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Ten MORE reasons why handheld devices should be banned for children under the age of 12

 

By Cris Rowan 

  

Mounting research indicates technology is harming our children, yet adults continue to adamantly support unrestricted use. Handheld devices have significantly increased infant, toddler, and child access and immersion into a virtual world devoid of critical factors for development, behaviour, and learning. Prolonged and unsupervised exposure by young children to violent and fast paced imagery is resulting in significant changes in brain wiring and chemistry. Teachers and parents struggle to manage child behaviours as tantrums, aggression, detachment, and defiance have become the norm. Sedentary, neglected, overstimulated, and isolated, the future of the new millennium child is now in question. Act now to save what could become The Last Generation of children by signing petition for government intervention to ban handheld devices for children under the age of 12 years, citing 20 research evidenced reasons (10 on the link below, and 10 listed in previously published document).

  

Click to Read More and/or Comment 

  

Cris in the News

  

Interview with Cris Rowan on UK television show April 29th, 2014 at 8 AM talking about the detrimental impact of technology on children.

Are we Candy Crushing our kids? 
Interview with Cris Rowan by Chantal Corcoran for Desert Companion; April 2014.

Support Healthy Brain Development: Implications for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Quote Cris Rowan by Erik Peper, PhD, San Francisco State University, Peper, E. (2014). Psychophysiology Today, 9(1), 4-15.

Technology in the hands of Children
Interview with Cris Rowan by Matthew AbdulHaqq Niemi for Radio Islam on March 31, 2014.
What's New

  

Zone'in Fact Sheet has been translated in Spanish, with Spanish version of book "Virtual Child - The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children", as well as Zone'in Program, to be released summer of 2014.
Foundation Series Workshop Schedule
 
May 11, 12, 2014 Prince George, BC
Workshops for parents/health and education professionals sponsored by School District No. 57, University of Northern BC, and BC Council for Children with Behaviour Disorders. 

Contact person: Truman Spring tspring@sd47.bc.ca 250-561-9235

 

August 24, 2014 - Kelowna, BC
Workshop for professionals sponsored by Early Learning, Literacy CMOS & UBCO, SD No. 23 

Contact person: Donna Kozak donna.kozak@sd23.bc.ca 250-718-5332

 

September 19, 20, 2014 - Hong Kong, China

Workshops on impact of technology on corporate productivity and family life sponsored by the Young Presidents Organization.

Contact Person: Timothy Wong twong@ypowpo.org 

 

September 22, 23, 2014  - Mongolia

Workshops on impact of technology on corporate productivity and family life sponsored by the Young Presidents Organization.

Contact Person: Timothy Wong twong@ypowpo.org 

 

October 2, 2014 - Vancouver, BC

Workshop on the impact of technology on children sponsored by Gatehouse Montessori School

Contact Person: Gretchen van Nostrand gretchen@gatehousemontesorri.com 604-925-1437

 

Research and News Review
  

How to think about the risk of autism

By Sam Wang associate professor of molecular biology and neuroscience at Princeton, a co-author of "Welcome to Your Child's Brain" on March 29, 2014 for NY Times Opinion

Looking at the problem of autism in terms of relative odds can provide a conceptual framework for understanding autism. For example, odds might help us understand why more children are being classified as autistic. Are the diagnostic criteria changing, or is the population changing as a result of stress and other risk factors?

 

Your Phone vs. Your Heart

By Barbara L. Frederickson professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina and author of "Love 2.0: How Our Supreme Emotion Affects Everything We Feel, Think, Do, and Become" for NY Times Opinion on March 23, 2013

How much time do you typically spend with others? And when you do, how connected and attuned to them do you feel? Your answers to these simple questions may well reveal your biological capacity to connect.

 

Children wired, for better or for worse

By Daphne Bavelier et. al. for Neuron (Perspectives), Vol. 67, September 9, 2010, 692-701

Commentary on education technology. "Given the goal of predicting behavioral outcomes, it would likely be of substantial benefit to describe forms of technology quantitatively in terms of the neural processing they demand, rather than describe them qualitatively based upon surface characteristics. Such collaboration would also benefit neuroscientific theories of learning, as it offers an opportunity to ''reverse engineer'' the learning problem-starting with a tool that strongly promotes learning and determining how and why it works, rather than starting with low-level principles of neural learning and building tools that may or may not produce the desired outcomes".

 

Trafficking in Persons escalates

18 minute radio interview with Jonathan Spencer, CEO of New Horizons www.nhhope.org aired on KLove's Closer Look

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing.  In India alone, 200,000 persons are trafficked annually. In 1998 the average age of those being trafficked was 18; by 2000, the average age had dropped to 15.  The most prevalent destination for trafficked people is employment in the commercial sex industry and the production of pornography for worldwide distribution.   Annual profits generated by the human trafficking industry are estimated to be $32 billion / annually.

 

Rape myth acceptance in men who completed the prostitution offender program of British Columbia
By C. Klein et. al. for International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology;  2009 Jun;53(3):305-15
Results reveal that age, education, use of pornography, ideal frequency of intercourse, and believing that purchasing sex is a problem are all negatively correlated with rape myth acceptance. Positive correlations were found between rape myth acceptance and sexual conservatism, sexual violence/coercion, and social desirability. Results are discussed in terms of the association between rape myth acceptance and the violence frequently perpetrated against those working in the sex trade

 

Does porn hurt children? 

By David Segal for NY Times News Analysis on March 28, 2014

Starting late last year, Internet service providers in Britain made "family-friendly filters," which block X-rated websites, the default for customers. Now any account holder who wants to view adult material needs to actively opt in. What does the research say?

 

Generation X-Rated: Porn causing erectile dysfunction in young men

By Hannah James and Sean O'Shea on March 28, 2014 for Global News

A new generation of young, healthy men who are suffering from what some call "porn-induced erectile dysfunction."

 

No Laptops, No Wi-Fi: How One Cafe Fired Up Sales

By Annie Russell on April 10, 2014 for NPR - All Tech Considered

The August First Bakery in Burlington, Vt., bans laptops and tablets. Some customers were disappointed, but the owner says it has helped boost business and a sense of community

 

New regulations in Belgium for the sale of mobile phones as of 2014

Belgium Federal Public Service Announcement; Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment on February 7, 2014

As of 1 March 2014, new regulations will apply to the sale of mobile phones. The sale of mobile phones that have been specially manufactured for young children (under 7s) will be prohibited, as well as the SAR value will have to be listed everywhere where mobile phones are sold: in stores as well as for distance sales over the Internet.

 

Radio Frequency Radiation Facts

Interview with Katharina Gustavs, Cert. EOH with Rainbow Consulting

When radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields were classified as possibly carcinogenic in May 2011 by the World Health Organization, Health Canada issued a health alert, encouraging "parents to reduce their children's RF exposure from cell phones." In the same year, Health Canada claimed and continues to claim that the RF exposure from Wi-Fi devices is "very low" and that therefore "no precautionary measures are needed"- regardless of the fact that a given cell phone or Wi-Fi antenna in tablets/iPads emit roughly the same amount of RF energy.

 

Wireless devices may cause harm

By Peper, E & Booiman, A.C. (2014), Nederlandse Vereniging voor Arbeidshygiėne-Nieuwsbrief EMV en EHS, 5(1),19-22. http://www.arbeidshygiene.nl/

Wireless devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops may cause harm. Contains guidelines for safe use.

 

The link between Light-At-Night, Depression and Suicidality

By Victoria Dunckley, MD in Psychology Today's Mental Wealth
According to the CDC, about 15 percent of teens report they've considered hurting themselves over the past 12 months. While the subject of bullying has received media attention leading to more research and improved  resources, another more insidious culprit lurks undetected: the ubiquitous use of screen media by adolescents at night, aka "light-at-night." 

 

Facebook to buy virtual reality firm Oculus VR for $2 billion

Oculus makes the Oculus Rift headset, which covers your eyes and immerses you in a virtual environment that responds to your head movements.

 

For the children's sake, put down that iPhone!
By Patti Neighmond on April 21, 2014 for NPR's Health News
Profiles research by Dr. Jenny Radesky, pediatrician who observed parents in restaurants, and found over 80% used a mobile device during the meal, many parents more absorbed in the device than in the kids. 

 

How a cold brew can stop you from checking your smartphone
By Elise Hu for NPR All Tech Considered on March 26, 2014
Awesome adaptation of a beer glass to reduce the use of tech at the bar. Be sure to watch the instructional video.  

 

Five times to put down your phone and save relationships
By Donna Wick, Ed.D for Huffington Post on April 21, 2014
At dinner, when caring for an infant or young child, when having a good time, during conversations, and when you  can't stop (using tech). 

 

The Overprotected Kid
By Hanna Rosin for The Atlantic on March 19, 2014
A preoccupation with safety has stripped childhood of independence, risk taking, and discovery-without making it safer. A new kind of playground points to a better solution. 

 

When one New Zealand school tossed its playground rules and let students risk injury, the results were surprising
By Sarah Boesveld for The National on March 13, 2014

A principal's unconventional approach has made waves around the world, with school administrators and parents as far away as the United States and the United Kingdom asking how they, too, can abandon a rulebook designed to assuage fears about school safety in a seemingly dangerous time. 

 

Selfie addict attempts suicide after failing to take the perfect selfie
By Alex Moore for Death and Taxes on March 13, 2014
"I stood in front of the mirror and took a photo of myself," Danny Bowman reports. "I didn't like it so I took another. Then before I knew it I had taken about 30, discarding each one." And so started a mental-emotional disorder combining obsessive-compulsion, body dysmorphia and internet addiction. Danny became so obsessed with taking the perfect selfie that it completely disrupted his life, resulting in a suicide attempt. 

Documentaries

  

CBC Doc Zone documentary by Maureen Palmer
For the first time in North American history, more children suffer from mental health conditions than from physical ones. Find out why.

Radio documentary on the down side of helicopter parenting by Anna Maria Tremonti for CBC Radio on April 21, 2014.

The Land (Trailer) 

Forthcoming documentary film by Erin Davis about the nature of play, risk and hazard set in a Welsh "adventure" playground.  At The Land children climb trees, light fires and use hammers and nails in a play-space rooted in the belief that kids are empowered when they learn to manage risks on their own

 

Doped on Media: Gaming addiction as a poorly recognized medical problem 

Presentation by Dr. Andrew Doan at the Navy Traumatic Brain Injury conference.

 

Be a Game Changer in the Digital Age 

Presentation by Dr. Andrew Doan for young kids at St. Michael Lutheran School Portage MI.

 

Difficulty Managing Digital Devices in Kids: Digital Candy vs. Digital Broccoli 

Presentation by Dr. Andrew Doan for children and parents.

 

Technology Use Guidelines for Kids and Families 

Presentation by Dr. Andrew Doan for children and parents.

 

Dr. Andrew Doan is a neuroscientist, ophthalmologist, and author of Hooked on Games; websites are www.hooked-on-games.com and www.realbattle.org.

 

Unacceptable Levels: A film about chemicals in our bodies...and how they got there 

Documentary to be released May 9, 2014; includes information on radio frequency radiation.

Resources

 

Triple P: The Positive Parenting Program 

see Ten Steps to Positive Parenting for ten - one minute video clips on best parenting practice.

 

PAX: The Good Behavior Game; 

PAX teaches students self-regulation, self-control, and self-management in context of collaborating with others for peace, productivity, health and happiness. 


Baby Bonds - Parenting, attachment and a secure base for children 

Research by Sophie Moullin, Jane Waldfogel and Elizabeth Washbrook for Sutton Trust, March 2014


Citizens for Safe Technology website 

A not-for-profit educational society made up of Canadian and U.S. parents, grandparents, teachers, business professionals, physicians, scientists, politicians and lawyers concerned about the exponential increase in public exposures to harmful wireless technologies.


Environmental Health Trust website 

Education, research and policy to reduce environmental risks.


Early Intervention Screen Time website 

Contains loads of info and resources for parents of young children regarding technology use.

 

Upcoming E-Courses on learning disabilities for parents, teachers and education assistants.
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

Virtual Child

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. 

Need more info? Visit www.virtualchild.ca

BUY NOW ON Amazon.com 
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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.
  
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 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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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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