As a child development specialist, a frequent question asked by parents, educators, and therapists is "Do video games improve fine motor skills"? Concerns continue regarding long durations children are spending using various technologies, and creating the need to justify high usage rates in homes, schools, and clinical settings is on the rise. Because video games require eye-hand coordination, a logical premise follows that high usage of video games would consequently improve fine motor skill. This premise is somewhat misleading though, as the majority of functional fine motor skills such as printing and reading, have no relation whatsoever to playing video games. Many factors must be taken into account in order to better understand the impact of technology on developing bodies and brains. This article intends to profile critical factors which create foundations for child fine motor development, and how these factors are both positively and negatively affected by video games. Hopefully this information will serve as a guide for parents, educators, and therapists for more judicious use of video games with young children.
The New Age of Sex Education:: How to Talk to Your Teen About Cybersex and Pornography in the Digital Age
By Jennifer Weeks
Raising children in today's always "plugged-in" digital age can be overwhelming for many parents. Children today experience near constant exposure to online activities, making it difficult for parents to keep up with the content their children are exposed to, some of which they may not be prepared to handle. Talking to their children about sex and sexuality can be extremely difficult for parents, even more so when the digital world has created easier access to sexual content. In Dr. Jennifer Week's first prevention book, parents will learn how their teens are interacting online and how exposure to online sexuality can affect them..
Make no mistake, guiding children's and teens' tech use demands far more effort from adults than just handing over a device. But that's a small price to pay for fixing what is so clearly broken in our young peoples' lives.
If you're worried that your teenager has been gaining weight lately, and if you think television, video games and Internet use may be playing a role, you're not alone.
By Erik Pepper September 18, 2016 Blanking out the memorized information that you have studied on an exam is a common experiences of students even if they worked hard.
Instead of physically harming or verbally attacking their victims, cyberbullies use the Internet, cell phones and other technology to hurt, threaten and embarrass others.
Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults.
Suicide rates for U.S. middle school students have been steadily rising - doubling from 2007-14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"As compared with adolescent boys, adolescent girls also now use mobile phones with texting applications more frequently and intensively and problematic mobile phone use among young people has been linked to depressed mood."
By Luther Elliott, Andrew Golub, Geoffrey Ream and Eloise Dunlap Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2012 Mar; 15(3): 155-161. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2011.0387
2012 study that assessed how problem video game playing varies with game type, or "genre," among adult video gamers. Participants were adults (18+) who reported playing video games for 1 hour or more during the past week and completed a nationally representative online survey.
It isn't always easy to get your teen to stop playing video games. They may not be motivated to change bad habits, or worse, they may have become addicted to video games or the Internet.
A recent study has added scientific support to claims of addiction among one notoriously dedicated group: Young video game players may actually suffer from video game addiction.
International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals December 14, 2016
Response to The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) position statement broadly stating that they did not believe there was enough evidence to accept that problematic sexual behavior and abuse of pornography can be referred to as an addiction.
The concept of sex addiction began gaining traction in the 1980s.
Professionals are divided on whether it should be officially classified as an addiction.
A new study published in the journal Injury Prevention shows that Internet addiction can lead teens to cause themselves harm through pulling their own hair or hitting, pinching or burning themselves.
reSTART Life, the leading provider of treatment services for Internet and videogame addiction is opening the first specialized treatment center for adolescents age 13-18 in the Nation. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Serenity Mountain will house 16 teens seeking a healthier relationship with screens in the digital age.
Children and teens who are diagnosed with one of several emotional and behavioral disorders are more likely than their peers to become addicted to the Internet.
The secret to ensuring that your children have a healthy relationship with the Internet and video games means effectively managing your kids' computer activities. If you can help your children learn to game and navigate the online world responsibly, you'll have gained an essential point of entry into their lives.
HouseSmartsTV - YouTube video published October 28, 2016
Technology is AWESOME! Except when it isn't. In the case of our children, it takes a bit of training and education to get them to take a break from their cell phones and video games. David Greenfield, a family expert in tech addiction gives his perspective on this topic.
To what extent technology addiction or Internet addiction can be considered a genuine medical disorder is contentious. The term has been in popular use since the mid-1990s but is still not fully recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Facing Addiction Inc. is a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis by unifying the voice of the over 45 million Americans and their families directly impacted by addiction.
Sedentary, neglected, isolated, and overstimulated, the new millennium child can no longer pay attention and learn. Zone'in Products are designed by an occupational therapist to enhance child development and learning, ensuring successful futures.
Zone'in- enhancing attention, learning and self-regulation.
Move'in - teaches children to print, the foundation for literacy.
Unplug'in - builds skill and confidence in activities other than technology.
Live'in- media literacy guide for home, school and community.
Virtual Child - The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children
By Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist.
Virtual Child documents the impact technology has had on the developing child, and proposes tools and techniques to manage balance between activities children need for growth and success with technology use.
Cris Rowan is a pediatric occupational therapist committed to enhancing child health and academic performance. Well known activist, speaker, sensory specialist and author, Cris is the "Go To" expert on child learning, development and technology overuse. Cris has provided over 200 workshops for health and education professionals, and is currently developing the Creating Sustainable Futures Program for a First Nations Community.
Training & Consultation
Training
Instructor training for Foundation Series Workshops places pediatric occupational therapists on the cutting edge as experts in the field of technology's impact on child development.
Zone'in Programs Inc. and Cris Rowan are seeking your support and assistance to ensure sustainable and productive futures for our children. Find out more about how you can help us!
