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Gaming and Gambling: A generation of children on the hunt for supremacy.
  
By Cris Rowan & Jonas Svensson.
 

Millions of people spend several hours a day on online gaming. Counter Strike:Global Offensive (CS:GO), League of legends, and RuneScape are only a few of the games that are available in this rapidly developing industry. Children, youth and young adults are paying upward of hundreds of dollars every month on buying and selling commodities, weapons, and merchandize. A cool car or beautiful clothes show fellow players how well off the gamer is, as does the gamer's "level" update or "skins" (objects, weapons, modifications), things that you gradually gain in gaming as a form of reward.
  
What's New at Zone'in

 
 
Designed by pediatric occupational therapist and biologist Cris Rowan to help families better manage balance between technology and healthy living. Tech Talks is a series of ten 30 minute webinar sessions watched by whole family over the course of ten weeks. Webinars are followed by 30 minutes of family homework which details progressive strategies to redesign family lifestyles for health and success. Tech Talks includes the Zone'in Tech Tool Kit, and a 3 day family 'tech unplug'. Click here for more info.

 
 
 
Designed by pediatric occupational therapist and biologist Cris Rowan and Dr. Chantelle Bernier OTD, to provide up to date research information on the impact of technology on child development, behavior, and learning. Targeting health and education professionals including OT's PT's, SLP's, RN's physicians, psychologists and teachers, Tech Talks for Therapists guides professionals on how to assess children for technology overuse, and how to assist families to better manage balance between technology and healthy living. Tech Talks for Therapists is a series of five one hour webinar sessions which include a variety of handouts and strategies to help families redesign lifestyles for health and success. Click here for more info.


Zone'in Programs Inc. welcomes new Level I Instructor!

Chantelle Bernier strives to promote awareness about technology overuse and children through educating the public and professional community.  She recently completed her doctorate in occupational therapy where through mentorship by Cris, conducted research and program development relating to technology and its impact on child development. Chantelle has had 3 years of occupational therapy experience in a variety of settings and is an adjunct instructor with Cris Rowan for the School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University of Oregon. She is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of her pediatric clients and families through understanding their needs and providing a compassionate environment where they can succeed in their occupational roles. Chantelle resides in LA California with her husband Patrick.

New University Course

Cris Rowan and Dr. Chantelle Bernier, OTD are teaching an online doctorate level course at the University of Portland on the impact of technology on children in October 2015 titled Tech Talks for Therapists. Click here for more information. Click here for more info.

Cris in the News
 

Huffington Post has recorded over 2.3 million Facebook likes for Cris Rowan's article 10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12.

Foundation Series Workshop Schedule

January 12, 2016 - Dublin, Ireland
Workshops for professionals and parents on impact of technology on children sponsored by Young Presidents Organization.
Contact person: Denise Johnsen djohnsen@ypowpo.org + 49.176.878.27621

January 15, 2016 - Paris, France
Workshops for professionals and parents on impact of technology on children sponsored by Young Presidents Organization.
Contact person: Denise Johnsen djohnsen@ypowpo.org + 49.176.878.27621

January 18, 2016 - Italy
Workshops for professionals and parents on impact of technology on children sponsored by Young Presidents Organization.
Contact person: Denise Johnsen djohnsen@ypowpo.org + 49.176.878.27621 
 
February 26, 2016 - Cross Currents Conference, Vancouver, BC
Workshop for special education teachers on impact of technology on children.
Contact person: Mary Speaker seaspeakers@gmail.com 

March 16, 2016 - Edmonton, Alberta
Workshop on impact of technology on children sponsored by Community Options.
Contact person: Heidi Brett Heidi@communityoptions.ab.ca 587-784-8390

Research and News Review

Childhood Development

By Victoria L. Dunckley M.D. on Aug 18, 2015 in Psychology Today Mental Wealth
6 Ways electronic screen time makes kids angry, depressed and unmotivated. 
 
4 min video by .
This research demonstrates that infants find it difficult to understand a 2D image and 3D object can work in the same way without additional support from a social partner.
 
In Support of Susan Greenfield
Lenny Oestreicher has written a letter to the editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).  He feels the effect of digital technology on children (and adults for that matter) is too important an issue to be dismissed out of hand in a journal of the caliber of the British Medical Journal.
Mental Illness & Psychotropic Meds

YouTube video published Sep 9, 2015
Gary Kohls radio interview on the Louise Hicks Show.

Social Media & Mobile Technology
  
Ted Talk By Sherry Turkle filmed February 2012
Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication - and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have.

Offline Wellness
Human Center Design for social innovation
Project about creating healthier food options for people in need of them,  identifying that people have unhealthy habits around food because they don't disconnect them selves from technology.   
 
Video Games & Pornography
 
ABC News Sep 4, 2015
Video games stimulate body to release natural "pain killers" so gamers don't feel numbness and other symptoms associated with deep vein thrombosis. Andrew Doan discusses this concept of "digital pain killers" on Good Morning America.
  
'Play This Video Game And Call Me In The Morning'
By April Demboski for npr on August 17, 2015
Pharmaceutical companies teaming with video game designers to create video games to treat adhd, autism, depression!!

The Dark Net
By Jamie Bartlett on TED Talks June 2015
Reports on the growing use of the Dark Net, accessed by the Tall Browser, containing illegal porn, drugs, video games. Websites have untraceable URL's and use untraceable bitcoins for currency. You can do/see/hear anything on the Dark Net.

Case Report: Internet Gaming Disorder Associated With Pornography Use
By Ashley Voss, Hilarie Cash, Sean Hurdiss, Frank Bishop, Warren P. Klam, and Andrew P. Doan Published online 2015 Sep 3. Yale J Biol Med. 2015 Sep; 88(3): 319-324.
Paper presents a case of a 22-year-old man who exhibited IGD and problems associated with pornography use.

Porn app took secret photos of users
BBC News - Technology September 7, 2015
A malicious Android app that held people to ransom has been found by US security firm Zscaler. Adult Player appeared to offer pornography, but secretly took pictures of users with the phone's front-facing camera.
   
Technology Addictions
 
Fear of missing out drives net addiction in Japan
AFP RELAXNEWS February 15, 2015
Technology addiction has evolved -- less than a decade ago those afflicted were mainly 'gamers' who locked themselves away to play on their consoles.

Xavier Filliez April 7, 2015
6 minute video clip visits a center for "digital detox" in Seattle, where they try to treat the hyperconnected generation.

Hikikomori: Why are so many Japanese men refusing to leave their rooms?
By William Kremer and Claudia Hammond BBC World Service July 5, 2013
In Japan, hikikomori, a term that's also used to describe the young people who withdraw, is a word that everyone knows.

These people are so addicted to the Internet that they had to go to rehab
By Kristen V. Brown on Fusion August 10, 2015
Hilarie Cash, reSTART's executive director and co-founder, discusses ReSTART's internet addiction rehab center in rural Washington State.

By Bill Davidow July 18, 2012
Much of what we do online releases dopamine into the brain's pleasure centers, resulting in obsessive pleasure-seeking behavior. Technology companies face the option to exploit our addictions for profit.
  
Tech Radiation

Website with information concerning the effects of radiation and promoting connecting with safe technology - meaning devices without radiation at home and school.

Parenting

NPR Ed August 28, 2015
Conversation with authors of - How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims and The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey on the problem of 'overparenting'.

Programs, Tools & Techniques
 
Find a Playground Near You
Landscape Structures invites you to find a play environment near you, that allow all children and their families to play together, regardless of their abilities.
Conferences & Courses
 
Digital Media and Developing Minds - Irving California on October 14-16, 2015
Sponsored by the Institute for Digital Media and Child Development, this conference in is a "must attend" for health and education professionals, social workers, researchers, and parents regarding the impact of technology on child development.

Introduction to the Dragonfly Attachment Treatment Program - Winnipeg Manitoba on September 28, 29, 2015
Sponsored by the Aulneau Centre practicing the Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment. Understanding the attachment model of counselling helps provide valuable insight and skill to those of us who are in therapeutic, education and caregiving roles.

Brain Development and the Benefits of Risky Play - Edmonton AB (or live webcast) October 5, 2015
Alberta Early Years Learing Series 2015/16 with Dr. Ian Pike, Director, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit

Brain Development and the Significance of Trauma - Edmonton AB (or live webcast) February 10, 2016
Alberta Early Years Learing Series 2015/16 with Dr. Katie Statman-Weil, Executive Director of Wild Lilac Child Development Community, Portland, OR

Brain Development and the Impact of Technology - Edmonton AB (or live webcast)  May 4, 2016
Alberta Early Years Learing Series 2015/16 with Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz, Associate Professor, School and Applied Child Psychology (SACP), University of Calgary

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. 

Care to Donate?
 
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!
Contact Us
 
6840 Seaview Rd. Sechelt BC V0N3A4 
Tel: 1-888-896-6346
Fax: 1-877-896-6346
© Zone'in Programs Inc. 2015