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EENet ConnectSubgroupsGambling, Gaming & Technology Use Community of Interest

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 "Dispelling Myths Around Youth Gambling"

Discussion Topic

Problem Tech Use - Resource for parents

Registered Member ·
Following our webinar from earlier today, Problem Technology Use and Mental Health , I thought it would be a great time to share a resource we created in 2017 for parents! A number of webinar attendees asked if we had any resources available for parents who suspect their children are engaging in problematic technology use, how parents can start that conversation with their children, and how they can get help if needed. To access this fantastic resource, please visit our website at:...
Discussion Topic

[Anonymous, Online Academic Study] Testing a web-based application for Depression and concerning gambling! (Canada,14-40 years)

Registered Member ·
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

Teens in urban regions are more likely to experience problem video gaming

Registered Member ·
Check out this post on the main EENet Connect site: https://www.eenetconnect.ca/topic/teens-in-urban-regions-are-more-likely-to-experience-problem-video-gaming?reply=366389314722069684#366389314722069684
Discussion Topic

RCMP Youth Trends Report Fall 2018

Registered Member ·
This was forwarded to me, via email, and i am passing it along. There is a lot of great information to help us understand our youth and technology better.
Discussion Topic

Teens and Social Media, suprising results?

Registered Member ·
Common Sense Media did a survey about teens and social media. The results indicated that teens felt social media made them feel better about themselves. Interestingly, they also noted that for youth who were already having a difficulty time, social media made them feel worse. Check out the infographic for information about teens and distracted driving and other aspects of their social media use.
Discussion Topic

Resource for parents

Registered Member ·
Right-by-You-A-Guide-for-Parents-Caregivers This is a resource that I found on the website jack.org. It's a site that promotes mental health awareness in youth: Jack.org is Canada's only charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health in every province and territory. We do this through three globally-recognized programs: talks chapters and summits They have resources for teachers and parents, as well as youth. It was started by some parents after their son died...
Discussion Topic

Fortnite, Minecraft chat part of an online sting

Registered Member ·
Fortnite, Minecraft used as a means to lure youth New Jersey police conducted a sting of adults talking to youth gamers and arrested 24 men. The men were arreseted after contacting what they thought were 14 and 15 year old youths, chatting with them and then arranging to meet them in real life for sex. To me, this really speaks to the need for education and awareness on the part of both the youth gaming, as well as the parents. Some much younger kids than 14 also play these games, especially...
Discussion Topic

Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
This link just came across my emails this morning. It is a Family Media Plan and Media Time Calculator. This helps families set personalized goals and rules around tech time. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx
Discussion Topic

Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Our colleagues at EENet have just released a research snapshot on their website based on research of Shi and colleagues published in the International Journal of Mental health and Addiction . The study found higher levels of problem video gaming in teens living in urban areas than in teens living in rural areas. Interestingly, they also found that teens in urban regions with a gambling problem were more likely to have a problem with video gaming when compared to teens who did not gamble.
Discussion Topic

Cashing in on Mental Health?

Registered Member ·
Interesting article from the CBC yesterday on problem gambling in BC. It's sobering to hear about the pitfalls other provinces face with respect to problem gambling prevention, protection and supports. The former Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario is referenced in here along with other Canadian sources, around the evidence supporting problem gambling. Take a read if you have a chance.
Discussion Topic

How mental illness is discussed on the internet

Registered Member ·
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

Lots of video gaming online: problem ?

Registered Member ·
hi there - my 20 year old son is playing a lot of video games online. It is a social thing as he is almost always talking to people around the world that are his friends on the different games. He can play in the night, wake up, have breakfast, sleep for a while, and not be on til the next night. He is in college and has been working part time too, but not so much as school is back. He has friends in our home location he sees in person very often during the week. But when he is not online on...
Discussion Topic

Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults Survey

Registered Member ·
Hello, we are a group of researchers, educators, and trainees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). We are working towards creating new content for current educational programs provided to Ontario high schools, colleges and universities about gambling and cannabis use in youth and young adults. Please note this is not a research project. We have created a survey to assist us in how best to incorporate the most current research...
Discussion Topic

60 minutes interview

Registered Member ·
CBS reviews research that is being done on the impact of screen time on youth This is how CBS introduces this segment on their website: "If you have kids and wonder if all that time they spend on their smartphones endlessly scrolling, snapping and texting is affecting their brains, you might want to put down your own phone and pay attention" They interview several researchers who are spearheading different studies on the impact of screen time on our brains and the impact of the "bells and...
Discussion Topic

Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults Survey

Registered Member ·
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults survey. Your feedback has been invaluable! For those who are interested and would like to participate in our short online survey, you can do so until December 31, 2018 -5:00pm (EST). https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=CKXRA4L7HA we are a group of researchers, educators, and trainees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). We are...
Discussion Topic

Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time

Registered Member ·
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

Are Video Game Developers Really Helping Combat Addiction?

Registered Member ·
Nintendo is adding parent controls to their games. This is not a bad step to take. However, many kids are smart enough to find a way to get around these. I personally think that by advertising these parental controls, Nintendo is just hoping to attract more sales to their addictive games. They can do so much more and take more responsibility in making games less addictive. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Here's the article: ...
Discussion Topic

Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum

Registered Member ·
May 9 th and 10 th , 2019 ⃒ Downtown Toronto, Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel Early bird rate closes Friday March 15th. This year’s Forum focus is “bringing together clinicians and community partners to reduce harms from gambling and gaming”. Whether you have been supporting people with gambling problems for years or you are new to the field, changes in the gambling landscape, emerging technologies, the blurring of gaming and gambling, and new insights into concurrent disorders all indicate a...
Discussion Topic

Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum

Registered Member ·
On May 9 th and 10 th , the Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use team under the Provincial System Support Program at CAMH and Gambling Research Exchange Ontario co-hosted the Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum. The forum brought together over 100 clinicians and community partners, providing an opportunity to interact and learn from each other’s experiences, broadening their outlook beyond their own practice. Dr. Carlo C. DiClemente, one of the founders of the...
Discussion Topic

The increasingly blurred lines between gambling and gaming

Registered Member ·
Last week, we published an article on camh.ca highlighting how the lines between gambling and gaming are blurring. The article features quotes from @Registered Member speaking about her family's experience with video gambling problems and @Registered Member speaking about how gambling elements are increasingly found within video games. Read the full article here: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/the-increasingly-blurred-lines-between-gambling-and-gaming I...
Discussion Topic

Panicking About Your Kids Phones? New Research Says Don’t

Registered Member ·
A growing number of academics are challenging assumptions about the negative effects of social media and smartphones on children. SAN FRANCISCO — It has become common wisdom that too much time spent on smartphones and social media is responsible for a recent spike in anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, especially among teenagers. But a growing number of academic researchers have produced studies that suggest the common wisdom is wrong. The latest research, published on...
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @Registered Member. This is based on the results of one article, so it may be possible that other studies looking at the differences in problem video gaming between teens in urban and rurals regions could yield different results depending on the region, access to technology and offline activities available, among many factors. And thanks @Registered Member, I agree that it would be vital to educate students (and parents/guardians) about gambling, video...
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
Great question @Registered Member. I wonder as gaming and smart phone use get more recognition, there will be more references in pop culture, which will in turn bring more awareness to the issues. Just this month in GQ magazine, there was an article on cutting back on smart phone use that included several practical strategies including turning your phone to grey scale. Apparently seeing apps/pictures/games etc in grey scale is less appealing and people were found to reduce their phone screen...
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Re: Gaming and gambling

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing this interesting article, Steve! This study showed that as problem gambling severity increased (in adults), so did in-game spending on loot boxes. These findings lead to even more questions, including the effects on youth with and without gambling problems, the role of loot boxes in introducing youth to gambling, and the impact that evidence-based legislation can have on preventing or limiting in-game loot boxes. What do others think?
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Re: Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time

Registered Member ·
I recently had a discussion with my father about the effects of social media and online immersion. We attempted to discuss whether or not this truly was a turning point in human history; a medium which will alter the human condition forever. I felt hesitant to oblige to such a strong prediction. As Steven Pinker mentioned in his book "The Better Angels of Our Nature", the printing press and the resulting flurry of reading material, was interpreted at the time as a scourge within the younger...
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Re: Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time

Registered Member ·
Aaron, I think you're right in that nothing is ever purely positive or negative. Interestingly, a lot of the discussion around social media use come from a place of privilege. I often think about this tweet (and link) from the Pew Research Center: "80% of blacks say social media highlight important issues that might not get a lot of attention otherwise; the same share of whites say these sites distract from more important issues https:// pewrsr.ch/2zw872s "
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Re: Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time

Registered Member ·
Hi Simon, That is a very interesting point, one of which I had not thought of before. Thank you for bringing that to my attention
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Re: Sit less, play more: WHO wades in on screen time use for children

Registered Member ·
Since we are just starting to understand the impacts of screen time on youth, it is likely difficult to come up with evidence-based universal recommendations for screen time. However, in addition to the time spent using screens, I think it is also important to consider what the screen is being used for (e.g., social media, educational games, video gaming, etc.) and like you mentioned, ensure youth balance screen time with physical activity.
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Re: Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum

Registered Member ·
@Alison Benedict and @Elaine Uskoski - I enjoyed both the Current Trends in Youth Gambling, Gaming, Technology Use and Cannabis panel as well as the Working Across Sectors to Improve Access to Gambling Treatment for Diverse Populations breakout session. I honestly learned so much from both of your talks and want to thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. Another part of the forum that I enjoyed was meeting everyone at our booth during the first day. It is always nice to hear...
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Re: Google’s Play Store starts requiring games with loot boxes to disclose their odds

Registered Member ·
Publishing the odds is very important, however I hope that these odds would be presented in easy to understand terms, instead of just numerically. We have found that just indicating the odds numerically makes it difficult to have a real understanding of what this means (for adults as well as youth). Using descriptors in easy to understand terms that are accessible and not in small print and difficult to locate would be required.
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Re: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing, Matt! I think this article provides a lot of great discussion points and things to consider. As mentioned in the article, guidelines from the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics suggest limiting recreational screen time for youth to minimize the risk of future problem technology use but I think this is just a starting point. Risk factors such as a child's developmental stage, any existing mental health problems and even what the child is doing...
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Re: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"

Registered Member ·
Thanks for your responses, Tiffany and Rebecca! I totally agree that it is important to also consider what the screens are being used for and for parents to set an example. I don't have experience working with children with problem technology use (PTU), but I do have some experience working with youth and emerging adults with PTU. Some additional strategies that I have seen to be effective in clinical practice with this population include: -using apps that block access to certain sites (such...
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Re: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"

Registered Member ·
I agree Elaine that it is so important to share our stories, so we can learn from each other. When you read a guideline or suggestion around screen time, sometimes it doesn't sink in, especially when you are dealing with toddler tantrums or pre-teen drama. But when you hear someone's story, of how dangerous and life-changing technology use and screen time can be, it really hits home.
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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange

Registered Member ·
Thank you for posting this article, Elaine! I think it is relevant food for thought for both parents and professionals. I especially like that she talks about the importance of ruling out and addressing electronics in mental health assessments. In the article, Dr. Dunkerley also says, “ Time and again, I’ve realized that regardless of whether there exists any “true” underlying diagnoses, successfully treating a child with mood dysregulation today requires methodically eliminating all...
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Re: Study on free to play gambling apps and in-venue gambling from Australia

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing this article, Beth! There are a lot of important points here about the impacts of social casino games on youth and young adults and their later involvement in gambling. To add to this, there was a paper that was published last year in our Journal of Gambling Issues by authors Michael Wohl and colleagues that discussed the good, the bad and the ugly of the relationship between social casino gaming and gambling . The authors discussed how social casino games could...
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Re: Can anyone suggest an gambling clinical practice guide, that incorporates "cultural competency" on the idea of "lucky?"

Registered Member ·
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
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Re: Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming

Registered Member ·
I am located in a rural county of Ontario with no access to transportation and a high rate of low income families who struggle to have access to sport available in our community, having said that you would think that problematic video game use would be more of an issue for the youth in our rural areas.
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Re: Addicted to Fortnite? Montreal law firm says video game company should pay up

Registered Member ·
I agree that transparency around risks from developers would be beneficial for consumers. Something like pop-up messages (similar to those in casinos) after playing for extended periods of time might be helpful and easy to implement. I think open conversations and advocacy with developers may lead to changes without regulation in any given jurisdiction (especially with video games being a global market). An example of where developers have started taking a step to help inform consumers in a...
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Re: Research on Parent-Child "Technoference"

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing the informative video, Elaine, and thanks Rebecca for your insightful questions. I think the current research article is scratching the surface and that more research and clinical evidence is needed on technoference and the long-term consequences on the parent-child relationship, the parent and the youth. As the article and Sarah pointed out (thank you!), it is likely a bi-directional relationship with many complex factors to consider. But this article does provide a great...
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Re: Blog on WHO's decision to include gaming disorder in the ICD-11

Registered Member ·
Interesting article and I do agree that caution is always a good thing when it comes to diagnosing people. I think it is important to continue to do research to help us better understand this issue. I am hoping that the inclusion of gaming disorder in the ICD-11 will contribute to further research and clarity around this problem. In response to Nigel's comment, "My caution is that we shouldn't be too quick to label people who play games a lot as having an addiction problem," I would say that...
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Re: Is Screen Time Hurting Your Heart?

Registered Member ·
Thanks for sharing, Howie! I think it's so important to highlight how sedentary behaviour, including screen use, has multiple risks associated with it across different dimensions of wellness. In other discussion threads we've discussed some of the psychosocial risks associated with screen use, and it's also important to highlight some of the physical health risks (as the article you posted suggests). The Canadian Pediatric Society has released a guide for physicians focusing on sedentary...
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Re: Interview for CBC Kids

Registered Member ·
I am so happy to hear that this topic if being addressed with youth, in a way that is relevant for them. It is so important they they have the information to understand when their gaming is causing problems and what they can do to ensure their gaming is a healthy and balanced activity.
 
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