Imagine the sensation of someone you know running their fingernails lightly down your arm. Light touch chills or all-over body tingles are the focus of the latest Internet trend, autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR. ASMR is shaping up to be Gen Z’s answer to handling stress. Videos are popping up everywhere promising stress relief. What is ASMR, and how can it work for you?
Watching an ASMR video for the first time is a weird experience, so viewing with an open mind is key. Instead of relying on touch to create a sensation of chills through your body, ASMR uses sound. Whispers, scraping noises, teeth clicks– nothing is off-limits to try to create this effect.
First-time viewers describe feelings of absurdity and intrigue, as the videos often show close-up shots of the person with their mouth or other object meant to make noise extremely close to a high-quality microphone perfect for picking up soft sounds.
If it seems too silly at first, close your eyes as you listen. Once immersed in the experience, one of two things will happen – nothing and you’ll feel like you wasted three minutes of your life, or you’ll be hooked like millions of others.
Where ASMR Comes From
ASMR is not entirely new. Before its popularity on the Internet, the research uncovered that some people have a greater sensitivity to sounds. Not only are they more sensitive, but they may get a physical feeling from sounds as well.[1]
ASMR is enjoyable to some because resulting chills and tingles are typically pleasurable.Synesthesiais the experience of having more than one sense triggering another in unexpected ways, such as seeing color when you hear a word or tasting sour when looking at a circle.[2] ASMR is similar in that you hear a sound and instantly get a physical sensation. The best way to compare is to think about the feeling you sometimes get when a singer hits a really high note and it sends chills down your body. That’s what viewers of ASMR are trying to capture. At first glance, this may seem like an elaborate joke everyone else is in on, but you don’t get the punchline. But those watching ASMR videos have a goal in mind, they’re trying to relax and relieve stress.
What the Research is Saying
A 2018 study conducted at the University of Sheffield foundthat for some people, watching ASMR videos can lead to a reduction in stress. People who experienced a sensation of “head tingles” and chills when exposed to ASMR videos felt more relaxed after the viewing.[3]
There is the key difference between feelings brought on by ASMR versus more commonly experienced chills that you or me experience at random intervals throughout our lives. In a common scenario, getting the chills brings about a feeling of excitement. But in ASMR, these sensations cause a sense of calm and well-being.
ASMR can also be a sleep aid. But there’s a catch. ASMR appears to only work for people who have an exquisite sensitivity to sounds. If you do not, these types of videos may produce no feelings at all or have the opposite effect and cause mild discomfort.
ASMR can benefit you!
A clear takeaway in choosing to explore ASMR is that there is no risk in trying. Either you will hate it or love it. If you love it and can now count yourself in the number of people with an autonomous sensory meridian response, consider incorporating a video or two into your weekly routine. It can be a quick 5–minute de-stress at the end of the day or a unique solution for those nights when you just can’t seem to fall asleep.
The weirdness of ASMR is also the beauty of it. It’s a good way to embrace the unusual and is something for when you want to relax but also not take yourself too seriously. For all that is out there online, ASMR is one of those positive surprises with no risks involved.
Thank you to GKIS intern, Chelsea Letham for helping us discover ASMR and untap its potentials. Finding ways to unwind is not always easy so taking advantage of what is at our disposal online is important. Would you like to share your experiences with ASMR or your opinions about what your read in our articles? Please comment below and “like” our GetKidsInternetSafe Facebook page so other parents can find us.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
PS. Want to try an ASMR video yourself? Chelsea recommends this one:
Works Cited
Roberts, N., Beath, A., & Boag, S. (2018). Autonomous sensory meridian response: Scale development and personality correlates. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice doi:10.1037/cns0000168
Poerio G. Could Insomnia Be Relieved with a YouTube Video? The Relaxation and Calm of ASMR. In: Callard F, Staines K, Wilkes J, editors. The Restless Compendium: Interdisciplinary Investigations of Rest and Its Opposites. Basingstoke (UK): Palgrave Macmillan; 2016. Chapter 15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK453209/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-45264-7_15
Poerio GL, Blakey E, Hostler TJ, Veltri T (2018) More than a feeling: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is characterized by reliable changes in affect and physiology. PLoS ONE 13(6): e0196645. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196645
There is a YouTube/TikTok trend of parents pulling pranks on their kids for viral shares. Some appear to be innocent jokes. Others are recordings of parents screaming at their children while the kids cry. Debates fill comment sections on how wrong it is to capitalize on “bullying” a vulnerable child. Professionals argue that this “comedy” violates trust and traumatizes children. It has even been argued that sharing milder pranks is still harmful, exposing children to the cruelty of internet trolls. In contrast, fans of the pranking videos complain that people need to lighten up. After all, we survived similarly harmless pranks when we were kids. Read this article and ask yourself, “When is the line crossed between comedic relief to child abuse?”
YouTube’s Response
YouTube videos go viral, fast. The comedy of pranking gives videos an extra boost in popularity. Yet, they got so out of hand that YouTube clarified their child safety policies in January 2019. They added that the mere perception of endangerment or vulnerability is unacceptable:
“We’ve made it clear that our policies prohibiting harmful and dangerous content also extend to pranks with a perceived danger of serious physical injury. We don’t allow pranks that make victims believe they’re in serious physical danger – for example, a home invasion prank or a drive-by shooting prank. We also don’t allow pranks that cause children to experience severe emotional distress, meaning something so bad that it could leave the child traumatized for life.”[1]
The Invisibility Prank
The invisibility prank was a fad for some time. In these pranks, families were videoed as they deceived children into believing that a magic chant made them disappear.[4]
Here’s how it worked:
First, the main pranksters let family members in on the joke so they can play along. Then the pranksters volunteer the child for a “disappearing magic trick.” The child sits on a chair in the middle of the room while the audience surrounds him. The magician covers the child with a blanket, and says three magic words, then ta-da! This is the audience’s cue to act completely surprised that the trick worked. Some get angry saying, “This isn’t funny! Bring him back!” Others gasp in astonishment. Whenever the child touches someone, they pretend to be spooked by this unseen force. The biggest part of this prank takes place when the pranksters ask the child to take a picture. The child doesn’t know the pranksters staged the picture beforehand. The fake picture shows the prankster’s arm hugging nothing. That empty space is where the child was supposed to be. The child sobs at this point because they’re desperate for acknowledgment.[2]
The Martin Case
An infamous case of YouTube pranking is that of the YouTube channel “DaddyoFive.” After their local county received several citizen complaints, the YouTube couple lost custody of two children in 2017. A county judge sentenced Michael and Heather Martin to five years of probation on child neglect charges. A neuropsychologist determined that the children experienced “observable, identifiable, and substantial impairments of their mental or psychological ability to function.”
The Martins had over 300 videos of them verbally, mentally, and or physically abusing their children for “pranks.” The Martins pleaded that the pranks supported their family with thousands of dollars of YouTube ad profit.[8]
Where the Line Is Crossed
At GetKidsInternetSafe we put children first, always. We believe that supporting child mental health and a strong, positive parent-child alliance is extremely important.
Pranking, which takes the form of bullying, may traumatize children if it repeatedly creates emotional, mental, and or physical duress.[5][7] Victims of pranking may suffer chronic anxiety, as they remain hypervigilant for the next prank will occur. Once pranked, they may no longer trust their parents or their surroundings. Surprise pranks may contribute to social issues, defiance, cyclic bullying, depression, and aggression.[7] Children with pre-existing behavioral and mental health issues are particularly vulnerable.[7]
Before the Internet, family pranks were private and lost their sparkle quickly in favor of empathetic support and good judgment. YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat broadcast private moments to thousands and sometimes millions of strangers.[5] Strangers in the community and friends at school get to see a child pee their pants from being so scared. While the world laughs at their fragility, the loss of privacy magnifies their insecurity.[6] This embarrassment extends at-home bullying to the public causing cyberbullying or public harassment.[7]
YouTubers, like Logan Paul, increasingly push the boundaries to increase viewers and keep people entertained. These prank-based YouTube channels push the same boundaries but for the sake of their children’s health and safety.
The Balance
Not all parents maliciously prank their children to the extremes. For some families, jokes and ongoing pranks are traditions that bond everyone together.[9] In our family, we yell “123 not it” at the end of our meals at restaurants. Whoever is last has to carry the leftovers out and put them in the fridge when we get home.
When children are mature and the jokes are gentle, pranks can be positive lessons in trust.[9] According to sociologist Gary Alan Fine, “We can play these games with each other and we trust each other sufficiently that we won’t get angry, that we will be friends afterward, despite this momentary uncomfortableness.”[9] Pranks also help people develop a sense of humor, which is a useful coping skill.[5]
Arguably, parents tricking their children into believing that the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus exist are good examples of appropriate pranks. The jokes gently play with the child’s innocence. These videos are memories cherished with laughter as our children grow older. They exhibit pure-hearted children living happy childhoods.
Things to Consider Before Posting a Prank Video
Trust your gut.
Every child’s temperament varies. Cultures, ethnicities, and family dynamics all differ. How a child will react to a prank is best known by their parent. Parental instinct and listening to our guts are our best courses of action.
Ask your child before posting.
Part of the GKIS Connected Family Screen Agreement explains that family members will not post images or videos of each other without permission. This is a critical step to building important dialogue for negotiation and trust. This applies to pranking as well.
Anticipate how that video will be received by other adults and peers.
It’s easy to get caught by the urge to instantly share hilarious moments with the internet. But take a moment before hitting “post” to consider how your child will feel in a year or two with the video still online. Think about who has access to your content. Follow the GKIS Grandma Test: “Would grandma have a problem seeing this?”
Will it target your child for further bullying?
For example, imagine a group of fifth graders seeing your family’s prank. Will they be laughing with your child or at them? Will they give your child a demeaning nickname?
Will copycat behaviors be unkind or cruel?
Anticipating the consequences of these videos is essential before posting.
Thanks to Hanna Dangiapo for covering this important, sensitive issue. If you’re ready to start a more positive, cooperative connection with your family and increase screen sanity, check out our GKIS Connected Family Online Course. With 10 easy steps, you can bring the fun back into family life.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Most parents are baffled by the YouTube celebrity phenomenon so popular with kids and teens. To keep us in-know, our last GKIS article, Why are YouTube Celebrities Popular?, explained why YouTube celebrities are so popular. It looks easy, but the truth is attracting and keeping viewers is not as easy as it looks. Recently, YouTube celebrities have been coming out in droves talking about their struggles with mental health issues. Is this a fad topic intended to attract more viewers? Is it a valuable community service, because it offers mental health information? Or are YouTube celebrities actually stressed out and overextended to maintain earnings? Find out what’s behind the curtain of YouTube celebritydom and how practicing tried-and-true self-care methods is the answer for staying healthy and successful.
The Breakdown Video
In 2016, top YouTube celebrity PewDiePie reached his breaking point. In a video titled “I QUIT (for now),” he announced that he couldn’t keep up the pace of uploading videos daily. Even the wildly successful veteran PewDiePie was crumbling under the stress and anxiety of a daily vlog.
Elle Mills is a more recent celebtrity who became an overnight sensation last year with her coming out video, increasing her subscriber count to 1.2 million. Soon after, she posted her burnout video. In her seven-minute emotional video, she explains:
“This is all I ever wanted. And why the fuck am I so unfucking unhappy? It- It doesn’t make any sense. You know what I mean? Because, like this is literally my fucking dream. And I’m fucking so unfucking happy. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s so stupid. It is so stupid.”
Because of the fast changes in her life and the effect YouTube was having on her, she decided to take a break to recuperate and find her love for creating content again.
Bobby Burns gained almost a million subscribers in less than two weeks after working with celebrity Shane Dawson. Shortly after, Burn abruptly decided to move to Los Angeles and change his content. Sadly, Burn received a lot of backlash from Shane fans and his subscriber numbers ultimately declined under accusations of selling out and changing content for Shane. Eventually this led to his video explaining his breakdown, saying:
“I didn’t make videos, I did- I literally didn’t do anything. I tried- I tried incredibly hard but I couldn’t. I would go to touch my camera or touch premiere and I would just have a full-blown anxiety attack. When this was first happening I was so confused, I was like why? I love making videos so why the fuck is this happening? And the reason that was happening is because I completely burnt myself out and I lost myself in YouTube.”
Common Elements Behind YouTube Celebrity Breakdowns
AdSense:When YouTubers are first starting out, they receive their money through Google AdSense. The amount of money received depend on two key factors, the types of ads and the pricing of ads appearing in your videos. So, whenever a viewer clicks on an ad on your YouTube channel, you get paid a certain amount of money. This creates a pressure to upload daily among YouTubers, so they can maintain their status as a YouTube celebrity and have a consistent flow of income.
Always-Changing YouTube Algorithms:An algorithm is a set of rules created to solve a class of problems. When we speak of YouTube algorithms, we are referring to the specifications that get one’s video offered up to viewers. There is big competition. Every minute there are over 400 hours of videos uploaded to YouTube, making it necessary to have a way to make content easier to find.[1] According to YouTube, the point of having the search and discovery system are to help viewers find videos they want.
Initially, the algorithm was fairly simple, rewarding the most clicked videos. Now videos are rewarded by the number of minutes the video is viewed, among other factors. Staying relevant creates a lot of pressure to produce fresh, new, and creative content each upload.
Currently, the six ways the algorithm can affect where YouTuber’s videos appear are through search results, suggested video stream, recommended viewing, trending stream, the viewer’s subscriptions, and any notifications the viewer has set up. [1]
Demonetization:Another concern is the fear and frustration of having your video demonetized. Demonetization means that the video is not suitable for monetization (making money from ads), since it does not comply with YouTube guidelines. However, this continues to be a frustrating and confusing topic for YouTubers since YouTube’s software decides if the video is advertiser-friendly. Software occasionally messes up ad revenue by incorrectly putting it in the ‘demonetization’ category. This can have a costly financial impact.
Brand Ambassadorships & Product Lines: Not only must YouTube celebrities manage their own brands, but they often partner with others. Typically that means partnering with somebody with a similar platform (number of subscribers). Other times, there’s pressure to earn the attention of a bigger celebrity. In order to be marketable, one must create and test content to build an attractive business portfolio. Another way to increase profits and expand influence is to create a personal product line. One business quickly leads to others…
Is YouTube doing enough to support YouTube celebrities?
YouTube Creator Academy launched in 2013 for the purpose of providing free educational videos on starting a YouTube channel or helping your channel be successful. Creator Academy courses include foundation, production, growing your channel, earning money and building your business on YouTube, and YouTube content categories. [2]
The course “Staying well and avoiding burnout” was added in June, 2018. Polygon writer, Julia Alexander, writes:
“There is no concrete answer for how YouTube executives and employees can tackle burnout. They can offer more transparency around monetization and copyright rules…but it’s going to take a lot of experimenting and communication. Tools like the community tab, which offer creators a chance to hang out and talk to fans without needing to work on a video is just one step.” [3]
Avoiding Burnout
YouTuber celebrity and vlogger, Casey Neistat, offers, the following suggestions for preventing YouTube burnout:
Take a break.
It’s important to give yourself a break from the fast pace of YouTube. Letting your viewers know that you are taking time to recuperate and take care of yourself shows an openness and bond as a creator. Go on that long-awaited vacation without feeling guilty.
Spend time with family and friends.
Usually a YouTuber’s time consists of long hours of planning, filming, and editing. Having a balance of work and play are crucial for one’s mental health. When you spend time with family and friends it can be a time to unwind and not focus on YouTube. Remember, you still have a life outside of YouTube, and it doesn’t always need to be publicized to millions of viewers in the world.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
This can mean many things. Hiring more hands-on deck to film the content, edit videos, manage social media outlets, and create a balance on work and life can remove those added pressures and creative blockage. For impairing mental health issues, seek professional help.
Diversify your income.
YouTube ad revenue isn’t the only way to make money. The membership site, Patreon,is an outlet for YouTubers to create a page so subscribers can pay to get bonus creator content. Forming a direct relationship with sponsors can also help funding. Being a part of events that hold Q&A panels, conferences, or platforms for YouTubers also help. Production deals with media companies like Netflix or Disney can offer lucrative revenue. Finding ways to diversify your income is important to weather dips in one revenue source.
At the end of the day, YouTube businesses are like other entrepreneurial ventures. Staying centered, learning how to tolerate risk, build support for wearing multiple hats and ultimately outsource, and learning how to manage teams and finances are critical for success. Want to learn more about YouTube’s impact on kids? Checkout YouTube Beauty Gurus Suck Money and Teen Confidence and GetKidsInternetSafe Tips for YouTube.
Thank you to CSUCI Intern, Sasha Mejia for taking the initiative to research and write this article in response to your insights!
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
We’ve all been there. Stuck at work, school, or home. We pick up our phones and click on Instagram. There’s BFF Julie on her amazing trip to Japan – 150 likes in 42 minutes. Then check out Twitter. There’s co-worker Andrew’s fun video of an amazing concert at the coolest venue in town. His text post fetched 27 comments. “Wow! That looks so fun!” “I’m so glad I ran into you last night!” “Did you get the pictures I sent you?” You put your phone down and instantly get hit with a wave of sadness. Everybody seems to be having more fun than you. Are you going about life all wrong?
FOMO
FOMO or “fear of missing out” is a form of social anxiety in response to seeing activities streamed on social media. These feelings can blossom into immediate disappointment or long-term feelings of inadequacy. You know you should be happy. You’re ashamed of it. But still … people who experience FOMO the most tend to be extremely active on social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.[1]
Who suffers from FOMO?
Although FOMO adversely affects all ages, recent studies conclude that FOMO is most common among teens. Nearly 60% of teenagers experience anxiety when they become aware of plans being made without them or can’t get ahold of their friends. Another 63% are upset when they have to cancel plans with friends.[2] Among the other age groups, an overwhelming 61% of subjects aged 18-34 state they have more than one social media account, while 27% state they check their Facebook feeds immediately upon awakening.[3]
FOMO Risks
Compulsive social media checking that gets in the way of everyday activities and leads to texting and driving, like “snap and drive” which is careless driving while Snapchatting.
The inability to prioritize important responsibilities over fun social media posting.
Posting shocking activities like binge drinking and drug use.
Spending lots of money to post expensive designer items.[4]
The constant need to feed is a surefire way to develop feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. FOMO makes us feel lonelier, inferior, and less successful.[5]
Reducing FOMO Anxiety
Get real.
A fun post here and there is not reflective of the “perfect” life. Everybody hurts sometimes, even the pretty ones.
Cop to it.
Once you admit to it, it’s easier to control it and create a plan of action to work through it.[6]
Be in the present.
Practice mindfulness techniques like anchoring – attending to your current surroundings, what you see, feel, hear, smell, and your breathing.[7]
Recommit to your nonvirtual life.
Pet that dog you always see on your way to school or work. Stop and smell the flowers. Read a book in the park. Give yourself ample time to finally finish that term paper or work project. Commit to doing one of those today, right now!
Temporarily detox.
If momentary disconnection is a struggle, delete apps off your phone and use psychological wellness app support. Cool detox apps include Moment, Flipd, and Forest. Detox apps offer fun and clever incentives to get off your phone. For instance, Forest incites you to not open social media by illustrating breaks with forest growth and how large and lush and large you can grow your forest.[8]
Seek counseling.
If all else fails, talk it out. Since FOMO is seen as a cognitive distortion, cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be highly effective by offering thought-reconstructing tools. In other words, identifying stinking thinking and replacing it with can-do thinking can greatly improve mood and feelings of well-being.[9] Fewer social media posts may mean a fulfilling life is being lived off-camera rather than no life happening at all.
Thank you to Tammy Castaneda for contributing to this GKIS article. Fomo is becoming an increasing problem for kids and adolescents. If your child is still in elementary school, hold off until middle school before you allow their first social media app. If your teen showing problematic behavior, take action. To prevent clinical symptoms related to screen use, check out our GKIS Connected Family Online Course. In 10 easy steps, you can learn how to encourage healthy screen habits and a happier household.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
[4]What is FOMO? (And How the Fear of Missing Out Limits Your Personal Success). (2018, July 27). Retrieved September 14, 2018, from https://www.developgoodhabits.com/fear-of-missing-out/
[9Staff, G. (2016, April 14). Overcoming FOMO: What Fuels Your Fear of Missing Out? Retrieved September 17, 2018, from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/overcoming-fomo-what-fuels-your-fear-of-missing-out-0418167
Screen addiction is officially a thing. As a mom and clinical psychologist for over 25 years, I recognized and identified it in 2014 when I founded GetKidsInternetSafe from treating hundreds of families in my private practice. Teaching addiction studies at CSUCI also highlighted the similarities between drugs and screen behaviors for me. Like everybody else, I too was having a hard time chasing my kids off our screens. Honestly, even I was getting lost in my research and on Facebook, losing the ability to chill and read a novel. I started to worry about my family. From there, I wrote my book Screen Time in the Mean Time, offered keynotes and presentations, consulted with tech companies, coached families, built and tested my online courses, and created a weekly blog. And, after all that, the World Health Organization finally confirmed what I’ve been screaming from the rooftops. Big tech creates screen products that are manipulatively designed to trigger the pleasure centers of our brains, and we are, in fact, clinically addicted.
Gaming Addiction
Nearly 60% of parents think their teens are addicted to their mobile devices. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified gaming addiction (IGD)as a mental health disorder. In the last twenty years, the tech revolution has affected every aspect of our lives. Studies have shown that, for some subjects, compulsive screen use impacts the reward and pleasure areas of the brain in the same ways that alcohol, drugs, and other behavioral addictions do. Screen addiction treatment centers have been popping up in Asia for the last decade and are starting to be in the United States as well. Do you worry your child may be showing signs of screen addiction?
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“Remember, when Betty Ford first admitted she was an alcoholic, we didn’t have people believing it was actually a problem until she came around and talked about her own problems with it. This is a place for people to go for help, and that we hope will help everyone around them stop taking Internet addiction so lightly.”
Kimberly Young (founder of The Center for Internet Addiction in 1995)
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Who is to blame?
Parents
Of course, we have some accountability for what happens under our roofs. Pester power breaks us down, and we allow too much screen use even though we know better. We need a break in our overtasked, screen-saturated lives. We can’t entertain our rug rats 24-7.
Kids
They are so persistent! They CRAVE screen use and are master manipulators. Children are vulnerable to screen addiction because their brains are not fully developed, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control and decision-making. Children who suffer from trauma like bullying, divorce, and abuse, as well as from psychological vulnerabilities like ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders, and autism are particularly vulnerable.
Schools
Schools are increasingly adopting curriculums that require screen use and Internet access during classroom and homework time. Without digital literacy, our kids academically falter. If you are reading this as part of your Social Media Readiness Course, then either your parents or your school are doing an awesome job prepping you to avoid addiction issues down the line.
Big Tech
Screens are programmed to addict us. Big tech, like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, are experts in how to keep us coming back for more. Using secret computer algorithms, our online behavior is studied, collected, and aggregated. This data is used to create and deliver content in the ways our brains will effortlessly absorb it. That translates to targeted ads for clicks and money leaving our bank accounts. Big profit indeed.
The Gaming Industry
The gaming industry made 183 billion dollars last year. Multi-level, high-sensory games, like Fortnite, are intentionally programmed for addictive use. Players are rewarded for staying on and punished for getting off. This keeps kids on-screen, vulnerable to hours of autonomic overarousal. That means they burn too much brain fuel and are left fatigued and in mental brown-out.
The Government
Where is the regulation to protect kids? Are civil liberties really that strong that legislators can’t step in to help parents protect their kids against known harm like online pornography? Or is it that research and treatment organizations can’t compete with rich lobbyists who get direct access to our legislators? Did you know that the advertising budget for Budweiser alone exceeds the entire budget for research on alcoholism and all drugs of addiction?
How common is Internet Gaming Addiction?
Recent studies claim that around 1 – 5% of the US population could be classified as Internet game addicts. It is most common among single young males. Male Internet addiction most typically involves video gaming, cyber-pornography, and online gambling. Women are more likely to show addictive use patterns with social media, texting, and online shopping. IGD commonly cooccurs with depression, anxiety, AD/HD, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositionality, suicidality, and personality disorders.
Other risk factors include living in the city, not living with a biological parent, low parent involvement, parent unemployment, and not having a reliable friend.
Consequences of IGD include skipping school, lower grades, family conflicts, lack of offline sociality, sleep problems, and unresolved developmental problems. These factors, along with emotional problems, often result in the addict lacking the very resources necessary to break out of the addictive cycle.
What do brain studies say?
Brain imaging studies have found brain changes like those seen in subjects with drug addictions. In other words, the more we play video games, the more our brains change and adapt.
Activation pattern changes that result in brain tissue changes are called adaptive neuroplasticity.
More specifically, subjects with video game addiction show a reduction in gray and white brain matter and reduced cortical thickness in various areas of the brain. The more the gamer plays, the more brain changes. Studies have also found evidence of dopamine release and higher activity in the brain’s pleasure center when playing video games. Heavy gamers have significantly more difficulty calming their emotions and making sound decisions than nongamers.
Thank you to CSUCI Intern, Katherine Bryan for contributing to this article. Screen addiction is real and now universally recognized. If you worry you are seeing red flags in your home, remember that screen addiction is preventable!
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
