Tagged With "TED ideas"
Discussion Topic
Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange
An interesting look at writer, Ian Bogost's thoughts on Gaming Disorder. Clearly, he has not had first hand experience with a gaming addict when he argues that "games don't provoke physical reactions like tolerance and withdrawal the way narcotics do." I would suggest that he spend time in a room with a child who has visible tremors, brain exhaustion, and erratic and sometimes violent reactive behavior when withdrawing from gaming. What are your thoughts on his idea that a "Behavioral...
Discussion Topic
[Anonymous, Online Academic Study] Testing a web-based application for Depression and concerning gambling! (Canada,14-40 years)
Researchers at the IWK Health Centre have built a web-based app to help people change their behaviors to help improve their mood. We are looking for participants all around Canada to use it and tell us what they think about it. If you are, or know someone: Who is 14-40 years old? Who sometimes feels sad, down, or depressed and/or has little interest in doing things? Who often feels like gambling? This is a Canada wide study and there is no need to travel, as all study activities take place...
Discussion Topic
Can anyone suggest an gambling clinical practice guide, that incorporates "cultural competency" on the idea of "lucky?"
thanks for considering, Bill
Discussion Topic
Ontario Place to be the new location for a casino?
Just in case you missed them, here are two recent articles published in the Globe and Mail on discussions to build a new casino at the Ontario Place location. Gambling industry eyes Toronto waterfront’s Ontario Place - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-gambling-industry-eyes-downtown-waterfront/ Ontario Finance Minister open to idea of a casino on Toronto’s waterfront - ...
Discussion Topic
How mental illness is discussed on the internet
armchair diagnosing is dangerous In the article linked above, they discuss one social media influencer who has created an 8 part documentary series examing the perceived mental health issues of another social media influencer. One of the concerns that gets examined is the idea that they lump bad behaviour in with mental health issues. This can have the impact of increasing stigma for those who deal with mental health issues. Another concern noted is that the one influencer is talking about...
Discussion Topic
And the debate continues: Study links excessive screen time to developmental delays in children
This Canadian Study found that "one in four Canadian children are not developmentally ready for school by the time they start kindergarten, and that excessive screen time may be a key contributor". The study found that children were watching television or using digital devices for an average of 2.4 hours a day at age two, 3.6 hours at age three, and 1.6 hours at age five. The article references back to a statement (posted here earlier) released by Britain’s Royal College of Paediatrics and...
Discussion Topic
Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time
Longitudinal data from adolescents and young adults show no evidence that social media use predicts later depressive symptoms. However, the findings do show that relatively higher depressive symptoms predicted later social media use among adolescent girls. This research stands in contrast with recent claims that adolescents' use of social media may lead to depression, claims based primarily on studies that examined associations between average social media use and average well-being measured...
Discussion Topic
Can technology use help with anxiety and depression?
In a TED Ideas piece that came out late last year, author Chris Dancy discusses how technology has helped him deal with his depression and anxiety. He uses technology to: log his physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, feelings, thoughts, and behaviours during a panic attack or depressive episode and then reflects on these digital logs as a way to know what to expect and that he can make it through watch videos of others with similar struggles so he doesn't feel alone track his app usage...
Reply
Re: Can technology use help with anxiety and depression?
Whether it is to temporarily distract from the overwhelming feelings or to learn more about strategies that work, it seems the best use of technology when one tries to find help from available resources in absence of another instantly available professional help. In practice, I often suggest the clients take the help of YouTube videos for guided meditation, positive affirmations, etc.
Reply
Re: Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum
Thank you for organizing another great forum, Colleen. I appreciated being able to both attend and speak on a guest panel. I thoroughly enjoyed Dr DiClemente's talk and had a take-away or two from each of the breakout sessions I attended. A brilliant idea to end with Diana Tikasz's presentation on Refilling the Well. It serves as a great reminder that self-care is vital. It was great to make new friends and contacts. And the Marriott Hotel did an exceptional job as hosts of the event.
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: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"
I too agree with your thoughts, Elaine. Thanks for sharing. The stories of parents and children with lived experience can provide some of the most valuable and insightful information on how we can effectively raise awareness about this issue and think about strategies towards recovery. This makes me think about the idea of family peer support groups , in which families with lived experience come together and support each other and exchange tips/strategies. Thanks again for being such an...
Reply
Re: Can researchers tell how general populations feel by monitoring twitter?
Fascinating study of a great number of Tweets. I like the idea of using the results in creating more viable treatment plans.
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: 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: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange
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...
Reply
Re: And the debate continues: Study links excessive screen time to developmental delays in children
I wonder too if it is about the quality of the screen time, not just the quantity. For example, my 2 year old has learnt the alphabet and counting from 1 to 10 through looking at an educational show on Netflix. I think the author Alicia Lieberman who wrote "The Emotional Life of the Toddler" also comments on the fact that this is a complex issue. If you watch something together and talk about it, it can be a bonding experience, but I agree that too much does not seem like a good idea.
Discussion Topic
Mindfulness and problem gambling treatment.
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...
Reply
Re: Getting started on our online community
Hi, my name is Andrew Karagianis. I'm a Social Service Worker/Gambling Addiction Case Worker at Good Shepherd Ministries in Toronto. I'm part of a 3-year Gambling Addiction Pilot Project, which is addressing problem gambling among adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I first heard of this community of interest at a CAMH training course last week, and thought it would be a good idea to join, and see what I can learn from other people!
Discussion Topic
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for problem gambling manual
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...
Reply
Re: Movies on problem gambling, gaming & tech use
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.
Discussion Topic
Webinar Recording (+ answers to your questions) - Teens and Smartphones
Thank you to all of you who came to this weeks' webinar: Teens and Smartphones: Exploring young peoples’ views of smartphone etiquette, ‘addiction’ and healthy tech use habits. You can watch a recording and download the slides here by toggling to the 'Archive' tab on this page (the recording begins around the five-minute mark). I answered several of your questions during the session but wasn't able to answer all questions so have tried to do so below. Thanks again to everyone who came, it...
Discussion Topic
The Inventory of Gambling Situations (IGS) for working with clients with gambling problems.
The IGS is an excellent tool that counsellors can use when working with someone with a gambling problem. Here are some of the benefits of using it: It’s a well validated assessment tool. It is based on the idea that excessive gambling is a result of learned behaviour and therefore can be changed Provides insight into client’s specific gambling pattern and the situations that are most likely to lead to problem gambling behaviour Although developed from a CBT perspective, the IGS can be used...
Reply
Re: Funding for Interventions
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...
Reply
Re: Anxiety, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out: The impact of social media on young people’s mental health
I find it useful to be aware of when I'm looking for gratification in my own tech usage. Love this idea of training students about the risks inherent in social media, that kind of primary prevention is just golden.
Reply
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...
Discussion Topic
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...
Discussion Topic
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...
Discussion Topic
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...
Discussion Topic
What makes TikTok so addictive?
What Makes TikTok so Addictive?: An Analysis of the Mechanisms Underlying the World’s Latest Social Media Craze – Brown Undergraduate Journal of Public Health - This article analyzes the reasons why TikTok's popularity is blowing up. One interesting idea is that the act of swiping through your curated "for you" page can induce a 'flow-like' state for users, characterized by high-focus and productivity - The article also touches on the short length of the videos, referencing that short form...
Reply
Re: Phubbing
This is interesting - it grabbed my eye first because I had no idea what Phubbing was! I see this daily - I notice it at home a lot and see how it can be harmful to building relationships - and when I think about the way parental tech use can impact child development and attachment, it is something I need to pay more attention to. Thanks for sharing!
Discussion Topic
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.
Reply
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 ...
Reply
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...
Discussion Topic
"Tech execs protect their kids from their own products."
https://www.fastcompany.com/90900166/tech-social-media-protection-children#:~:text=But%20even%20as%20Big%20Tech's,products%E2%80%94for%20their%20own%20kids. A colleague of mine shared with me how tech executives shield their own children from the tech products they help promote. I wanted to look for an article shedding more light on this. I think the bottom paragraph of the article was telling, the idea that these companies tout how they have "parental controls", but in reality, they take a...
Reply
Re: IPTU Fall 2023: Social media gets teens hooked while feeding aggression and impulsivity, and researchers think they know why
Interesting article. This idea of social media causing aggression is new to me. I'd be curious to hear more about this. I wonder whether solely reducing the amount of social media would reduce the potential for aggression or if there are other factors to consider. The other line in this article that rang true was: "Just because something makes you feel good doesn't mean it's good for you,"
Discussion Topic
IPTU Fall 2023- How to Break Your Social Media Addiction - YouTube
YouTube - Thomas Frank He acknowledges benefits of social media- but suggests some tips for harm reduction. He is not an addiction expert however I like his suggestions. See full details below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGe_cG3g6kw 1. Silence/Remove notifications- Dopamine rush when you receive these. Nothing wrong with looking at apps/posts, but when looking at something in response to a notification ,you establish a craving for it, a habit so when they come in future- you will have...
Discussion Topic
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...
Reply
Re: Short Video - Calling it addiction?
This individual seems to be leaving out some key addiction theory and accepted facts within her explanation. 1) The idea that addiction has to lead to physical health issues, such as needing a transplant - we tend to only see this in substance use addictions as physical drugs interact more directly with the body. If we work under this assumption though that you can only become addicted to substances, not behaviours, we need to discount the evidence that we have build over decades that...
Reply
Re: Instagram vs. Reality: The Pandemic’s Impact on Social Media and Mental Health
Interesting that there was an expectation of social media being a benefit for people with social anxiety, and turned out the be the opposite. I would have agreed with the idea that it could be a stepping stone.
Discussion Topic
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.