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

Fulton Psychological Group

Screen-Time IssuesScreen-Time Issues

Online Communication,Online Communication,

Gaming and Texting.Gaming and Texting.


Fulton Psychological Fulton Psychological GroupGroup

Individual TherapyIndividual Therapy Group TherapyGroup Therapy Parent TrainingParent Training Family TherapyFamily Therapy Couples TherapyCouples Therapy Psychological TestingPsychological Testing PsychiatryPsychiatry


Types of Screen-TimeTypes of Screen-Time Hand held game systems (Nintendo DS, PSP)Hand held game systems (Nintendo DS, PSP) Cell phoneCell phone

CallingCalling TextingTexting Sending picturesSending pictures

TelevisionTelevision Watching programsWatching programs VideogamesVideogames

ComputerComputer Internet (IM, Email, Facebook, MySpace)Internet (IM, Email, Facebook, MySpace) Interactive computer gamesInteractive computer games Non-interactive computer gameNon-interactive computer game


Internet and Gaming Internet and Gaming AddictionAddiction

Internet interactive gaming Internet interactive gaming addictionaddiction

Non-interactive gaming addictionNon-interactive gaming addiction Cyber-relational addictionCyber-relational addiction Cyber-sexual addictionCyber-sexual addiction Information overloadInformation overload Communication obsessionCommunication obsession Gaming addictionGaming addiction


Signs of Gaming/Internet Signs of Gaming/Internet AddictionAddiction

Sneaking time on the internet/gamingSneaking time on the internet/gaming Decrease interest in other activitiesDecrease interest in other activities Difficulty not playing games for a few Difficulty not playing games for a few

daysdays Chronic arguments around game timeChronic arguments around game time Academic declineAcademic decline IrritabilityIrritability 10% Addicted10% Addicted


Physical Problems Physical Problems Associated with Excessive Associated with Excessive

Gaming/Internet useGaming/Internet use MigrainesMigraines Sleep DisturbancesSleep Disturbances BackachesBackaches Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome Increased risk of epileptic seizuresIncreased risk of epileptic seizures Eye irritationEye irritation


Psycho-social Issues Psycho-social Issues Associated with Excessive Associated with Excessive

Gaming/Internet UseGaming/Internet Use Decrease interpersonal activitiesDecrease interpersonal activities DepressionDepression Desensitized to profanity and sexual Desensitized to profanity and sexual

solicitationsolicitation Over-focused on gaming/internetOver-focused on gaming/internet Irritability, angry outbursts, fatigueIrritability, angry outbursts, fatigue Under-developed social skills, reduction of Under-developed social skills, reduction of

empathyempathy Conflict with parentsConflict with parents Lower GPALower GPA Impaired attention spanImpaired attention span


Cyber BullyingCyber Bullying

Type of emotional bullyingType of emotional bullying Starting rumorsStarting rumors Making disparaging commentsMaking disparaging comments ThreatsThreats Making or disseminating picturesMaking or disseminating pictures Explicitly excluding Explicitly excluding


Potential Hazards of Potential Hazards of Internet Communication Internet Communication

and Textingand Texting Child can be stalked by a predatorChild can be stalked by a predator Someone can get child’s passwordSomeone can get child’s password Can build relationship with inappropriate Can build relationship with inappropriate

personperson Child can send sexually explicit contentChild can send sexually explicit content Bully others or post damaging informationBully others or post damaging information Become involved with fringe, dangerous Become involved with fringe, dangerous

groupsgroups Create a negative identity using MySpaceCreate a negative identity using MySpace Car accidents, pedestrian accidents etc.Car accidents, pedestrian accidents etc.


Strengthening the Strengthening the Relationship to Increase Relationship to Increase

ComplianceCompliance Establish a good relationship with your Establish a good relationship with your

childchild Share your concernsShare your concerns Convey your understanding of your child’s Convey your understanding of your child’s

social needs and interests social needs and interests Be approachable and encourage your child Be approachable and encourage your child

to come to you if he encounters a problem to come to you if he encounters a problem onlineonline

Communicate with your child via the Communicate with your child via the internet and textinginternet and texting


Take the Necessary Take the Necessary PrecautionsPrecautions

Be proactive and involved from the beginningBe proactive and involved from the beginning Learn about the internet and gamingLearn about the internet and gaming Discuss the potential hazardsDiscuss the potential hazards Set parameters around language and contentSet parameters around language and content Have the computer in a “public” area rather Have the computer in a “public” area rather

than the child’s bedroomthan the child’s bedroom Have the passwords to your child’s accounts Have the passwords to your child’s accounts

or be listed as a friendor be listed as a friend Consider using a monitoring software: (e.g. Consider using a monitoring software: (e.g.

WebWatcher or SpectorPro 6)WebWatcher or SpectorPro 6)


Rules for Screen-timeRules for Screen-time

Utilize a contractUtilize a contract Place computers in “public” areaPlace computers in “public” area Limit screen-time to 1-2 hours weekdays and Limit screen-time to 1-2 hours weekdays and

2-4 hours on the weekend days2-4 hours on the weekend days Have all passwords or be listed as a “friend” Have all passwords or be listed as a “friend”

on child’s webpageon child’s webpage Don’t allow “multitasking”Don’t allow “multitasking” All screen-time ends ½ hour before bedtimeAll screen-time ends ½ hour before bedtime Remove phone, internet and TV access at Remove phone, internet and TV access at

bedtimebedtime


Positive Aspects of Internet Positive Aspects of Internet CommunicationCommunication

Can keep your child connected with their peers Can keep your child connected with their peers (e.g. school friends, camp peers, etc.)(e.g. school friends, camp peers, etc.)

Youth can learn how to communicate online, Youth can learn how to communicate online, craft a public identity, create a home page, post craft a public identity, create a home page, post links etc.links etc.

MySpace and Facebook are equivalent to a MySpace and Facebook are equivalent to a “hang out”“hang out”

Internet communication and texting sometimes Internet communication and texting sometimes allows youth to delve deeper into subjects they allows youth to delve deeper into subjects they would otherwise be uncomfortable to discusswould otherwise be uncomfortable to discuss

It helps youth express themselves who are shy It helps youth express themselves who are shy or have difficulty in verbal communicationor have difficulty in verbal communication

Documents

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