Balanced Technology Management - New paradigm shift toward managing balance between technology and healthy activities
By Cris Rowan.
For Parents, Teachers, Health Professionals, Governments, Researchers and Technology Production Corporations
Children engage in an average of 7.5 hours and teens 9.0 hours per day of entertainment technologies (television, movies, video games, internet, tablets, cell phones), causing health impairments and delays in development adversely affecting student productivity in school (Kaiser Foundation 2010/15, Takeuchi 2016). 14.3% of children have a diagnosed mental illness (Waddel 2007, CDC 2013), 30% enter school developmentally delayed (Carley, HELP EDI Mapping 2009, 2013, Houtrow 2014), 25% are obese (WHO 2015, Jackson 2009) of whom one third will go on to develop diabetes (CDC 2013), and 10% are addicted to technology (Gentile 2009).
The following twelve Technology Myths and Facts were compiled by Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist, biologist, international speaker, and author of the book "Virtual Child". Cris is passionate about changing the ways in which children use technology, and has developed the concept Balanced Technology Management where parents learn to manage balance between technology and healthy activities.
The Family Zone - weekend retreat for families who want to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other; facilitated by Cris Rowan and Dr. Hilarie Cash.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, health professional, or in government, research or technology production, Cris Rowan can help you with applying Balanced Technology Management concepts.
Click an image or link below to find out how Cris can help you:
Cris is presently on a lecture tour in Dublin Ireland, Paris France, Larnaca Cyprus, and Milan Italy speaking on the topic of impact of technology on children.
Huffington Post has recorded over 2.4 million Facebook likes for Cris Rowan's article 10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12.
Workshop for special education teachers on impact of technology on children sponsored by Cross Current Conference. Contact person: Mary Speaker seaspeakers@gmail.com
March 19, 2016 - Edmonton, Alberta
Early Intervention workshop for professionals on impact of technology on children sponsored by Community Options.
When it comes to recess and the importance of play and physical activity, too many schools ignore the current research. Instead of treating recess as an important, in fact crucial, part of a student's day, some schools still act as if recess is a privilege bestowed on well-behaved, compliant students.
By Elyse Wanshel By age two, 90 percent of modern children had a moderate ability to use a tablet, with many 3 to 4 year olds addicted. How severe is this problem, and what could be the long-term effects?
Children as young as 18 months are being prescribed the antipsychotic Risperdal,a drug typically used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults, and rarely used for children as young as 5 years.
Virtual Reality(VR) has some great potential for treating various disabilities and mental health disorders. But but what happens to individuals who combine VR technology with hallucinogenic drugs?
So how should we address the issue of sexting? What if we tried to meet the kids where they are? The most promising sex education initiatives right now are text-messaging services, which allow teenagers to submit questions anonymously and receive informed answers.
The smartphone era has encouraged many fathers' complete immersion into the seductive world of sports entertainment. Moments that were once the domain of family -- outings, meals, and trips to the park or pool -- can be more about fantasy football standings than engaging with children.
By Nancy Lubin Ted Talk Video published November 2015
TED Talk about a woman who started a text crisis line www.crisistextline.org for those in trouble (suicide, depression, drugs/alcohol, abuse, neglect).
By Mark Becker Michigan State University December 2012
Overall media use in youth has increased 20 percent in the past decade, the amount of time spent multitasking with media spiked 120 percent during that period. Study found that using multiple forms of media at the same time is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression.
By H Takeuchi, Y Taki, H Hashizume, K Asano, M Asano, Y Sassa, S Yokota, Y Kotozaki, R Nouchi and R Kawashima published in Molecular Psychiatry January 5, 2016 doi: 10.1038/mp.2015.193
A new study advances our understanding of videogame play as a daily habit of children and revealed that the conditions in which children play videogames for long periods of time may lead to unfavorable neurocognitive development.
By E F Rothman, A Adhia published December 23, 2015 pii: E1. doi: 10.3390/bs6010001 Results suggest that weekly pornography use among underage, urban-residing youth is common, and may be associated with adolescent dating abuse (ADA) victimization..
By C Jacobson, A Bailin, R Milanaik, A Adesman to be published February 2016; 63(1):183-94. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.09.001.
This article examines the implications of new age technology on increased morbidity and mortality, such as suicides due to cyberbullying and motor vehicle deaths due to texting while driving.
By DL. King, SM. Gainsbury, PH. Delfabbro, N Hing, B. Abarbanel published Journal of Behavioural Addictions 12/2015; 4(4):215-220. DOI:10.1556/2006.4.2015.045
Both Gambling and gaming activities have been implicated as contributing to harm through excessive involvement. Despite this, relatively little attention has been given to the fundamental characteristics that differentiate these two classes of activity.
By Kaptsis D, King DL, Delfabbro PH, Gradisar M published Clin Psychol Rev. 2015 Dec 7; doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2015.11.006
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is currently positioned in the appendix of the DSM-5 as a condition requiring further study. The aim of this review was to examine the state of current knowledge of gaming withdrawal symptomatology, given the importance of withdrawal in positioning the disorder as a behavioral addiction.
TED Talk by Robert Waldinger recorded November 22, 2015
What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone - but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken.
With tweens and teens spending more time on media than ever, these strategies can help to keep their experiences safe, productive, and fun all year long.
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.
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.
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 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!