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From the American Academy of Pediatrics - Policy Statement
Children, Adolescents, and the Media, Council on Communications and Media
Pediatricians are encouraged to take a media history and ask 2 media questions at every well-child visit, and reiterate 2004 AAP policy of no technology exposure for children 0-2 years of age, and 1-2 hours of total technology per day ages 2-18 years.
Three-fold Increase in Mass Shootings in Step with Increased Psychiatric Drugging
By Kelly Patricia O'Meara for Citizens Commission on Human Rights International on November 19, 2013
The majority of mass shooters were either taking, or strongly suspected of taking, mind-altering psychiatric drugs. Between 2004 -2012 there have been 14,773 reports to the US FDA's MedWatch system on psychiatric drugs causing violent side effects. Acts of violence towards others are associated with a relatively small group of drugs, antidepressants with serotonergic effects. There are 22 international drug regulatory warnings on psychiatric drugs citing effects of mania, hostility, aggression, violence and even homicidal ideation. Psychiatrists prescribe antipsychotic drugs to children in one third of all visits, which is three times higher than during the 1990's and nearly 90 percent of those prescriptions written between 2005 and 2009 were prescribed for something other than what the Food and Drug Administration approved them for. According to IMS Health, there has been a 22% increase in the number of Americans on psychiatric drugs since 2002, with over 77 million people currently taking them-that's one in four Americans. A total of 8.2 million children under 18 are taking psychiatric drugs in the U.S. There are over 40 million Americans taking antidepressants - a 15% increase since 2002. Of these, 2 million are children under 18. Since 2002, the number of Americans on ADHD drugs has gone up by 94% with over 10 million currently taking them. According to the CDC, 11 percent of school-age children have been diagnosed with ADHD and there are now 4.7 million children under 18 in the U.S. taking ADHD drugs, per IMS Health. The total number of Americans on antipsychotics has increased by 40% since 2002.
Prevalence and Patterns of Sexting Among Ethnic Minority Urban High School Students
By Melissa Fleschler Peskin et al for Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking in June 2013, 16(6): 454-459.
More than 20% of students reported sending either a nude or semi-nude picture/video or a sexual text-only message (jointly referred to as a "sext"), and more than 30% reported receiving a sext.
Video Game Use and Cognitive Performance: Does It Vary with the Presence of Problematic Video Game Use?
By Emily Collins and Jonathan Freeman for Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking bon October 10, 2013 doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0629.
The results revealed no significant effect of playing action video games, nor any influence of problematic video game play. This indicates that the previously reported cognitive advantages in video game players may be restricted to specific task features or samples.
Addicts May Be Seeking Relief from Emotional Lows More Than Euphoric Highs
On Nov. 6, 2013 for Science Daily
Cocaine addicts may become trapped in drug binges -- not because of the euphoric highs they are chasing but rather the unbearable emotional lows they desperately want to avoid.
Today's Porn - What all adults, teens and parents need to understand about high speed internet porn
By Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers, PhD on October 6, 2013 for her blog
The rate of speed at which erotic images are delivered can alter brain chemistry and rewire the pleasure center of the brain, creating other changes in body and sexual function, including addiction and erectile dysfunction. Because an increasing amount of extreme images are sought (in part because of these brain changes), more violent and humiliating images are needed.
Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime
By Ferris Jabr for Scientific American on October 15, 2013
Research on naps, meditation, nature walks and the habits of exceptional artists and athletes reveals how mental breaks increase productivity, replenish attention, solidify memories and encourage creativity.
How Our Society Breeds Anxiety, Depression and Dysfunction
By Bruce E. Levine for AlterNet on August 21, 2013
Our belief in "progress" has increased our expectations that life should be more satisfying, resulting in mass disappointment.
Five ways the internet is rewiring your brain
By The Huffington Post on October 30, 2013
Fact #1: The Internet may give you an addict's brain; Fact #2: You may feel more lonely and jealous; Fact #3: Internet use may heighten suicide risk in certain teens; Fact #4: Memory problems may be more likely. Fact #5: In older adults, the Internet can boost brain function.
Totally Wired - Addiction and the Internet
By Venkat Srinivasan for Caravan Magazine - A Journal of Politics and Culture on 1 November 2013
Author explores internet addiction and a range of issues concerning behavioral addictions, as viewed across a variety of fields -- sociology, neuroscience, HCI, psychiatry and philosophy.
Can't Get Away From It All? The Problem Isn't Technology - It's You
By Mat Honan in November, 2013 for Wired
On a connected planet, you can't run away from technology - you have to manage it.
Smartphones are killing us - and destroying public life
By Henry Grabar for Salon on November 2, 2013
Hey, you -- look up! Our iPhone addictions are wrecking public spaces and fraying the urban social fabric.
'Pushback': Resisting the life of constant connectivity
By Peter Kelley on October 21, 2013 for University of Washington News
Pushback is an expression of those who have access and use of communication technologies, but who decide to resist, drop off, manage or reduce their use of these technologies
Study: What You Would Be Doing If You Spent Less Time Online
By Simone Foxman for The Atlantic on October 22, 2013
Research shows more time online means less time socializing, studying, and sleeping.
Ten teens in Montreal area face child pornography charges
By Sidhartha Banerjee for the Globe and Mail on November 14, 2013
The boys allegedly coaxed their friends and girlfriends into posing for pictures they later shared among themselves. Aged between 13 and 15 years old, they were arrested in a sweep early Thursday in Laval, a suburb just north of Montreal.
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