Technology Overuse

Technology: The application of knowledge for practical purposes; machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge

Overuse: To use something too much; excessive or too frequent use

• Digital Distraction Test

  Are you too digitally connected and need to plug back into to life? The Digital Distraction Test from the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction is a simple 12 item quiz to see if you are suffering from Digital Distraction.

• Online Safety Quiz

  Before kids spend time online, they should know how to keep themselves safe in a digital world. Take this quiz with your kids and use each question as a prompt to discuss what your family rules are.

• Internet Addiction Assessment (IAA)

  Are you concerned about your computer or smartphone use. Take this assessment to learn about the symptoms and find out how many Internet Addiction symptoms you may need to seek professional help with.

ACTIVITIES

• Screen Time Guidelines

  Use the screen time guidelines and the health tech rules to help keep your children's brain development on track.

• New Tech Guidelines Contract

  Spark a conversation about healthy digital habits with this new device contract by MediaSmarts.

• Co-Viewing Media Tip Sheet

  Raise media-savvy kids by co-viewing and use this tip sheet from MediaSmarts.

• Digital Citizenship Checklist

  Use the digital citizen checklist to create safety and technology use rules

LINKS

• reSTART

  The first inpatient program for Internet addiction in the United States.

• Rules 'N Tools

  Safety rules and software tools to protect your children online from ProtectKids.com.

ORGANIZATIONS

• Common Sense Media

  Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. 

• Media Smarts

  MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization for digital and media literacy. 

• The Center for Internet Addiction

  The Center for Internet Addiction was founded by Dr. Kimberly Young in 1995. It provides treatment for Internet addiction using CBT-IA©, Young's specialized Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Internet addiction and is the first evidenced-based Digital Detox™ recovery program.

• The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction

  Dr. David Greenfield is the founder of The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where teaches in the psychiatry residency program courses on Sexual Medicine and Internet Addiction. 

READING & RESEARCH

• Excessive Internet Use Resources for Parents

  Resources to help parents respond to excessive internet use from Media Smarts.

• Common Sense Media Research

  The mission of Common Sense Research is to provide parents, educators, health organizations, and policymakers with reliable, independent data on children's use of media and technology and the impact it has on their physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development.

• How TikTok Serves up Sex and Drug videos to Minors

  Article by the Wall Street Journal about how TikTok's algorithm feeds inappropriate content to minors.

Technology: The application of knowledge for practical purposes; machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge

Overuse: To use something too much; excessive or too frequent use

• Digital Distraction Test

  Are you too digitally connected and need to plug back into to life? The Digital Distraction Test from the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction is a simple 12 item quiz to see if you are suffering from Digital Distraction.

• Online Safety Quiz

  Before kids spend time online, they should know how to keep themselves safe in a digital world. Take this quiz with your kids and use each question as a prompt to discuss what your family rules are.

• Internet Addiction Assessment (IAA)

  Are you concerned about your computer or smartphone use. Take this assessment to learn about the symptoms and find out how many Internet Addiction symptoms you may need to seek professional help with

ACTIVITIES

• Screentime and Wellbeing

  Infographic illustrating what the research says about screen time and well-being from TELUS Wise®.

• Digital Citizenship Checklist

  Use this digital citizen checklist to commit to safe and healthy technology use.

ACTIVITIES

• Screen Time Guidelines

  Use the screen time guidelines and the health tech rules to help keep your children's brain development on track.

• New Tech Guidelines Contract

  Spark a conversation about healthy digital habits with this new device contract by MediaSmarts.

• 4 Tips for Managing Kid's Screen Time

  Tips based on the Canadian Pediatric Socity's Position Statement from MediaSmarts.

• Co-Viewing Media Tip Sheet

  Raise media-savvy kids by co-viewing and use this tip sheet from MediaSmarts.

• Digital Citizenship Checklist

  Use the digital citizen checklist to create safety and technology use rules

• Regularly Schedule Days of Unplugging

  Use this link to get a family DIY kit to help reinforce the need to take regularly scheduled days of unplugging from technology.

LINKS

• How Much Screen Time is OK?

  Article by Common Sense that addresses this question including guidelines from the American Academcy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. 

• reSTART

  The first inpatient program for Internet addiction in the United States.

• Effects of Digital Media on Executive Functioning Skills

  Children, Executive Functioning, and Digital Media: A Review, 2020

• Rules 'N Tools

  Safety rules and software tools to protect your children online from ProtectKids.com.

• Tech Trap Resources

  Learn about Persuasive Technology, the 5 apps that kids use to hide apps, and the scoop about TikTok from Deborah Berry, author of The Tech Trap.