Many people use the word “addiction” casually to describe something they do often and somewhat compulsively. We hear people say things like, “I’m addicted to chocolate or I’m addicted to my cell phone.” Clinical addiction is a different matter. A clinical diagnosis is defined by:
The American Association of Psychiatry (APA) is considering adding Internet Gaming Disorder as an official diagnosis. This is based on studies that show psychological and physiological patterns similar to those exhibited by a person with a drug addiction. For example, MRI studies of the brains of people who play twenty hours or more of video games a week show similar imaging patterns as people addicted to drugs. Internet use that is not gaming related, but rather related to social media and other things, is also a problem for many people but it is less understood from a psychological and physiological perspective.
If you are concerned about addiction in yourself or someone else, or you want to teach your kids about this issue, take a look at these two questionnaires that screen for problematic use.
For Tech Talk Tuesday this week let's talk about the difference between addiction and compulsion:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Many people use the word “addiction” casually to describe something they do often and somewhat compulsively. We hear people say things like, “I’m addicted to chocolate or I’m addicted to my cell phone.” Clinical addiction is a different matter. A clinical diagnosis is defined by:
The American Association of Psychiatry (APA) is considering adding Internet Gaming Disorder as an official diagnosis. This is based on studies that show psychological and physiological patterns similar to those exhibited by a person with a drug addiction. For example, MRI studies of the brains of people who play twenty hours or more of video games a week show similar imaging patterns as people addicted to drugs. Internet use that is not gaming related, but rather related to social media and other things, is also a problem for many people but it is less understood from a psychological and physiological perspective.
If you are concerned about addiction in yourself or someone else, or you want to teach your kids about this issue, take a look at these two questionnaires that screen for problematic use.
For Tech Talk Tuesday this week let's talk about the difference between addiction and compulsion:
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
I am over the moon jazzed to introduce the trailer for our new film, Screenagers: Elementary School Edition. So much work has gone into this film. My team and I wanted it to be attention-worthy and, above all, exceedingly useful. Screen time seeps into the lives of younger and younger kids. Parents struggle with what to do. How much time is okay for entertainment screen time? How to set limits? How to handle meltdowns? What does science tell us about why and how to safeguard sleep in our digital age? And so much more.
READ MORE >What are the potential costs of loads of certain screen time activities on our kids’ brain health and mood? Today we talk about ways to changes tech time that might help them feel better — even while keeping the same total amount of screen time?
READ MORE >In some homes, managing screen time is the source of a lot of stress and tension. It can often be downright toxic. If you are at your wits' end about screen time issues, seeking the help of a professional coach or counselor can be beneficial.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.