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Laptop multitasking hinders classroom learning for both users and nearby peers
By Faria Sana for Computers and Education Vol 62, March 2013, 24-31
Participants who multitasked on a laptop during a lecture scored lower on a test compared to those who did not multitask, and participants who were in direct view of a multitasking peer scored lower on a test compared to those who were not. The results demonstrate that multitasking on a laptop poses a significant distraction to both users and fellow students and can be detrimental to comprehension of lecture content.
Digital Dementia: The memory problem plaguing teens and young adults
On Fox News, August 15, 2013
A recent study from South Korea found that individuals who rely heavily on technology may suffer deterioration in cognitive abilities such as short term memory dysfunction.
Japan to introduce internet 'fasting camps' for addicted kids
By Julian Ryall for The Telegraph on August 27, 2013
A study by Japan's Ministry of Education has concluded that over half a million Japanese children aged 12-18 are addicted to internet activities, and consequently is seeking government funding assistance for interventions such as outdoor "fasting camps" and other strategies to reduce the use of cell phones, computers, and hand held gaming devices.
A rising addiction among youths: Smartphones
By Lee Yun-soo for Wall Street Journal on July 23, 2013
South Korea government reports 1 in 5 students are addicted to smartphone use defined as spending more than seven hours a day using the phone and experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and depression when cut off from the device.
Are kids with gadgets more likely to have adhd?
By Margaret Rock for Mobiledia on Mashable on July 2, 2013
Over the past decade, the number of kids diagnosed with adhd surged by over 50%, and in the last six years, that rate has jumped 15%. The rise in adhd coincides with the rise of mobile devices. Children on average spend nearly seven and a half hours each day staring at screens, up 20% from just five years ago. Is there a relationship between the two? Yes, but it's not so clear-cut.
Tech is killing childhood
By Catherine Steiner-Adair for Salon on August 12, 2013
Article for parents and educators regarding how time spent on gadgets could be hampering kids' ability to connect to each other and the "real" world.
US recognizes eSport players as professional athletes
By Kris Ligman for Gamasutra on July 12, 2013
The United States government recognizes League of Legends pro players as professional athletes, and awards visas to essentially work in the United States under that title.
Together Alone: Technology computers and kids
By Marie Hartwell-Walker, EdD. for PsychCentral
American working parents spend an average of 19 minutes a day of quality time with their children. Author explores the idea that society now thinks it's normal to be immersed in a virtual world.
Best policy to thwart online bullying? European Commission says raise awareness
By Jacqueline Beauchere, Chief Online Safety Officer for Microsoft on July 17, 2013
According to a new report from the European Commission, awareness-raising, coupled with involvement from all interested groups, is the best policy to help combat online bullying.
Kindergarten Coders Can Program Before They Can Read
By New Scientist on July 31, 2013
Tufts University researchers are studying the ability of kindergarten-aged children to program computers using a graphics-based coding language called ScratchJr, which is based on the Scratch programming language.
No City for Little Boys
By Andrew Cotto for the New York Times on April 21, 2013
Parent's description of how difficult it is to raise young boys with "ants in their pants" in inner city New York.
How junk food ads contribute to childhood obesity
By Caroline Knorr for Common Sense Media on July 31, 2013
Marketing restrictions and legislation may help, but it's up to parents to show kids what's wrong with these commercials.
Children Use Android as Young as 5, Study Shows
By Bianca Stanestu for Hot for Security on August 12, 2013
Parents buy smartphones for their toddlers when they are as young as 5 years old, boosting the risk that exposure to pornography predators, malware infections and SMS fraud will increasingly target users.
Heavy Cell Phone Use Linked to Oxidative Stress
For Science News on July 29, 2013
Study showed the saliva of heavy cell phone users showed indications of higher oxidative stress -- a process that damages all aspects of a human cell, including DNA -- through the development of toxic peroxide and free radicals considered a major risk factor for cancer.
Cell phones and health
Dr. Devra Davis discussing dangers of WiFi and her book "Disconnect" on Commonwealth Club
Florida Bans Smartphones and Computers
By Doug Aamoth for Time on July 9, 2013
Florida recently passed a law banning Internet cafes that offer slot machine-like games. "The Legislature and governor acted with dizzying speed, leaving many questions as to the law's impact and how the centers known as Internet cafes would react.
Most Parents Show Little Worry about Media Use, Survey Says
By Matt Richtel for New York Times on June 4, 2013
39% of parents use at least 11 hours of entertainment technology per day reports survey by the Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern University.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Study
Jay Parker, consultant and recovery coach, guides those who struggle with addiction, and has written a blog post titled "Broken or broken open" about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study which shows 2/3 of a normative population reports at least one adverse experience (neglect, abuse, trauma) and 1 in 5 reports at least 3 adverse experiences.
http://www.cdc.gov/ace/findings.htm
Online gaming addiction: Classification, prediction and associated risk factors
By Zaheer Hussain et al for Addiction Research and Theory, October 2012, 20(5), 359-371
44.5% of MMORG (massively multi-player online role playing games) gamers are addicted according to polythetic format. Gaming duration, total time spent gaming per week, and employment status have a major impact on the probability of MMORPG addiction.
Nerd, interrupted: Inside a smartphone addiction treatment center
By Leah Hamshon from TechHive on August 27, 2013
Director reports from Morningside Recovery center in California and reStart Internet Addiction and Recovery Center in Washington.
Online game firms need to do more to prevent addiction say researchers
For BBC News - Wales on August 6, 2013
Online game companies need to do more to prevent players becoming too addicted in order to avoid government intervention, a study has warned.
On internet porn: Stuff the porn addicts, our children's rights trump theirs
By Fiona Phillips for Mirror News on July 27, 2013
David Cameron plans an "opt in" system requiring computer owners to disable filters if they want to view internet porn.
Internet addiction? Redmond's got rehab for that
By Drew Atkins for Crosscut on August 22, 2013
Interview with Dr. Hilarie Cash, Cofounder of reStart Internet Addiction and Recovery Center located in Washington.
A trip to camp to break a tech addiction
By Matt Haber for the New York Times on July 5, 2013
Digital Detox runs a camp for tech addicted adults.
Casting light on sleep deficiency - The use of electric lights at night is disrupting the sleep of more and more people
By Charles Czeisler for Nature on May 23, 2013
Technology has decoupled us from the 24-hour day to which our bodies evolved.
Sleep disturbance in mental health problems and neurodegenerative disease
By Kirstie Anderson and Andre Bradley for Nature and Science of Sleep 2013: 5, 61-75
Article covers the role of specific patterns of sleep disturbance that occur in association with both mental health and neurodegenerative disorders.
Elizabeth Foss Blog - Screen time rules for kids
One family's attempt to focus on building meaningful relationships and to spend more time reading things of substance.
Webcurfew and Digital Loitering Blog
Free download computer monitoring software and blog created by a parent for other parents who want to control internet use by their children.
An Interview with Fred Baughman MD: Better to Talk than to Drug
By Michael Shaughnessy Education Views Senior Columnist on July 8, 2013
As there is no psychiatric condition/diagnosis that has been proved to be a disorder/disease/physical abnormality, it can never be said that the risk vs. benefit ratio of any drug "treatment" in psychiatry is positive and medically justifiable.
Breakthrough Study Reveals Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorders in Kids
By Juliana Brunium for UCSF on July 9, 2013
In a groundbreaking new study from UC San Francisco, researchers have found that children affected with SPD have quantifiable differences in brain structure, for the first time showing a biological basis for the disease that sets it apart from other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Mounting research indicates unrestricted use of technology (cell phones, internet, TV) by children is resulting in negative impact on physical and mental health, social wellbeing, and academic performance, suggesting a cautionary approach toward the use of technology in school settings. As rates of technology addiction soar, children and youth are presenting with problematic behaviours and disorders that are not well understood by health and education professionals. Obesity, developmental delay, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, aggression, social phobia, and inability to pay attention or learn, are all associated with technology overuse bringing into question "Are the ways in which we are educating and raising children with technology sustainable"? This article will profile recent research on the impact of education technology on attention and learning, review technology evaluation and screening tools, and propose school-based technology guidelines and interventions to achieve Balanced Technology Management in education settings.
