When it comes to keeping children safe from harm, societies traditionally trusted their health, education and social governments to advise and guide them. While not every branch of government is wholly without fault, generally governments could be relied upon to act ethically and in the best interests of the public. Not so anymore. With the onslaught of advancing technology has come a rapid and questionable infiltration of technology corporations into both private and public sectors. While technology reaps obvious benefits, its long-term effects are unknown, raising serious questions regarding children. Rapid infiltration of untested technologies is occurring in many government institutions such as schools and hospitals, possibly resulting in perilous outcomes. Unbeknownst to the public, technology industry giants are challenging established institution's ethical boundaries by pushing their products on children at an unprecedented state. Schools and hospitals are opening their doors to unethical and corrupt technology corporations who have one goal - to mine data and sell product. Once revered and respected, many institutions are compromising their previous ethical standards as they strive to conform to technology industry pressure to adopt the latest and greatest AI or IT. Choosing advancing technology over the long-term health and well being of children is tragic and will likely result in child harm. Public beware of who is guiding your governments to make crucial decisions regarding the health, safety and education of your children. This article is designed to shed light on three areas where government institutions caved to technology industry pressure, swaying them toward unsafe and unclear guidelines for children. These are just a minority of recent events which indicate that our governments are failing miserably to protect our most dear and cherished commodity, our children.
Disrupting the Progression from Early Screen Use to Screen Addiction - Dr Hilarie Cash and Cris Rowan
Jean Rogers at Children's Screen Time Action Network interviews Dr Hilarie Cash and Cris Rowan
Most conversations about children and screen time focus on a particular age-range, such as young children, tweens, or teens. This webinar connects the dots between early excessive screen use and youth media addiction. Experts Cris Rowan, occupational therapist and founder of Zone'in Programs, and Hilarie Cash, Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of reSTART Life, PLLC, provide specific, practical, early interventions that prevent children's screen use from impacting their future. They relate stories told by children of all ages about how unrestricted screen time and media content shaped their relationships, education and opportunities.
Cris Rowan is creating an online training certification in Balanced Technology
Management (BTM) for parents, teachers and clinicians. Parents will be certified BTM Advisors, teachers certified BTM Facilitators, and clinicians certified BTM Instructors.
We'll keep you posted!
Foundation Series Workshop Schedule
March 1, 2019 - Winnipeg, MB
Workshop for parents and professionals on impact of technology on children sponsored by Alloway Therapy.
Presentation on impact of technology on brain/body physiology to teens attending Camp Unplugged sponsored by Palomar Christian Conference Center. www.camp-unplugged.com.
The Screen Solution Workshops will leave you feeling equipped with the tools needed to help you reset your child's screen habits. From video games to smartphones, we'll show you how to make practical changes in your day-to-day life with proven strategies and replacement activities to establish a balanced screen use at different ages.
A Practical Guide for Protecting Your Child's Sensitive School Data from Snoops, Hackers, and Marketers created by jointly by CCFC and the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy.
This new educator toolkit is a comprehensive guide to help teachers understand the increased threats to education-related data made worse by the rapid adoption of education technology. Produced jointly by the Badass Teachers Association (BATs) and the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy
After three years, what is the actual proof that all of Apple's and Google's and Microsoft's infiltration of the classroom is producing actual academic improvement and results?
This new data comes from the ABCD study funded by The National Institutes of Medicine (NIH). Screenagers shares information from neuroscientist Elizabeth Sowell PhD who leads a ABCD study site at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
By Thomson Reuters ·
A Byton M-Byte electric vehicle shows off a 48-inch screen in new car prototype.
Georgetown Law students Bridget O'Connell, Allegra Kauffman, and Rachel Johns discuss how apps for preschoolers use unfair tactics to lure kids into watching advertisements and making in-app purchases. .
60 Minutes goes inside a landmark government study of young minds to see if phones, tablets and other screens are impacting adolescent brain development
By G Dong, M Wang, X Liu, Q Liang, X Du, MN Potenza Jan 6, 2019 doi: 10.1111/adb.12713.
Longitudinal study were 23 regular gamer met the criteria for gaming addiction one year later. These 23 were compared to 23 gaming addicts - and they matched the addicts in cue-related brain activity.
By Malena Ivarsson, Martin Anderson, Torbjorn Akerstedt, Frank Lindblad May 2013 DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182906a4c
Study of Thirty boys (aged 13-16 years) showed during sleep, there were significant interaction effects between group and gaming condition on heart rate.
By Gary S. Goldfield, Glen P. Kenny, Stasia Hadjiyannakis et al. November 1, 2011 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026643
Findings provide support for reducing time spent playing seated video games as a possible means to promote health and prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in this high risk group of overweight and obese adolescents.
By R. Jagadheeswari, R. Gayatri Devi, A. Jothi Priya June 26, 2018 ISSN: 0975-7619
From the study, it is clear that M-rated games increased heart rate and BP more than E-rated games. It is also clear that variation in heart rate and BP is more prominent in males than in females.
By V. N. Egorova, D. S. Nazarova, T. V. Volkodav 2018
Based on the study, attended by 61 students of Kuban State University (M=21, F=40) aged from 16 to 20 years old. It is assumed that temperament can either contribute or hinder the development of Internet addiction.
By Mark D Griffiths Assessment & Development Matters Vol. 10 No. 2 Summer 2018
In his behavioural addiction research he has co-developed many new assessment instruments including the Exercise Addiction Inventory and the
Video Game Addiction Scale for Children.
Policy Guidelines Regarding Wireless Radiation
"Policy Guidelines Regarding Wireless Radiation" was written by Patrick Colbeck a Michigan State Senator with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Dr. Angie Colbeck, MD a board certified pediatrician. This document combines public policy, healthcare, and technology experience regarding wireless radiation.
MA Legislators lead the nation with nine bills to address wireless radiation and public health in general, and especially for our children in schools; from wi-fi, hand-held devices, utility "smart" meters and high voltage power lines; and to train the health care community to diagnose and treat microwave sickness. Five of those bills progressed out of committee favorably, and the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, upon investigation, wrote their own bill. Legislative work will continue in the new session.
The MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health has a series of public health guidance sheets awaiting release to address cell towers, cell phones, wi-fi and high voltage power lines. Contact MA DPH Bureau of Environmental Health Director Jana Ferguson, 617-624-5007 (Dr. Bob Knorr just retired, this is his manager).
The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is awaiting release of the MA DPH fact sheets and has identified channels through which they will disseminate them to protect Massachusetts students and staff from wireless radiation. Contact DESE Digital Learning Director Kenneth Klau, 781-338-3505.
MA Department of Public Utilities is investigating the National Grid Smart Meter Pilot Program in Worcester, MA, which if allowed to continue, would impose a toxic radiofrequency radiation transmitting electrical meter on each home across the Commonwealth. Click here for hearing testimony outlining the health risks and financial corruption of the pilot program. Contact Daniel J. Licata, DPU Hearing Officer, Legal Division, 617-305-3523.
The Town of Burlington, MA released a Small Cell Equipment Policy (5G infrastructure) which includes an annual recertification process to ensure equipment is still viable, and a fee assessed to the vendor to pay for Burlington to hire an independent consultant to oversee the annual recertification. The Verizon lawyer indicated his client did not wish to set a precedent for those requirements, and withdrew seven small cell applications. Contact: Burlington Selectman and Small Cell Committee Liaison James Tigges, 781-910-3303.
The Town of Southbourough, MA is investigating Verizon'sSMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES MODEL ORDINANCE- MASSACHUSETTS, a by-law Verizon is trying to persuade municipalities to adopt. It would pass the legal risk liability on to the towns (insurance companies are putting in exclusions and won't cover wireless radiation damages), and place restrictions on local control. Contact: Southborough Town Administrator Mark Purple, 508-485-0710, x: 3004.
Sedentary, neglected, isolated, and overstimulated, the new millennium child can no longer pay attention and learn. Zone'in Programs are designed by an occupational therapist to enhance child development and learning, ensuring successful futures.
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!
