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Babies and Technology - What we know, but refuse to accept
By Cris Rowan, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
 Every parent on this planet knows technology is infinitely harmful to infants and toddlers, yet they continue to flock in droves to the latest technological device as if it were seemingly innocuous and benign. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I incessantly hear parents touting the latest new technology or program for their wee one exclaiming (miracle upon miracle) that their young babe can miraculously push Apps around on a screen. So can cats, but the difference between cats and babies is that cats quickly get bored and quit. Babies on the other hand, continue to mindlessly open frames, while they seemingly "watch" the colored lights and noise. Today's parents so want their children to be advanced in every way, and consequently think technology is the way to success, when really it is mindless entertainment. Questions to consider are what is the cost to the developing child of detachment from humans and attachment to devices? What price will parents pay down the road when their children enter school with developmental delay, obesity, impaired cognition, impulsivity, and unintelligible speech as a result of technology overuse? What will be the costs to society when male adolescents drop out of high school, and isolate themselves in the basement, playing violent video games and watching endless pornography; or females immerse themselves in the soap opera of Facebook and texting? Have parents truly lost their way when it comes to knowing what is right and good for their children? This article will explore what we already know about the impact of technology on babies, and postulate about why parents are failing to recognize the harmful effects of technology overuse on their young children.
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Cris in the News
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The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child
By Cris Rowan for Huffington Post on May 29, 2013
Pediatric occupational therapist and author of "Virtual Child - The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children" speaks on the impact of technology on physical, mental, social and academic performance in children.
Click Here
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| Research & News Review | |
Toddlers becoming so addicted to iPads they require therapy
May 12, 2013 for Telegraph
Experts have warned that parents who allow babies and toddlers to access tablet computers for several hours a day are in danger of causing "dangerous" long term effects. Children as young as four are becoming so addicted to smartphones and iPads that they require psychological treatment.
Lack of sleep blights pupil's education
By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent on May 8, 2013
Sleep deprivation is a significant hidden factor in lowering the achievement of school pupils, according to researchers carrying out international education tests.
This app uses Kinect technology to prevent you from running into things while texting
By Taylor Soper for GeekWire on May 31, 2013
Good news for smartphone addicts who just can't keep their eyes off the iPhone: There's an app in development designed to alert you of oncoming traffic.
Cheating, Breakup, and Divorce: Is Facebook Use to Blame?
By Clayton RB for Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking on June 7, 2013
The results indicate that a high level of Facebook usage is associated with negative relationship outcomes, and that these relationships are indeed mediated by Facebook-related conflict.
Tim Winter & Dr. Andrew Doan on violence in the media & video games
Excellent TV interview by U-TTV's Roger Hedgecock featuring Dr. Andrew Doan - author of "Hooked on Games", and Tim Winter - President of Parents Television Council (www.parentstv.org), on the subject of violent media's impact on child aggression.
Former GTA Producer: Why I'll Never Work on Violent Games Again
By James Brightman for Games Industry International on May 20, 2013
Jeremy Pope who managed production and development of key titles like Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and Max Payne, details his personal story and how he couldn't feel good telling people he worked on "that game".
Doped up on Media: Video games and technology are changing our brains
Dr. Andrew Doan's presentation on the science of addiction, and violent media content's effect on the developing brain. Dr. Doan is a neuroscientist and author of "Hooked on Games", as well as a 12-Step Recovery Leader at Rancho Community Church.
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Upcoming Foundation Series Workshops
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August 28-30, 2013 Bella Coola, BC
Foundation Series Workshops for health and education professionals sponsored by Vancouver Coast Health.
Contact person: Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist
crowan@zonein.ca, 1-888-8zonein
October 4, 2013 - Edmonton Alberta
Workshop for education and health professionals on the impact of technology on children; sponsored by Community Services, City of Edmonton.
Contact person: Tricia Boonstra, social worker,
triciaboonstra@edmonton.ca, 780-668-9467
October 18, 2013 - Vancouver BC
Workshop for education and health professionals on the importance of movement and nature on attention and learning, sponsored by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.
Contact person: Yvette Bolduc, conference coordinator,
coordinator@acc-society.bc.ca, 604-913-9128
April 3, 4, 2014 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Keynote speaker and workshop presenter at annual Autism Conference on the impact of technology on children sponsored by UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital.
Contact person: Julie Gasway, MA/CCC, SLP, Manager Witwer Children's Therapy, julie.gasway@unitypoint.org, 319-368-5919
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Video Clips
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In response to Philip Zimbardo's "The Demise of Guys?" TED talk, Gary Wilson asks whether our brains evolved to handle the hyperstimulation of today's Internet enticements. He also discusses the disturbing symptoms showing up in some heavy Internet users (erectile dysfunction), the surprising reversal of those symptoms (younger users can take up to one year of no porn to resume normal erectile function), and the science behind these 21st century phenomena.
Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society, profiling mirror neurons
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Zone'in Products | |
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.
Product Preview
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. BUY NOW ON Amazon.com
 About the Author
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. "Zone'in Programs Inc. for sale! |
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Training & Consultation |
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 Training
Consultation
Innovative team-based approach to manage balance between activities children need to grow and succeed with technology use.
Cris Rowan is now offering private phone/Skype consultations.
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Care to Donate?
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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!
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Contact Us
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6840 Seaview Rd. Sechelt BC V0N3A4
Tel: 1-888-896-6346
Fax: 1-877-896-6346
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© Zone'in Programs Inc. 2013
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