Tagged With "Screen time"
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In the news: (CBC) Ford government could lose $2.8B over 5 years in online gambling bet, confidential report warns
A CBC article published today outlines how the Ontario government could lose up to $550 million in annual revenue with the arrival of the online gambling market in Ontario ($2.8 billion over the next five years). The projections, outlined in a private and confidential report to one of Canada's largest gaming companies, suggests that the province is set to lose money due to individuals spending more money on online gambling and moving away from land-based casino gambling (the taxation rate is...
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Supporting African Caribbean Black (ACB) Women with Gambling Concerns: A Best Practices Guide for Professionals – A wonderful collaborative article and a must read from the team at Jean Tweed and their project partners.
As February comes to a close with us celebrating and honoring Black History Month , we are only mindful at GGTU to ensure we send out a tribute to the Jean Tweed article, spearheaded by Angela Allen. This well written guide needs to be shared within our community since it shines a light on their wonderful research and helps us better understand and support African Caribbean Black (ACB) women with gambling concerns. After a thorough literature review and survey being conducted, the results...
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GGTU Training Needs Assessment
The Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (GGTU) program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health creates training products and resources for clinicians working in the area of addictions and mental health. We would love to hear from you about how we can serve your training needs better. Your participation in this survey helps us continue to deliver high-quality products and support. This survey should take approximately 5 minutes and will remain open until Thursday March 24 th at 5 p.m.
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EENet Connect wants to hear from you!
It is that time of year again and we would like to hear from you! What do you like about EENet Connect? What do you want improved? By providing us with your feedback, you can help us make the platform more useful and easier to use. The deadline for completing the survey is April 1st, so we hope to hear from you soon! The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EENet_Connect
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Digital Burnout: How it May Impact Perceptions of Problem Technology Use
Digital Burnout: COVID-19 Lockdown Mediates Excessive Technology Use Stress by Sharma Manoj Kumar, Anand Nitin, Ahuja Shikha, Thakur Pranjali Chakraborty, Mondal Ishita, Singh Priya, Kohli Tavleen, Venkateshan Sangeetha View the article here Discussions of how events of the Covid-19 pandemic might impacts various areas of human life have been a hot topic for debate over the previous 2 years. With outbreak numbers stabilizing and the resuming of "normal" daily activities more recently,...
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Re: Ontario is moving quickly to approve online gambling operators.
I recall a time when gambling was very restricted and limited in Ontario. Now it seems to be a free for all.
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Re: Digital Burnout: How it May Impact Perceptions of Problem Technology Use
Great find on an important topic! Like you said, looking at PTU based on the amount of time appears even more inaccurate now. This strengths the idea that PTU involves looking at case by case and whether or not it is causing issues for people. For example, spending 8 hours a day streaming shows when you are unable to work or engage in your normal meaning activities due to COVID lockdowns has a very different level of impact compared to spending that same amount of time streaming when you now...
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Re: Video Game and ADHD Video Resource
Hello Rosarie, Thank you for your sharing. Definitely the feedback loop is a way to tackle problem technology use. A behavioral conditioning would be useful to minimize screen time.
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The Future of Esports
The Future of Esports - INTENTA Sorry - I'm not the greatest at technology, but if you are able to access this, it is an interesting read about Esports. I had absolutely no idea how big of an industry this is! The growth rate of Esports is astonishing! The global esports audience number will pass 500 million people this year. The increase in numbers, will have more people talking, more people wanting to see what this is all about, and therefore neglecting some of their responsibilities to be...
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Re: Anxiety, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out: The impact of social media on young people’s mental health
The urges absolutely happen! I myself can go through phases where I am more mindful then others. I see many people as well in my personal life/ work life feeling the need to "check their phone". Great to discuss from an early age when its a "good time" to review your social media/ phone as to when it may be more beneficial to absorb the moment we are in.
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Re: article about societal impact of tech overuse
Thanks for sharing this! I've often thought about the impacts of PTU on our brains - as a parent of young children, I worry about how much time they spend online and how excited they get when they see something the first time and then how that continues when they watch something over and over. I think that the connection that people are getting online isn't giving what is needed for sucessful relationships. If the key to treating addiction is relationship, then perhaps there is a disservice...
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Re: Anxiety, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out: The impact of social media on young people’s mental health
I really liked this article, I think it is an interesting time to be discussing these topics while still being somewhat consumed by Covid restrictions and the world just opening back up to us. I think we can all agree anxiety, loneliness and fear, of missing out have all been very real feelings experienced by almost everyone over the past 2+ years, has social media had any positive effects on anxiety, loneliness, and fear of missing out while young people have been essentially stuck at home.
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Current topics in PTU - Video from WHO
https://theconversation.com/digital-addiction-how-technology-keeps-us-hooked-97499 The above link briefly explores how technology is designed to "keep us hooked." There is a video included from the WHO. This article/video gives a brief explanation on the effects of problem gaming and the criteria for recognizing PTU. They place a focus on the difference between problem gaming disorder, and gaming behaviour. The speaker states how problem gaming disorder can only be diagnosed over time by a...
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Re: Social media break improves mental health
I think this article will stay with me for a period of time, and I will begin discussing this in my own work with clients who have been struggling with depression, as more information into the negative impacts it can have on MH.
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FREE Virtual Webinar: When Gaming Meets Gambling
Are video games like Candy Crush gambling? How do video games promote gambling among youth? What is a Freemium Model game? All these questions and more will be discussed in this free webinar being conducted by the YMCA of Greater Toronto's Youth Gambling Awareness Program. Game-Bling is an interactive webinar designed for service providers and parents of youth, during which we will explore the dangers of the blurred lines between gaming and gambling and provide tools to understand and...
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Microtransactions in Videogames
Attached are an article and youtube video on the prevalence of microtransactions in videogames. For those of you who may be unaware, microtransactions are purchases that can be made inside a video game for cosmetic items or gameplay advantages. In many games, these purchases come in the form of a "loot box" system, where the only way to get the item that you are interested in is to "roll" for them, forcing you to buy multiple useless items as well. This is essentially an early introduction...
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Game Over: Game Quitters – Online Peer Support for Gamers
Game Over: Game Quitters – Online Peer Support for Gamers www.gamequitters.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/dyOLc5cl6ck Cam’s story is one that many would resonate with. He is the founder of Game Quitters which is an online support page for gamers who are concerned about their gaming habits. It is a safe space that offers a chance for individuals to connect with others who are experiencing similar struggles with gaming addiction. It is well formatted with resources in various forms including...
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Client Video on Confidence with Gaming vs Offline World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wngVZR8ISBU In this video by Cam from Game Quitters (a self-help group for people with video game addiction and their family that also has treatment services for a fee) outlines a common concern within the gaming community. The idea that gaming is the only thing the person can do well, and that cutting back or quitting games will take away the only way they can feel accomplished. Not only is this a fear that many clients for problem gaming can relate to, but...
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Problematic Online Behaviors Among Gamers
Article posted for COI was: Rozgonjuk, Dmitri & Schivinski, Bruno & Pontes, Halley & Montag, Christian. (2022). Correction to: Problematic Online Behaviors Among Gamers: the Links Between Problematic Gaming, Gambling, Shopping, Pornography Use, and Social Networking. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Accessed May 16, 2022 at https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11469-021-00590-3.pdf Three Bullet Points – How Article Relates to Gaming Behaviors listed...
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Therapist Survey on covid impact training needs
Research and knowledge exchange opportunity Dear EENET members: We are still conducting our survey of the impact of Covid on treatment services and service providors. Please click on the link below to participate in this anonymous survey. I've also attached a summary of the results from the first round of this survey as feedback to the EENet community. Original post. Dr. Nigel Turner at CAMH is conducting a short survey aimed towards at clinicians who help people with addictions and mental...
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Autism, PTU, and Video Game Therapy
Article Jiménez‑Muñoz, L., Peñuelas‑Calvo, I., Calvo‑Rivera, P., Díaz‑Oliván, I., Moreno, M., Baca‑García, E., and Porras‑Segovia, A. (2022). Video Games for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2022) 52:169–188. Accessed May 23, 2022 at https://link-springer-com.proxy.library.upei.ca/content/pdf/10.1007/s10803-021-04934-9.pdf How It Relates to Gaming Video game-based interventions were effective in alleviating...
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Three hours a week: Play time’s over for China’s young video gamers
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/video-games/three-hours-week-play-times-chinas-young-video-gamers-rcna1816 In 2021 China imposed restrictions on video game play for under 18’s, 1 hour of play Fri, Sat, and Sun between 8pm and 9pm. An intervention China said was required to “pull the plug on a growing addiction”, gaming once described as “spiritual opium”. Has this been helpful, should other countries adopt this strategy? In China gaming companies are required to have Real-name verification...
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Video game play is positively correlated with well-being
Video game play is positively correlated with well-being | Royal Society Open Science (royalsocietypublishing.org) - This study shows an overall positive correlation between video game play and an individual's mental health - It studies people playing the new Plants vs Zombies and Animal Crossing games, which are fairly "casual" gameplay experiences. I am curious what the study would look like when run on more "competitive" gamers like MMO, MOBA and FPS players - They also noticed an...
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Social Media and Body Image
Social Media on Body Image: How Do Socials Affect Self-Image in Kids? (gabbwireless.com) - discusses how youth's body image is negatively impacted by the time they spend on social media comparing themselves to their peers, celebrities and complete strangers - the impact that these comparisons can have include body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, insecurity and the development of eating disorders - all these issues can overlap with addictions and other areas that clinicians work in - article...
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Re: Social Media Addiction
This article points out many negative consequences of social media addiction that are very similar to the ones that were mentioned in the article I read. It also mentions that time spent on social media was positively related to depressive symptoms in high school students in the USA and Serbia. This is something that is particularly important to clinicians such as myself who work exclusively with youth.
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Phubbing
Video Phubbing (Phone Snubbing) – A 3:55 minute interview with Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, Relationship Expert, Northern Illinois University by WGN Evening News (Chicago) on April 6, 2022. Accessed May 28, 2022 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyiOQq3lwgM How it relates to problem social media use Phubbing (ignoring other individuals by using a mobile phone during a face-to-face conversation) is a result of smartphone use and is noteworthy because it can impair communication between the...
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FOMO: How the Fear of Missing Out drives social media 'addiction'
FOMO: How the Fear of Missing Out drives social media 'addiction' - BBC News This article highlights three people's stories when they went "cold turkey" from social media use in highschool. They all struggled to do abstain. They all went right back to their use pre-experiment. One realised how much he had used and wanted to cut back. All of the youth noted how much extra time they had, and they were able to fill that time relatively easily, but all showed Fear of missing out on experiences.
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How the Pandemic Changed Social Media
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/quarantine-trends-social-media The pandemic lockdowns increased time spent on social media, as well as social users world-wide. The Pandemic impacted the bets time to post as many people moved to working from home, changing the typical 9-5 workday in turn changing social media peak hours. Will social media use return to pre pandemic levels for individuals or is this increase in use here to stay?
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Commentary - Chinese Video Gaming Policy
The article discusses 1) alleged ineffectiveness, 2) alleged Draconian-ness, and 3) emerging evidence of identifiable benefits. Read on if interested in these aspects of the policy! See article attached.
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Re: Commentary - Chinese Video Gaming Policy
The article discusses 1) alleged ineffectiveness, 2) alleged Draconian-ness, and 3) emerging evidence of identifiable benefits. Read if interested in these aspects of the policy. Reference: Xiao, L.Y. (2022). Reserve your judgement on "Draconian" Chinese video gaming restrictions on children. Commentary on: Draconian policy measures are unlikely to prevent disordered gaming (Colder Carras et al., 2021). Accessed June 3, 2022 at https://www.researchgate.net/p...er_Carras_et_al_2021 (pasted ...
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Re: Gambling CoP
Hi Sudha, GGTU is working on updating our digital resources, we have created a survey to assess needs, for anyone who is interested since your input and feedback is really valuable as we build this portfolio going forward. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRTYYFS Thank you in advance for your time given to doing the survey it is less than 10 to 15 seconds
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Gaming & Gambling Survey: Receive $15 Amazon Gift Card!
The YMCA-YGAP is seeking 600 youth ages 16-24 years old for a survey on gaming and gambling. Participation in the survey takes approximately 10 minutes and participants will receive a $15 Amazon.ca e-gift certificate for their time. The data from this survey will contribute to our understanding of gaming and gambling amongst youth and will help improve future educational and prevention initiatives. We hope you might consider sharing the below recruitment flyer with any youth who you think...
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Article: TikTok Is Flooded With Health Myths. These Creators Are Pushing Back.
This NYT article discusses the professionals who spend their time debunking health and mental health misinformation on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. We've also been seeing the role social media has played during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of people's access to information (e.g., vaccine availability announcements) and misinformation (promoting sometimes harmful treatments that aren't evidence-informed). This article left me with a few questions about the role that...
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Is Digital Detoxing actually effective? What does the research say?
At this point I think we’ve all heard of the impacts of smartphone use on mental health. Different strategies have been suggested as ways to reduce the negative impacts of smartphone use. One of the popular way people have tried to reduce their smartphone use is through “digital detoxing”. Digital detoxing has been loosely defined as spending time away from electronic devices such as smartphone to help promote wellbeing. But does it actually work? A recent article by Radtke et al (2022)...
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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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The TikTok-ification of Social Media
Whether you use YouTube, Facebook or other social media platforms you may have noticed some changes to what and how you are viewing the content on your feeds. For example, you may be seeing more short videos being recommended on your feeds. It’s a trend that more and more social media companies are turning towards as they compete with the short-form video platform TikTok. Shorter videos allow users to see a variety of content in a shorter period of time. They also take less time to produce.
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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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Internet gaming disorder: A real mental health issue on the rise in adolescents and young adults
https://ct.counseling.org/2021/09/internet-gaming-disorder-a-real-mental-health-issue-on-the-rise-in-adolescents-and-young-adults/ This article describes the pros and cons of playing video games and how it becomes an addiction. Video games can be a source of entertainment and relaxation, provide opportunities for social connection, and improve a person’s cognitive and communication skills. The potential negative impacts of video game addiction are insomnia, obesity, isolation, unhealthy...
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Re: Special Report: Be Prepared to Address Technological Addictions in Psychiatric Practice PETROS LEVOUNIS, M.D., M.A.
Hi Nadia, I really enjoyed reading your post. What you posted is so relevant to my current work. I am a problem gambling and behaviour change counselor for the agency I work at in Southwestern Ontario. Right now there are not alot of folks with problematic internet usage that I am seeing at this time, but the literal handful I am working with have extensive underlying mental health concerns that they are not actively managing. For the clients I am working with that do fall into this...
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Problem technology use, academic performance, and school connectedness among adolescents
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8871851/ 1. This article discuss about the problem technology use and the related effects on academic performance and student life. This article was prepared based on data collected from students. 2. The article clearly picturizes that females are more affected by excessive technology use and the resulted academic complications than male. The study also points to the fact that the connection between problem technology use and academic performance...
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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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Re: Internet gaming disorder: A real mental health issue on the rise in adolescents and young adults
This article was certainly interesting and thought provoking. I wasn't aware of the 'stages' in the process of gaming addiction development! As a single parent mom of a historically 'gaming' son (within perceived normal time limits who is now 20 and no longer games AT ALL!!) who had/has more of a natural understanding of technology overall - even parental controls could be circumvented to gain access beyond the control hours due to his level of knowledge of technology. In my mind, as a...
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Gaming and Autism
A quick google search shows that videogames can be helpful and/or harmful for Autistic youth. While video games can provide a sense of belonging and self-esteem for some autistic youth who may struggle with social skills, too much time spent gaming could become a problem. Autistic youth may have difficulty transitioning from the gaming activity to real life social, learning, and work opportunities which may be less reinforcing for them. There has been research (Beaumont et al., 2021) to show...
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Gaming addiction and poor sleep quality
Link to article: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-021-03105-5 -This article gathered data on 1040 Chinese university students and noted that those who spend alot of time on gaming have poor sleeping quality and increased psychological distress -The article noted that promoting healthy ways of gaming and using the internet can negate poor sleep quality and psychological distress -Problematic gaming and/or internet usage could be poorly measured with sleep...
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Internet gaming disorder in an adolescent during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report
1. This case study reports the case of a 16-year-old student with a "typical" pattern of internet gaming disorder (IGD) developed during the pandemic, which improved after weeks of treatment with pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions 2. This study suggest that the combination of pharmacological treatment such as antidepressants (SSRI) and antipsychotics with individual and family-focused psychosocial interventions are useful in improving problematic behaviors. 3.This study pointed...