Brain Drain - How technology disrupts early brain development
A common belief by today's parents is that early use of technology by young children is harmless, and might even prove beneficial to their developing brains. Promises of improved cognition, eye/hand coordination, visual motor control, reaction time, and even foundation skills for future surgeon occupations are touted by digital media designers. Parents repeatedly report that if they don't engage their child with early use of technology, the child will be missing out, be behind their peers, and may never catch up their lost 'techno skill set' to be able to compete for eventual jobs when they grow up. These beliefs that technology is indeed good for young children, are daily reinforced by the parent's own technology use patterns, as parents who are high users of technology raise children who are much the same. This article is intended to detail aspects of early brain development that are particularly vulnerable to technology (TV, violent video games, fast paced cartoons), and proposes parents adopt Steve Jobs tech rules for his own family - no handheld devices for children under 12 years of age.
In order to understand the impact of technology on the developing brain, it's imperative to review what we already know about normal brain development. This essential knowledge about the developing nervous system, will prepare parents and teachers to be able to more clearly define and understand how early exposure to technology can disrupt the development of their child's brain
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AAP develops policy guideline for child exposure to violent media content
Virtual violence - violence experienced via media or realistic technologies - is an inescapable component of children's lives, and research shows that without guidance or controls it has the power to make children more aggressive, violent and fearful.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a policy statement, "Virtual Violence" in the August 2016 issue of Pediatrics, which reviews the evidence of how virtual violence impacts children, and offers guidance to parents, media producers and pediatricians. Click here to read more
Recent rise in mass shootings involving police officers, raises questions regarding early and prolonged exposure to violent video games.
The long-running debate about violence in videogames was rekindled in 2013 with reports that an 8-year-old boy who police say shot and killed his elderly caregiver had been playing "Grand Theft Auto IV," a game rated as appropriate for adults.
Cops 'n' Robbers -
The game was controversial when released as the player is the 'robber' and must shoot the 'cops'.
Hatred (video game) - T
he player-character is a mass-killing villain who hates humanity and begins a "genocide crusade"[1] to kill innocent civilians and police officers.
New Books
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids-and How to Break the Trance By Nicholas Kardaras
In Glow Kids, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras will examine how technolog - more specifically, age-inappropriate screen tech, with all of its glowing ubiquity - has profoundly affected the brains of an entire generation.
A groundbreaking and definitive account of the widespread misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-and its serious effects on children, adults, and society.
Film producer Krista Riihimaki interviewing Cris Rowan for her documentary "Child Disrupted" profiling the impact of technology on children and youth to be released this fall.
Foundation Series Workshop Schedule
September 23, 2016 - Sechelt, BC
Workshop for general public on the impact of technology on children sponsored by Blissful Yoga.
Workshop for teachers and parents on the impact of technology on children sponsored by Vancouver Waldorf School.
Contact person: Jennifer Breckon,
[email protected] 604-985-7435 loc. 202
October 31 - November 11, 2016 - Online University Course
Course on impact of technology on children for doctoral OT students sponsored by Pacific University, Portland, Oregon; co-instructor Dr. Chantelle Bernier.
Workshop for early intervention staff on attachment and addictions sponsored by Maple Ridge Child Care Resource Centre. Contract person: JoAnne White, [email protected] 604-467-2273
November 14, 2016 - Windsor Ontario
Workshop for therapists on impact of technology on children for Digital Dependency Awareness: Free to Play conference sponsored by Problem Gambling Services, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
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Keynote and workshop for child care workers on impact of technology on children for Health and Wellness Summit sponsored by Alberta Parenting for the Future
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The biggest gains will come from preparing new teachers better, and upgrading the ones already in classrooms. The lesson is clear; it now just needs to be taught.
Labelled a case of Munchausen by Internet, a modern take on a mental disorder that involves faking an illness for the purpose of extracting attention and nurture from others.
NOT long ago, many parents wondered at what age they should give their child full access to the car keys. Nowadays, parents face a trickier question: At what age should a child own a smartphone?
Sending text messages on a smartphone can change the rhythm of brain waves, according to a new study. People communicate increasingly via text messaging, though little is known on the neurological effects of smartphone use.
Can we be mindful when we are using the Internet? That is, can we pay attention to the experience using our faculties of concentration, our moral compass and our capacity for empathy?
By S W Krauss, S Martino, M N Potenza 2016 Jun;5(2):169-78. doi: 10.1556/2006.5.2016.036.
Study examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, men's interest in seeking treatment for use of pornography, using an Internet-based data-collection procedure of 1,298 male pornography users.
Once we understand that addiction is neither a sin nor a progressive disease, just different brain wiring, we can stop persisting in policies that don't work, and start teaching recovery.
Guest host Derek McGinty and a panel of guests discuss therapies designed to treat compulsive web use among young people and what parents and teens should know.
Newly-released study on cellphone radiation and cancer in rats conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) found one in 18 male rats exposed to cell phone radiation developed cancer.
Published by Canadians for Safe Technology (C4ST) July 26, 2016
Join other Canadian parents taking action by emailing the Minister of Health and your local MP to have these standards updated to reflect this wireless world we live in.
Interesting how they are framing it as the Disney movies helped him come out of his autism. But in light of what we are seeing, could it be the other way around?
By Melanie Hemp with Amy C. Eytchison June 23, 2016
Research tells us that our kids need chores as much as they need entertainment or educational activities to make them empathetic, self-sufficient, and even happier as they grow up.
Studies say that 4 minutes of uninterrupted eye contact can increase intimacy. To test this theory out, we brought in six pairs in different stages of their relationship and had them try it.
Erik Peper, Annette Booiman, Mei Lin, and Richard Harvey, Biofeedback Volume 44, Issue 2, pp. 66-72 DOI: 10.5298/1081-5937-44.2.04
Article describes how body postures can project nonverbally how a human being feels and how postural changes affect thoughts, emotions, and energy levels, and conversely, energy levels, emotions, and thoughts affect posture.
By Jill Werman Harris June Leaving for sleepaway camp is, for many children, a major step toward independence. Today, when cellphones keep parents and children in nearly constant contact, the fact that most camps have phone-free policies makes breaking away even more of a challenge.
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!
