gaming & tech use

Registered Member ·
Amazing @Registered Member! Thank you so much, I have already downloaded a copy (and attached here in case others are curious to check it out). Also, I would welcome an updated article.
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Re: CTV W5 Segment on Video Gaming Addiction

Registered Member ·
Thanks for posting the link Elaine! This is on my to-watch list and we have a monthly team movie club where we watch documentaries about gambling, gaming and tech use so we'll all be able to watch as a team too!
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Re: CTV W5 Segment on Video Gaming Addiction

Registered Member ·
Oh we'd love that! If you'd like you can email my CAMH email so I have you contact details and we can let you know as soon as we have a date set, it would probably be some time in late April/early May marie-claire.conlin@camh.ca
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Re: CTV W5 Segment on Video Gaming Addiction

Registered Member ·
I am delighted that you will be using the documentary clip for your team movie club. If I can, I am happy to join and fill in the blanks with my son's story for those who have any questions.
Discussion Topic

Serious games, mental health apps, and gambling disorder

Registered Member ·
The title of a recently published article, A Serious Game to Improve Emotion Regulation in Treatment-Seeking Individuals With Gambling Disorder: A Usability Study , peaked my interest for a few reasons. First, being part of a group of folks who design and create learning opportunities for mental health and addictions clinicians, we have talked about integrating "serious games" (broadly defined as games with educational or informational aims, vs. purely entertainment) into our course design.
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Re: Funding for Interventions

Registered Member ·
Hi Olive I can't find the original document but it is called Ontario's problem - gambling Strategy and it has been in existence since 1996. Since 1999, it has been funded by a formula of 2 percent of gross slot machine revenue from charity casinos and slots at racetracks. The Strategy has a three-pronged approach consisting of treatment, prevention/awareness and research. I have attached a review of the strategy that was conducted in 2005. You can also find some information about it at the...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thank you again for joining us on the forum, Elaine and for offering your time and sharing your story. Watching the documentary sparked a number of initial questions and further reflections: What were some of the things that you and Jake worked on together during that time when he was first stopping/reducing his video gaming? How is Jake doing now? It appears that Jake felt like an “abstinence” approach was what worked best for him. At any point, did you ever try a “harm reduction” approach...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thanks for asking me to be a part of this event, Marie-Claire. I'm happy to answer questions in order to help others have a good understanding of gaming addiction from mine and my son's experience. Q What were some of the things that you and Jake worked on together during that time when he was first stopping/reducing his video gaming? A The first time Jake detoxed from gaming, after he had time to rest and get back on a regular sleep cycle, he joined me in morning fitness classes in order to...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
So glad to hear Jake is doing well and has family nearby and a new pet for company - I'm sure that's been great support, especially during this past year with the pandemic.
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
It's really good to hear how Jake is doing now. It sounds like having a structured daily routine with a variety of activities along with social connection and support were really important to his recovery in those early days.
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Hi Elaine! It's so great to have you join us in this space and share your knowledge and experience with us. I have a few questions for you too: Hindsight is 20/20. It always seems easier to reflect on what you might have done differently in the past when you have the lived experience of the present. Looking back, were there warning signs that you are more aware of now that you can share with other parents/caregivers? What have you found helpful when coaching parents/caregivers in relation to...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thanks for your question Anita. Q Hindsight is 20/20. It’s always easier to reflect on what you might have done differently when you have the knowledge of what came before. Looking back, were there warning signs that you are more aware of now that you can share with other parents/caregivers? A Yes, there were warning signs. Jake had lost interest in the sports activities he’d loved. He spoke mostly about online friends and much less about friends at school. He had more difficulty waking in...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
So nice to have you participate in this Q&A Elaine. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with the Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use Community of Interest.
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
My pleasure Chloe. Thank you for the work that you do.
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
That’s a wrap on day one of our Q&A discussion! Elaine will be answering questions again tomorrow until 5pm. If you would like to ask a question, simply post it by 'replying' in this thread before 5pm tomorrow (7 May, 2021). This thread is open to anyone who is signed up to this GGTU Community of Interest sub-group
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Hi Elaine! This is a really interesting conversation. Thanks for sharing your experiences and approaches that inform your work. I had a few questions I’d like to ask as well: What are some of the main challenges parents/caregivers face when addressing gaming or video game addiction with their children/kin? What have you found to be effective in addressing these challenges? Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected how you speak about gaming? In what ways?
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thank you for participating Tara. Q What are some of the main challenges parents/caregivers face when addressing gaming / video game addiction with their children/kin? What have you found to be effective in addressing these challenges? A The biggest challenge I see is that parents do not follow through with consequences of poor behaviour of their child. They don’t have clear rules in place, and so the child ends up making decisions on what is acceptable behaviour. Restrictions are not made...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thanks so much for these responses, Elaine. The emphasis on healthier communication between parents and children is clear. I appreciate, in particular, your thoughts on impacts related to COVID-19 -- there are so many overlapping issues for kids!
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)

Registered Member ·
Thanks for this question Tara Marie. As a parent, I found Elaine's response very helpful and tells me that I am on the right track.
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