THE PARENTING BIZ
Tools To Help Cope With Youth Digital Dependency In Our Increasing Online World By Janay Warren
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ne of the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increase in technology use as a means of connection and entertainment. While there are fantastic games, learning tools, video chat apps and more that has made physical distancing more bearable, a question one may ask is — how much is too much? The struggle for perhaps the majority of parents or caregivers starts when they ask their youth to take a break from their electronics. This request is often met with arguments and resistance. Why does this happen and how can we help these youngsters who are struggling to take a break? There are some practical tips that can assist someone who may be experiencing digital dependency. One of the first steps is to assess the extent of use. A way of doing this is to record or log the amount of time spent with digital sources. This can often highlight the extent of overuse or assess the “balance” or technology time. An important balance applicable to everyone is the time spent online versus offline. If you see the scale is tipped in favour of being more online than not, this could be a signal that change is necessary. Sit down with your youth and create a plan or a schedule. When you create the schedule, it is vital that there is youth involvement, otherwise there may not be engagement or openness. Another technique is to make plans to do something fun together and to ensure you involve other members of the household. Being out of school, separated from friends, and then asking to also separate from online peers is not easy for youth. Making plans that include elements of social connectedness may make the process of “disconnecting” easier. In the end, it is important to establish limits and guidelines. Being firm and adhering to these limits and guidelines is the most important thing that can be said when it comes to curtailing technology use. We recognize this is no easy feat, especially when COVID-19 has left you at home with your youth all day, looking to fill their time and avoid hearing the words, “I’m bored”. Yes, it is a challenging time. There may be difficult days full of outbursts and screaming, and at times it will just feel easier to give in than to follow
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through. However, the more you stay firm, the quicker the outbursts will fade. Concerns about addiction, dependence or overuse of tech is something HôtelDieu Grace Healthcare’s (HDGH) Centre for Problem Gambling and Digital Dependency (CPGDD) hears quite often. Regarding technology, there is no official diagnostic tool that will definitively say whether someone has a digital dependency. Instead, the counselling staff at the CPGDD uses an individualized and holistic approach that analyzes how someone may be negatively affected by technology. When working with younger children, family or caregiver involvement is imperative to creating and maintaining change. Recognizing the importance of caregiver engagement, the CPGDD collaborated with colleagues at HDGH’s Regional Children’s Centre to create the “Heads Up” program. Heads Up is a five week workshop that assists parents and caregivers when working through challenges around digital dependency. The staff will help facilitate plans such as establishing and setting technology limits, along with helping to address any potential negative behaviours that may surface as a result. After taking these concepts into consideration, you may be able to justify whether or not your feelings about your child’s digital dependency are valid. And if so, you can use these tips to help ease any “tech-stress” within your home. If you find that you or your loved one is struggling, CPGDD has counsellors available to help you through this process. Services are available for individuals, parents or caregivers 16 years and older. Learn more at: HDGH.org.
Janay Warren, M.S.W.,R.S.W., CPGC,C.C.A.C., is a counsellor at the Centre For Problem Gambling and Digital Dependency (CPGDD). She first started with this program in 2005 as a part-time support worker in the three week Residential Treatment Centre and began her career thinking she would be working exclusively with substance use. Yet when the opportunity to work at CPGDD presented itself, she took the leap and hasn’t looked back. Working at CPGDD has allowed her to meet some truly wonderful individuals who happened into rough times. It has also allowed her to grow as a professional after starting as a support worker, then returning to school and now working as a counsellor for the past two years. It’s truly been a rewarding experience for Janay to work with local individuals and families.
B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 0
LET 'S TALK ABOUT . . .
If A Local Digital Currency Is Right For Windsor By Harry Lauder
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oney flows to the centre. It is an economic reality that throughout history has always been true. The wealth of nations and empires is inevitably drawn from the outer provinces to the centre of power. It is said to be the price we pay for the benefits of living in a great society, but there are times when the payments exacted outweigh the benefits. Whatever happens, after COVID-19 finally releases its grip on our community, it won’t be business as usual. Social distancing protocols and lockdowns have done their work. Measures intended to protect us have come with a cost. Hard times have arrived, but the wealth of our community continues to be drained away. Is there a way to stop that? Can we keep the wealth produced by our community here where it is needed? We are living in interesting times, and novel solutions may be required to set us back on a path to prosperity. Has the time arrived for a complementary currency to be considered? A complementary currency is a medium of exchange intended as an alternative to the national currency. It is not a new idea. Complementary currencies have existed in communities across Europe and the United States for decades. And in 2018 the City of Calgary introduced Canada’s first local digital currency, Calgary Dollars (CalgaryDollars.ca). Calgary Dollars Manager Sierra Love indicates, “Calgary Dollars is both a program and a currency. There are currently $67,268 Calgary Dollars in circulation and 1,425 digital users. As we build collaborations with communities, organizations, and the City, participation increases. Having a strong link with the local government is important. For example, our businesses can pay 50% of their base business licences in Calgary Dollars.” A 2019 survey of Calgary Dollars users found the following: 86% have been
