Fulton Psychological Group Screen-Time Issues Online Communication, Gaming and Texting.

Fulton Psychological Group Individual Therapy Individual Therapy Group Therapy Group Therapy Parent Training Parent Training Family Therapy Family Therapy Couples Therapy Couples Therapy Psychological Testing Psychological Testing Psychiatry Psychiatry

Fulton Psychological Group Types of Screen-Time Hand held game systems (Nintendo DS, PSP) Hand held game systems (Nintendo DS, PSP) Cell phone Cell phone Calling Calling Texting Texting Sending pictures Sending pictures Television Television Watching programs Watching programs Videogames Videogames Computer Computer Internet (IM, , Facebook, MySpace) Internet (IM, , Facebook, MySpace) Interactive computer games Interactive computer games Non-interactive computer game Non-interactive computer game

Fulton Psychological Group Internet and Gaming Addiction Internet interactive gaming addiction Internet interactive gaming addiction Non-interactive gaming addiction Non-interactive gaming addiction Cyber-relational addiction Cyber-relational addiction Cyber-sexual addiction Cyber-sexual addiction Information overload Information overload Communication obsession Communication obsession Gaming addiction Gaming addiction

Fulton Psychological Group Signs of Gaming/Internet Addiction Sneaking time on the internet/gaming Sneaking time on the internet/gaming Decrease interest in other activities Decrease interest in other activities Difficulty not playing games for a few days Difficulty not playing games for a few days Chronic arguments around game time Chronic arguments around game time Academic decline Academic decline Irritability Irritability 10% Addicted 10% Addicted

Fulton Psychological Group Physical Problems Associated with Excessive Gaming/Internet use Migraines Migraines Sleep Disturbances Sleep Disturbances Backaches Backaches Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Increased risk of epileptic seizures Increased risk of epileptic seizures Eye irritation Eye irritation

Fulton Psychological Group Psycho-social Issues Associated with Excessive Gaming/Internet Use Decrease interpersonal activities Decrease interpersonal activities Depression Depression Desensitized to profanity and sexual solicitation Desensitized to profanity and sexual solicitation Over-focused on gaming/internet Over-focused on gaming/internet Irritability, angry outbursts, fatigue Irritability, angry outbursts, fatigue Under-developed social skills, reduction of empathy Under-developed social skills, reduction of empathy Conflict with parents Conflict with parents Lower GPA Lower GPA Impaired attention span Impaired attention span

Fulton Psychological Group Cyber Bullying Type of emotional bullying Type of emotional bullying Starting rumors Starting rumors Making disparaging comments Making disparaging comments Threats Threats Making or disseminating pictures Making or disseminating pictures Explicitly excluding Explicitly excluding

Fulton Psychological Group Potential Hazards of Internet Communication and Texting Child can be stalked by a predator Child can be stalked by a predator Someone can get child’s password Someone can get child’s password Can build relationship with inappropriate person Can build relationship with inappropriate person Child can send sexually explicit content Child can send sexually explicit content Bully others or post damaging information Bully others or post damaging information Become involved with fringe, dangerous groups Become involved with fringe, dangerous groups Create a negative identity using MySpace Create a negative identity using MySpace Car accidents, pedestrian accidents etc. Car accidents, pedestrian accidents etc.

Fulton Psychological Group Strengthening the Relationship to Increase Compliance Establish a good relationship with your child Establish a good relationship with your child Share your concerns Share your concerns Convey your understanding of your child’s social needs and interests Convey your understanding of your child’s social needs and interests Be approachable and encourage your child to come to you if he encounters a problem online Be approachable and encourage your child to come to you if he encounters a problem online Communicate with your child via the internet and texting Communicate with your child via the internet and texting

Fulton Psychological Group Take the Necessary Precautions Be proactive and involved from the beginning Be proactive and involved from the beginning Learn about the internet and gaming Learn about the internet and gaming Discuss the potential hazards Discuss the potential hazards Set parameters around language and content Set parameters around language and content Have the computer in a “public” area rather than the child’s bedroom Have the computer in a “public” area rather than the child’s bedroom Have the passwords to your child’s accounts or be listed as a friend Have the passwords to your child’s accounts or be listed as a friend Consider using a monitoring software: (e.g. WebWatcher or SpectorPro 6) Consider using a monitoring software: (e.g. WebWatcher or SpectorPro 6)

Fulton Psychological Group Rules for Screen-time Utilize a contract Utilize a contract Place computers in “public” area Place computers in “public” area Limit screen-time to 1-2 hours weekdays and 2-4 hours on the weekend days Limit screen-time to 1-2 hours weekdays and 2-4 hours on the weekend days Have all passwords or be listed as a “friend” on child’s webpage Have all passwords or be listed as a “friend” on child’s webpage Don’t allow “multitasking” Don’t allow “multitasking” All screen-time ends ½ hour before bedtime All screen-time ends ½ hour before bedtime Remove phone, internet and TV access at bedtime Remove phone, internet and TV access at bedtime

Fulton Psychological Group Positive Aspects of Internet Communication Can keep your child connected with their peers (e.g. school friends, camp peers, etc.) Can keep your child connected with their peers (e.g. school friends, camp peers, etc.) Youth can learn how to communicate online, craft a public identity, create a home page, post links etc. Youth can learn how to communicate online, craft a public identity, create a home page, post links etc. MySpace and Facebook are equivalent to a “hang out” MySpace and Facebook are equivalent to a “hang out” Internet communication and texting sometimes allows youth to delve deeper into subjects they would otherwise be uncomfortable to discuss Internet communication and texting sometimes allows youth to delve deeper into subjects they would otherwise be uncomfortable to discuss It helps youth express themselves who are shy or have difficulty in verbal communication It helps youth express themselves who are shy or have difficulty in verbal communication