Live and Learn Academy Presents:
"The Virtual Trap: Internet Addiction in Teens and Youth and Strategies for Change"
With Dr. Emily Fountas
An introductory 3 module course taught by Professor Fountas aimed at helping you understand the growing epidemic of tech overuse in youth and its impact on mental health, relationships, behaviour and performance.
The latest studies on the effects of net overuse on mental health, relationships, performance, behaviour, and thinking
From an expert educator
Through engaging, lively, easy to access content through videos, interviews with experts and text
6 Video Lectures
Supporting Materials
Keynote slides
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References to organizations, experts and further reading for implementing strategies for change
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Interviews with experts
Members Only Discussion Group
Weekly Q and A with Emily Fountas
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Members only Facebook group
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Interviews with Q and A on upcoming youtube channel
Certificate of Completion
Optional completion of 4-6 assignments in order to get a Certificate of Completion
WHY LEARN ABOUT INTERNET ADDICTION?
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48% of those between 15-28 years old are online virtually all day long according to a Pew Research Survey of July 2019
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children are online an average of 6 hours including those under 5 years old which is not advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics
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anxiety and depression have skyrocketed in teens and have been linked to use of social media
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teen suicide is now the leading cause of death and has been linked to tech overuse
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dating among teens has dropped by 63% and face-to-face time by 70% in the last 10 years with long-term effects of virtual replacement of real relationships just starting to be examined
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20,000 teens have died every year from suicide in the last 10 years which has been linked to cyber-bullying and loss of self-worth through use of social media
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learning and academic performance have suffered from attention deficits, lack of concentration, impaired memory and physical brain changes that occur with tech use and overuse
Over 6,000 students
30 years of experience
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT IS INTERNET ADDICTION?
The course examines several different definitions of addiction as it is not a simple behaviour to define. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (2013) offers a definition of gaming addiction which we may consider in terms of net overuse including social media:
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Preoccupation with gaming
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Withdrawal symptoms when gaming is taken away or not possible (sadness, anxiety, irritability)
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Tolerance, the need to spend more time gaming to satisfy the urge
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Inability to reduce playing, unsuccessful attempts to quit gaming
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Giving up other activities, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities due to gaming
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Continuing to game despite problems
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Deceiving family members or others about the amount of time spent on gaming
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The use of gaming to relieve negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness
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Risk, having jeopardized or lost a job or relationship due to gaming
Julia Komitas
The Virtual Trap is the most enlightening course I've taken! I wish it had been offered at my university. It really helped me understand the background to some of the issues with relationships for my generation.
Jae Kim, M.S.W, R.S.W
Counselling and Psychotherapy Services
"I am very satisfied with "The Virtual Trap: Internet Addiction: Teens, Youth and Strategies for Change". Dr. Fountas put careful consideration into developing the course to deliver information helpful to individuals and their families. The course raises awareness on issues we tend overlook and provides resources to help our understanding. Highly recommended!"
Bob Ramos
Eye-opening information and lots of resources for change. A valuable, life-changing course.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?
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Parents
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Educators
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Therapists
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Youth
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Anyone interested in this important social problem
HOW WILL THIS COURSE HELP YOU?
Learn what tech overuse is, how it is defined, how social media was designed to be addictive and how the algorithms are designed to work
Understand the effects of tech overuse on mental health, relationships, self-concept, behaviour and performance
Discover dozens of resources to help you implement strategies for change
Benefit from a community of others exclusive to others in the course
Take control of the technology and have it serve you and those you care about instead of being victimized and rendered passive
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
INDIVIDUALS
video lectures
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support materials
dozens of resources
exclusive member-only discussion group
SCHOOLS / ORGANIZATIONS
Contact us
