Tagged With "Technology Use"
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Webinar Replay! Bridging the Digital Divide to Optimize Health Outcomes and Experiences for Youth
On Thursday July 21, 2022, GGTU hosted the final installment of the three-part webinar series, The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Mental Health and Addictions. Dr. Skye Barbic (UBC/Foundry) and Al Raimundo (Foundry BC) co-presented this latest webinar titled, Bridging the Digital Divide to Optimize Health Outcomes and Experiences for Youth . In this webinar, the speakers described the digital health needs of young people accessing youth mental health services and outlined current ways in...
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Turning off notifications, does it actually help?
With the constant bombardment of notifications from our phones many of us feel the need to distance ourselves from these distracting alerts. So instinctively it makes sense to turn them off so we check our phones less. However, a recent study by Liao and Sundar (2022) presented research that may call into question this practice. The authors used an app to track 138 iPhone users for four days. The app tracked: Whether notifications were turned on or off The number of notifications...
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Re: Reflections on a Webinar Series: The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Mental Health and Addictions
Such a thoughtfully planned and executed series, @Registered Member. I thought they all addressed very interesting areas of our work and I particularly liked Part 3 and getting to hear about all the innovative work Foundry are doing out in BC to ensure youth can contribute to and use such an effective platform to connect with services.
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Reflections on a Webinar Series: The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Mental Health and Addictions
In late 2021, I curated a three-part thematic series of webinars for the Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (GGTU) program to host in 2022. This series was titled, The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Mental Health and Addictions . Each webinar invited different experts to present on a topic that demonstrates key intersections between technology use and well-being. The series was comprised of: Part 1: ‘Swipe sesh’: Exploring the impacts of dating apps on mental health among adults ,...
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Re: Reflections on a Webinar Series: The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Mental Health and Addictions
Thank you, Marie-Claire! Especially for your expert technical and planning support throughout. I agree about the presentation that showcased Foundry's innovative approach. New app development benefits greatly from the meaningful inclusion of those who will use such tools in their design and promotion.
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State of the Research: Gaming Disorder (YouTube)
This 12-minute video (Youtube) is a great, accessible summary of the research into Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). The presenter discusses the current debate surrounding the diagnosis criteria of IGD, concerns from some researchers and clinicians, along with the corresponding research papers. This is a visual, interactive way of accessing this information that can often feel quite technical and dry. We cover similar topics and discussions in our Introduction to Problem Technology Use...
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GGTU digital newsletter: September Issue
Check out our new digital newsletter for September 2022. It features recent news articles, statistics/research, conferences, education and training, all happening in our sector. We also have our online survey for digital products we plan to launch in the upcoming months, so your feedback is so appreciated. Check out our "Meet the Team" section too, where we showcase work done by our team. In our second instalment of Meet the Team, we introduce you to Marie-Claire Conlin, Education...
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Screen Time - effects on the social, cognitive and emotional development of children and youth
https://informedfutures.org/wp...tive-development.pdf ; The article speaks to the effects of ‘screen time’ on the emotional, social and cognitive development of children and youth, including gaming, social media, and educational type virtual activities – both positive and negative. It mentions some emerging evidence on structural changes within the brain associated with increased use and how it relates to non-educational screen time. It mentions a factor around ‘stimulation overload’...
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Is Facebook creating "iDisorders" ?
1. This article dated back in January 2013, focusing on the technological use of various means and media on symptomology of mood disorders and examines the impact of attitudes toward technology and multitasking in addition to tech related anxiety around the inability to check devices as frequently as desired. 2. "iDIsorders" was defined as "...the negative relationship between technology usage and psychological health", suggesting implications around heightened usage being negative. 3. In...
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What are your training needs related to Gambling, Gaming and Technology use?
The Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use (GGTU) team creates training products and resources for clinicians working in the area of addictions and mental health. We would love to hear from you through our survey about how we can better serve your training needs. Your participation in our survey allows us to continue to deliver high-quality knowledge mobilization, learning enrichment resources, and programs. The survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes. All survey participants will be...
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Dispelling Myths Around Youth Gambling
When it comes to gambling, there are many misconceptions — and perhaps the biggest one is that youth don’t (or can’t) gamble. That’s because we often associate gambling with playing poker or blackjack in a casino. But gambling takes many different forms. In fact, 68 per cent of Ontario youth said they participated in a gambling activity in the past 12 months, according to YMCA’s Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) Youth for Youth Digital Media Awareness Campaign in 2020. YGAP defines...
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Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use
The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and...
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Re: Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use
Interesting findings. This makes me wonder how adolescent "unstructured leisure time" has changed historically since the internet/computers entered the scene. These days, without structure, adolescents seem drawn to tech use because of how easily accessible it is, and how rewarding it can feel in the moment. I wonder whether there's something to the idea of promoting "unstructured non-tech use time". I know how thinly stretched parents can feel, and how parents can feel the urge to drive...
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IPTU Fall 2023 TEDtalk- Technology Addiction and What you can do about it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0adeZP6aDQw TEDtalk- Technology Addiction and What you can do about it. Ben Halpert TEDxSaintThomas (2015) Entertaining Talk about h ow society is guiding children from infancy to adolescence raised on technology- in many aspects of their lives and ways to balance technology use to prevent overuse and addiction. This is very applicable to the course as it highlights common themes that people may take for granted without considering the consequences. Ben...
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Re: Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use
Really interesting insights Sharon! I think this might be worth thinking about how society has changed. It used to be unstructured time when technology wasn't as prevalent meant kids would go outside and play with the neighbors or their friends and learn how to socialize/interact in person there. With the rise of technology, it's less effort to just socialize at home on your phone/computer for the same effect and there might be fewer kids out and about to go and socialize in person even if...
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Re: IPTU Fall 2023 TEDtalk- Technology Addiction and What you can do about it
Thanks for sharing that Ted Talk. As a parent of a toddler, this hit home! It boggles my mind how tech is being promoted as a great way to engage your toddler... those potty examples were hilarious. The research on toddlers using tech is pretty clear... steer clear as much as possible. I like this presenters suggestion about starting the conversation about tech early from parents to kids, and keep it going. Parents are ultimately responsible for teaching and helping kids set boundaries with...
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Re: "Tech execs protect their kids from their own products."
So relatable Sharon. Yes those working directly in their field of expertise know the problems that arise and are more apt to do more prevention. I'm not surprised to hear tech experts, shield their children from devices. With any field of expertise this exists. Bankers, know too well about the scams, and can thwart many of these issues - especially for on-line issues. Doctors, probably so careful about germs/disease prevention and do things that common public doesn't. Tech and Security...
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Re: IPTU Fall 2023 TEDtalk- Technology Addiction and What you can do about it
Thanks Sharon. I also thought his examples were funny but seriously relatable. Tech has advanced and been integrated in our lives too quickly to be able to navigate it. It is great when people makes suggestions on how to avoid problems and do harm reduction- especially for parents.
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IPTU Fall 2023: Social media gets teens hooked while feeding aggression and impulsivity, and researchers think they know why
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health...rain-nov14-1.7029406 Dr. Murthy, US Surgeon General identifies social media as an important driver in the youth mental health crisis. On average, women 18-22 in Canada 56% would be considered "clinically addicted" to their phones - use disrupts sleep, learning, relationships. This is true for about a third of men of the same age group. Changes to the brain including decreased serotonin hypothesized. This matters since there are many poor mental health...
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Re: Digital media: Promoting healthy screen use in school-aged children and adolescents
generally speaking the benefits outweigh the risks in matters of technology. Yet i am concerned it dehumanizes us ,in particular the young , formative brains of children and adolescents. They live in a virtual world , which is disconnected from the real one. The technology can be cold and impersonal. I am going to a northern Ontario hospital for locums. There they had a nice program for local artists , be they patients , visitors , doctors , nurses etc. On a big wall , they were exposing...
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Technology Use to Address Loneliness among Older Adults
This research study is about addressing loneliness and social isolation among older adults. It was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic to measure the impact of technology to address loneliness and social isolation. The results indicate a need for technology-assisted interventions to be designed and delivered with older adult’s values, motivations and capabilities in mind. The main findings of the study indicate: - Addressing loneliness and social isolation among older adults was a key...
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How does phone use effect us?
I found this video interesting because it doesn't just touch on what is happening in our brains that is changing due to phone use, but it also talks about the change in our physical appearance due to phone use. I found the very first fact very interesting that out of the 7 billion people on earth 6 billion have a phone and only 4.5 billion have access to a toilet. This also made me wonder if these were mobile phones or if this was also regular phones as I felt this number was rather high. I...
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What social media does to our brains?
I chose the video below because it clearly talks about how social media and our phones are feeding our dopamine fixes. This is what makes us continually look at our phones. I was also very interested in how he said the algorithms of social media are very smart in the way they keep us wanting to look at social media. This is almost an uphill battle. We may want to stop and look away however our brain and body are telling us "No we like it keep watching", the creators behind these apps are...
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Re: What social media does to our brains?
Recently, I was surprised to learn that there are teams of psychologists involved in social media development and ongoing maintenance, in a similar way that they are involved in video game creation. Social media is designed to be engaging, and uses psychology to keep us in a state of constantly wanting more. It's wild!
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Social Media during COVID
This study explored social media's role in feelings of fear during COVID. 86% reported fear or panic (many females) regarding health information (misinformation) that was posted on social media. Levels of fear response differed by age and gender with more females reporting higher levels of fear, which can have implications on mental health.
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How to Overcome Social Media Addiction
https://ctrinstitute.com/blog/how-to-overcome-social-media-addiction/ Internet Use, Social Media, and the Brain Due to the effect that social media and internet use has on the brain, these activities can be both physically and psychologically addictive. brain receives a rush of dopamine which causes us to feel pleasure(ie update/notifications). Social media and the internet provide immediate access to information and endless amount of instant rewards in the form of attention from others for...
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Looking for materials
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has some resources available to share? My colleague and I will be working with a person who has problem gambling issues, whose first language is Arabic. This is a first for us so we have no resources in this language and although we will be utilizing an interpreter for the sessions, some resources in Arabic would be so helpful. I have asked COSTI already and they didn't have anything readily available to share. Thanks!