NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Popular, controversial, and now – according to the World Health Organization – video games have just been recognized as a behavioral addiction.
According to Pew research, 97 percent of teen boys and 83 percent of girls play games on some kind of device. Now, videogaming is an internationally recognized addiction, according to the WHO.
Andrew Malekoff of North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center told CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan the International Classification of Diseases now includes an entry on “gaming disorder” as a behavioral addiction.
“Similar to other addictions, like with drugs or alcohol, a lot of time is spent thinking about ‘When is the next game,’” Malekoff said.
Studies show those vulnerable are unable to stop playing, even when it interferes with their lives.
Some experts suggest rather that going cold turkey on technology, focus on reduction. Keep devices out of the bedroom, make sure young people go to school, spend time with friends, and play outdoors, McLogan reported.
Not everyone is caught in a gaming web. The New York Institute of Technology is one college in our area that offers students a major in game design and development.
“There’s a lot companies looking for engineers, computer science engineers, to code their websites to stay ahead of the esports curve,” said Elieser Duran, head coach of e-sports at NYIT. “Here at NYIT, making sure all pieces are in place, so the moment they graduate they can get a job in the industry that is flourishing right now.’
Rep. Peter King says gaming is a legitimate issue to explore.
“I think its important to have hearings on it, to see if there is a role for legislation, to educate the public, get it out there, bring in the experts,” King said.
He says putting down devices more often is a good start.
Doctors say until the U.S. psychiatric profession agrees with the World Health Organization that gaming addiction is an official diagnosis, it will be difficult to bill insurers for treatment.
Does spending time outdoors as a child improve mental health as an adult? According to a new European study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, exposure to nature—or what the researcher calls NOEs, for natural outdoor environments—does, indeed, lead to better mental health for youngsters as they grow into their adult years.
The study found that, “Compared to high levels of childhood NOE exposure, low levels of childhood NOE exposure were significantly associated with lower mental health scores in adulthood.”
For several years, the Guidance Center has been not only touting the benefits of nature for children’s mental health, but also incorporating experiences in nature into our therapeutic methods.
Case in point: Our two organic gardens—one at our headquarters in Roslyn Heights and the other at our Marks Family Right From the Start 0-3+ Center in Manhasset—where we see children blossom as they learn important skills such as self-confidence, focus, cooperation and responsibility.
“One of the most critical things for kids we work with is to help them build a sense of belonging, mastery and competence,” says Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director of the Guidance Center. “Working in a garden helps children develop self-esteem as they witness what their hard work and dedication can create, and it’s also a way for them to connect with other kids.”
The Guidance Center also has a “Nature Nursery” at our Right From the Start Center, where our youngest clients use all their senses as they play in a sandbox, touch the leaves and pine cones, produce musical sounds on percussive instruments, draw on a chalkboard or paint on an outdoor “canvas.”
The various textures, sounds, smells and sights in the Nature Nursery help children explore their creative sides, share their feelings and learn skills to help them calm down when they are feeling upset or agitated.
Our teen clients reap the benefits of nature through our Wilderness Respite Program, in which they go on hikes to various natural settings and develop important traits such as individual growth, leadership, self-esteem, social bonds and improved communication.
With spring in full bloom, do your kids—and yourself—a favor: Unplug and explore some of Long Island’s fabulous parks, beaches, gardens and playgrounds. These are experiences they’ll remember long after the latest computer gadget is in the junk pile.
For many generations, popular music has played a significant role in the lives of young people. Although it seems quaint now, the uproar over Elvis and his gyrating pelvis or the Beatles and their long hair was a real source of contention among the youth of the 1960s and their parents. But in that same generation, music played a central role in important events like the anti-war movement and the struggle for Civil Rights.
Fast forward several decades to today, and the least of a parent’s concern is long hair or seductive dancing (though “twerking” isn’t something you want to see your kids doing). From pop music to hip hop to heavy metal to RAP, some lyrics have gone far beyond being merely suggestive to downright graphic in nature. Some feature violent images, misogynistic lyrics and the promotion of drug use, with many songs talking about getting high. Others encourage suicide.
One popular band, Pierce the Veil, says the following in its song “Dive In.”
Do you remember the knife I kept? The sharper it got, the more you wanted me to use it I was lying to you, but you were lying too So what’s left to do? What’s left to say? Stop making friends, just us I’ll decompose with you So light the fuse inside your brain and We will detonate
In his song “So Much Better,” Eminen raps, “I got 99 problems and a b*tch ain’t one / She’s all 99 of ’em; I need a machine gun.”
And those are just two examples (and hardly the most disturbing). Plus, the content of videos can be even worse.
Professor Katrina Skewes McFerran, Head of Music Therapy, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, makes the point that kids aren’t passive recipients of music; they are “active agents” when it comes to their interactions with music.
“Most healthy young people will naturally use music in really positive ways – to explore different aspects of their identity, to have a great time, to motivate them to exercise, to distract them from problems, to cover up outside noises so they can focus on homework,” she says. “But if young people are feeling bad, they’re more inclined to use music to deepen in to dark feelings. This can be great for validation and helping them feel understood—but sometimes it goes wrong, and it actually intensifies negative feelings.”
Brooke Hambrecht, LMSW at North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, says she often talks with her clients and their parents about how the music we listen to impacts our mood. “Sometimes teenagers who are down and depressed choose to listen to sad or negative music, which brings their low even further down,” she explains. “Also, kids who are feeling angry and enraged often choose to listen to a song that intensifies their rage.”
Although listening to music is a coping skill, Hambrecht encourages her clients to choose the right kind of music in order for it to be an adaptive coping skill. “Something I talk about is mindful song selecting, or picking music that can bring their mood to a better place—the place they want to be instead of the negative place that they are,” she says.
Here are a few tips to help you talk to your kids about music:
Encourage your child’s love of music—it can be a powerful emotional and creative force in their lives.
Suggest your kids create a “good mood” playlist of songs that make them happy.
Start talking about music with your child from a very young age rather than just when they become tweens or teens. The lessons you teach them when they are young will impact their future choices.
Do keep an “ear” out for the lyrics in the music they are listening to, and if it contains messages that you deem unacceptable, discuss it with them rather than just telling them to stop listening it or criticizing it.
The takeaway: Let the lyrics that you find offensive or worrisome open a conversation about the fact that drugs, alcohol, violence and suicide are not subjects that should be glamorized.
Troy Slade, Mike Mondiello, Dan Donnelly and Michael Schnepper
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center will be holding its 23rd annual Jonathan Krevat Memorial Golf & Tennis Classic on Monday, June 3, at the North Hempstead Country Club in Port Washington, one of the region’s premier courses.
Co-chairs Mike Mondiello, Michael Schnepper and Troy Slade are once again working together to create a stellar event filled with friendly competition, delicious dining and wonderful auction prizes. This year, the event is celebrating the dedicated mental health professionals at the Guidance Center — the people who are at the heart of the many success stories of moving families from hurting to healing.
“The reason the Guidance Center changes so many lives for the better is because the staff is composed of caring, compassionate and highly trained individuals,” said Slade, who is a member of the board of directors. “I’m thrilled that we are celebrating them at this year’s Krevat Cup.”
“This is going to be a phenomenal event,” said Mondiello, also a member of the Guidance Center’s board of directors. “The North Hempstead Country is a beautiful course, and we are excited to hold the Krevat Cup at this elegant location for the first time.”
Established on Long Island’s beautiful and serene Gold Coast in 1916, the North Hempstead Country Club features a tree-lined, manicured golf course designed by renowned architect A. W. Tillinghast, one of the most creative and productive golf course designers ever.
In addition to golf, the event will feature round robin tennis (for the non-golfers among the attendees), a delicious brunch and a gourmet dinner after the day’s games conclude. It will also feature a silent and live auction, with prizes ranging from club seats for a Yankee game to exciting vacation packages and much more.
Dan Donnelly, one of the Guidance Center’s most ardent supporters, as well as a former Krevat Cup honoree, will be serving again as the emcee and auctioneer. “I’m so pleased that this year’s event is celebrating the Guidance Center’s amazing staff,” says Donnelly. “The people working here are such caring souls who are truly devoted to saving lives.”
The other auctioneer for the evening portion of the event is Andrew Marcell, a Guidance Center board member. “The Krevat Cup is one of the most enjoyable events of the season,” Marcell said. “It’s a win-win: Everyone has a terrific time while supporting the lifesaving mission of the Guidance Center.” Andrew Malekoff, executive director of the Guidance Center, said, “The event is crucial to our fundraising efforts, and will help us continue to help thousands of children each year who are struggling with issues such as bullying, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.”
The Guidance Center thanks Fifth Avenue of LI Realty/Americana Manhasset, which has signed on as a Diamond Sponsor.
For those interested in joining a team, attending the dinner, becoming a sponsor or placing a journal ad, it’s not too late. Contact Patrick Madden at 516-626-1971, ext. 309 or via pmadden@northshorechildguidance.org.
From left: Michael Mullman, Ed Geller, Jeff Krevat and Peter Braverman
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center will hold its 23rd annual Jonathan Krevat Memorial Golf & Tennis Classic on Monday, June 3, at the North Hempstead Country Club in Port Washington, one of the region’s premier courses.
Co-chairs Mike Mondiello, Michael Schnepper and Troy Slade are once again working together to create a stellar event filled with friendly competition, delicious dining and wonderful auction prizes. This year, the event is celebrating the dedicated mental health professionals at the Guidance Center—the people who are at the heart of the many success stories of moving families from hurting to healing.
“The reason the Guidance Center changes so many lives for the better is because the staff is composed of caring, compassionate and highly trained individuals,” said Slade, who is a member of the board of directors. “I’m thrilled that we are celebrating them at this year’s Krevat Cup.”
“This is going to be a phenomenal event,” said Mondiello, also a member of the Guidance Center’s Board of Directors. “The North Hempstead Country is a beautiful course, and we are excited to hold the Krevat Cup at this elegant location for the first time!”
Troy Slade, Mike Mondiello, Dan Donnelly and Michael Schnepper
Established on Long Island’s beautiful and serene Gold Coast in 1916, the North Hempstead Country Club features a tree-lined, superiorly manicured golf course designed by renowned architect A. W. Tillinghast, one of the most creative and productive golf course designers ever.
In addition to golf, the event will feature round robin tennis (for the non-golfers among the attendees), a delicious brunch and a gourmet dinner after the day’s games conclude. It will also feature a silent and live auction, with prizes ranging from club seats for a Yankee game to exciting vacation packages and much more.
Dan Donnelly, one of the Guidance Center’s most ardent supporters, as well as a former Krevat Cup honoree, will be serving again as the emcee and auctioneer. “I’m so pleased that this year’s event is celebrating the Guidance Center’s amazing staff,” said Donnelly. “The people working here are such caring souls who are truly devoted to saving lives.”
A tennis player readies her serve.
The other auctioneer for the evening portion of the event is Andrew Marcell, a Guidance Center Board Member. “The Krevat Cup is one of the most enjoyable events of the season,” Marcell said. “It’s a win-win: Everyone has a terrific time while supporting the lifesaving mission of the Guidance Center.”
Executive Director Andrew Malekoff said, “The event is crucial to our fundraising efforts, and will help us continue to help thousands of children each year who are struggling with issues such as bullying, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.”
Fifth Avenue of LI Realty/Americana Manhasset has signed on as a Diamond Sponsor. For those interested in joining a team, attending the dinner, becoming a sponsor or placing a journal ad, contact Patrick Madden at pmadden@northshorechildguidance.org or 516-626-1971, ext. 309.
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center is the preeminent nonprofit, children’s mental health agency on Long Island, dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth to age 24) and their families. For more than 65 years, the Guidance Center has been a place of hope and healing, providing innovative and compassionate treatment to all regardless of their ability to pay.
