Tagged With "affected others"
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Canada-focused resources for keeping youth safe online
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has two excellent resources for parents, caregivers and professionals who would like more information about keeping children and youth safe online. Protectkidsonline.ca has a range of information covering issues such as cyberbullying , exploitation , healthy relationships and online boundaries. This site also separates information by age brackets so information is tailored for children and young people aged 5-7, 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15 years.
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The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021-22
Common Sense Media have published their annual report from a large-scale, national survey of U.S teens and tweens on their media use habits. The report compares media use by teens and tweens before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the report, the authors present some recommendations for caregivers and parents as well as policymakers about healthy and safe media use for young people. Below are some key findings from the report: Media use in tweens and teens has grown faster since the...
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Perceptions of Gambling Addiction on Twitter
A recent article published in the Journal of Addictive Diseases took an interesting approach to studying how people perceived gambling addiction during the Covid-19 pandemic. They analyzed Tweets in English from Twitter users in the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. They searched for Tweets that used gambling, addiction and other variations of these terms. After removing unrelated Tweets they were left with 144 Tweets. From these Tweets they inferred some of the following themes: Betting...
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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: Digital Burnout: How it May Impact Perceptions of Problem Technology Use
"Clinically, either ourselves or those we serve may not be aware of the difference in our use behaviours and patterns from 2 short years ago. In other words, what was once "high" technology use may now be necessary to complete daily tasks." - Such a great point, Rachel! I think your commentary is spot on. I've been thinking a lot about ways we "measure" or ask clients about their technology use and trying to determine when it becomes harmful. Our latest "Youth, Smartphones and Social Media"...
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article about societal impact of tech overuse
I've come across an article that steps back from an individual addiction focus and looks at our societal level of addiction to technology and its possible consequences: https://www.tandfonline.com/do...3311908.2016.1157281 The article outlines two areas of concern: reduced productivity, and insufficient input to our neurocircuitry. For productivity, they call for more research examining the optimal level of technology use before the many distractions detract from human performance. For our...
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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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Social medial and your mental health
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health Information that may be relevant to PTU Social media platforms may be contributing to decrease in other aspects of life such as sleep and interests ADLs Anxiety for checking social media too often in fear of missing out/ if there is positive or negative comments associated with your profile Depression, Self- Esteem, increase negative thoughts of self worth based on comparison and unrealistic...
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Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health?
Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU - YouTube This video focuses on how social media can have long term impacts on our mental health when our usage of it goes unchecked. Bailey Parnell talks about how the content that we consume on social media can cause us to compare our day to day lives to others "highlight reels" on social media, even when other people are individuals that we know. Understanding how these experiences of comparison affect individuals...
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Re: Video Game and ADHD Video Resource
This video is great for explaining one of the motivations for gaming and how else to possibly get that same need filled in other ways. Understanding motivation and what need is being filled by the behaviour is vital information.
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Who are Canadians playing video games with?
The Real Canadian Gamer Essential Facts 2020 was created by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and contains a range of statistics regarding who, what, when, where, and why so many Canadians turned to video gaming during the pandemic. Of particular interest to me was page 28, "Who are Canadians Playing Video Games With?", which stated the following statistics: 72% of adults play with their friends 35% of adults play with their siblings 34% of adults...
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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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Re: Gaming helps
Good point Brian, it is not helpful to demonize something that so many people do. We need to look at the pros and cons and why people do it, just like we do anything else, substance use, gambling, and so on. Your point about regulation is a good one, as we have seen with other things like gambling and alcohol.
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Re: Anxiety, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out: The impact of social media on young people’s mental health
Given the scope of this topic area, it seems necessary to "focus on our focus" and attend to health aspects of PTU while keeping an eye on other aspects of PTU (such as technology, game design, business strategy and more).It seems that the concept of "balance" is critical. Exciting ways of conveying mental "balance" seems welcome for psychoeducation approaches. The premise is that if mental health is "in balance" then behavioral addiction or substance addiction will be less likely, less...
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Gaming used in healthcare
Xbox controller helps paralyzed patients play video games | CTV News This article explains how a local healthcare facility is using adaptive Xbox controllers to bring gaming to patients who would not otherwise be able to play due to physical injuries or disabilities. It highlights the positive effects that the patients report including one who reported that it helps his confidence and another saying it helps to use his brain. They mention that with additional research they hope to share the...
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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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Mobile gaming and problematic smartphone use: A comparative study between Belgium and Finland
Mobile gaming and problematic smartphone use: A comparative study between Belgium and Finland - PMC (nih.gov) -The favorite type of gaming on smartphones was playing casual games rather than MMORPGs, which are considered more addictive games on PCs and consoles. These results are in line with other research iindicating social games, puzzle games, action, and strategy games are the most commonly played mobile games. -Downloading, using Facebook , and being stressed contributed to problematic...
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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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YouTube video about replacing gaming with other activities
I came across this video after seeing another by the same youTuber, 'game quitters', linked in a classmate's post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgC4DM1EZ5A I liked that, while the content appears to have some basis in research (presenter is citing evidence, and the content as parallels with the course content), the material is being presented by a peer and in a format that will be comfortable for many of my clients: a quick youTube video. I think the discussion of needs met by gaming is...
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Re: Effects of Video Gaming on Youth's behaviour and Mental Health
I have always been a fan of using social learning theory when working with my substance use clients, and I can totally see this with how my kids act. We went out as a Mario Cart family for Halloween last year - my son was Mario, daughter was princess peach, I was Luigi and my husband was the actual car. My 4 year old had never heard of mario - she just wanted to be the princess. After actually playing Mario Cart and some other Mario game we have, I have noticed that when she "plays princess"...
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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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Re: Gaming helps
Brian, Your article had 212 comments so it must "have something to say"! The nine points are substantive, practical, and succinct. Video games need a new image where benefits and harms are balanced. When VG developers put their heads to it, maybe the helps and harms can be integrated into each game. Is it not somewhat like driving cars, ATVs, planes, or other forms of tech except that the concerns may be more on the mental side than the physical side.
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Re: Client Video on Confidence with Gaming vs Offline World
This is an especially important video for gamers who had dreams of being the next e-sport rock star, became addicted, didn't succeed, and now believe they have no other skills to move forward with their lives.
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Re: Three hours a week: Play time’s over for China’s young video gamers
An article titled, " Draconian policy measures are unlikely to prevent disordered gaming from the Journal of Behavioural Addictions sheds some light on this and I think it's a good read. From the article: "Videogame play is normal for children worldwide, and like other leisure activities can lead to benefits for the majority and problems for a minority. Problematic or disordered play results from the interaction of multiple risk factors that are not addressed by draconian policy measures.
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Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems Podcasts
Check out a podcast that is produced and hosted by problem gambling counsellors in British Columbia - Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems. Episodes feature people with lived experience and focus on specific issues, e.g., help with gambling debt, managing online gambling and effects on family. Counsellors and other contributors also share relevant information and strategies for overcoming gambling addiction. A great resource for people facing gambling problems, along with their families, and...
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Problem Gaming Use
The following article on Problem Gaming outlines the prevalence and negative outcomes associated with gaming addiction. They highlight how the motivations for gaming do not all relate to the tendency to become addicted. The characteristics of an addictive game are also covered. The article explores the comorbidity of gaming disorder with other mental health diagnoses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552989/
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The Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning - Journal Entry
Journal article - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01731/full 1. I think it is easy for us to fall into a thinking trap of "all gaming is bad" or that there are no benefits of gaming. This article sheds light on some of the positives of gaming. 2. Researchers did find a medium-sized relation between potentially problematic video game use and poor psychological functioning with regard to general psychological symptoms, maladaptive coping strategies, negative...
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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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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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Re: Social Media and Body Image
I find this very sad. I remember being a teenager and comparing myself to other kids at school, how they dressed and looked, wanting clothes my family couldn't afford, or hearing about trips other family's went on. There was also TV and magazines, but as a teenager I cant imagine having images of unrealistic body types, other people's fancy clothing and trips and presents being splashed on a screen at me constantly, and having a constant feeling of wanting more or something different.
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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: Phubbing
Wow! This is interesting. I totally agree that using a phone when with someone is like not being fully present. Many of us do this without thinking of the impact of a seemingly trivial action. We do this with other things too, like eating and scrolling, etc. We live in a distracted and multi-tasking world. No judgment but there are implications. We are never fully present in whatever we do and go through all of life never being fully present and then come to the end of life, and wonder where...
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Webinar Reply! Demystifying the link between problem gambling, cryptocurrencies, and other financial assets
On Wednesday June 15 2022 GGTU hosted Dr. Devin Mills who presented during the webinar entitled “Demystifying the link between problem gambling, cryptocurrencies, and other financial assets” With the increased accessibility created through financial apps more people are able to engage in cryptocurrency and financial markets. However, with this engagement comes the possibility of these assets being used to gamble problematically. In this presentation, Dr. Mills presents the latest research on...
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Less Addictive Apps and the Addictive potential of Virtual Reality
llustration: Jessica Karl While discussions around technology use are often focused on the impacts of addictive app design, a recent opinion piece by Parmy Olson highlights an emerging trend of apps that are moving away from this type of design. Instead, she discusses apps like BeReal and Wordle that are more focused on building anticipation (by requiring user engagement once a day) as opposed to compulsive checking throughout the day. She also suggests that companies like Facebook who...
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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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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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Re: Turning off notifications, does it actually help?
I turned notifications off on a couple apps that I was using and I found it very helpful. In fact, I also deleted another social media app altogether and I dont feel the need to check it. I dont have a strong fear of missing out. I do notice though that these apps do their best to try and get you back, by maybe sending emails or other types of notifications to entice you to come back. I wonder about the methodology of the research that gave the results that they got.
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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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Effects of gambling on families and partners
Gambling-related harms can affect families, partners and those closest to the people who are engaging in problem gambling behaviours. Concerned significant others or "affected others" can also be financially, emotionally, or otherwise impacted by a loved one's problem gambling behaviour. Greo has recently shared three research summaries exploring some of these harms: Gambling-related harms experienced by affected others: A Finnish population survey : http://ow.ly/fFc750K7h0E The impact of...
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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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Special Report: Be Prepared to Address Technological Addictions in Psychiatric Practice PETROS LEVOUNIS, M.D., M.A.
https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2022.2.4 This is a good overview article and raises some good points to consider when working with clients and families: Different segments of the population may be more vulnerable to different types of PTU. For example, youth may be more vulnerable to problematic gaming but seniors may be more vulnerable to problematic on-line shopping / gambling Suggests using the criteria for on-line gaming disorder to apply to other forms of PTU...