Who Are We?
Screen Smart Kids was founded 5 years ago by Dr Rose Cantali (educational and developmental psychologist) and Dr Philip Tam (child and adolescent psychiatrist), to develop an awareness around the potential impacts of screen-overuse in young persons’ social and academic well being. Following their combined research and clinical experience, they have developed a pioneering assessment and treatment program, that assists clinicians in their formulation and management of screen-overuse problems.
Our expanding team has developed strong connections with parent groups, schools and universities, and we have now begun the trial phase of our treatment-program and assessment tool in clinical and in school settings. We expect to finalise and release this program by the end of July 2020.
Screen Smart Kids was founded 5 years ago by Dr Rose Cantali (educational and developmental psychologist) and Dr Philip Tam (child and adolescent psychiatrist), to develop an awareness around the potential impacts of screen-overuse in young persons’ social and academic well being. Following their combined research and clinical experience, they have developed a pioneering assessment and treatment program, that assists clinicians in their formulation and management of screen-overuse problems.
Our expanding team has developed strong connections with parent groups, schools and universities, and we have now begun the trial phase of our treatment-program and assessment tool in clinical and in school settings. We expect to finalise and release this program by the end of July 2020.
What is Screen Addiction?
In 2018/2019 the World Health Organisation recognised screen addiction as a psychiatric disorder. The presentation is similar to that of other addictions such as substance or gambling addiction. Clinical Screen Addiction affects approximately 1-2% of Australian children. Approximately 85% of children aged 10 and over exceed national usage recommendations, and at least 15% of children aged 10 and over are using screens at two or more times the national recommendations.
Parents and schools are concerned about the increase of students demonstrating psychological and behavioural symptoms resulting from overuse of screen time and its impact on their mental health and the function of the family unit. In the 2019 Australian Parent Council survey of parents found 90% of parents were concerned about their childrens’ mental health. 62% of parents reported stressing about their lack of knowledge in recognising whether their child have a clinical problem and if so how to support them. These figures reflect the findings of Australian national surveys conducted on Australian youth mental health issues.
Over the past two decades, there has also been a marked increase in research and treatment of what is popularly dubbed ‘internet addiction’, or ‘video-game addiction’, and in early 2019 the World Health Organisation formally ratified what they term Gaming Disorder as a recognised mental health disorder, in their 11th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
This problem of screen addiction is significant as it often triggers serious mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression disorders and suicide risk. It is a key concern reported by all stakeholders. Stakeholders not just parents but schools, the children themselves, governments from all levels and now large technology companies that recognise to have some responsibility in creating this problem.
The Australian Educational Council are currently investigating problems associated with screen addiction and in particular, exploring best practices to support parents and schools. Hence psychologists will play a significant role in supporting young people and families to better manage issues associated with high screen use and for the development of screen use resilience.
In 2018/2019 the World Health Organisation recognised screen addiction as a psychiatric disorder. The presentation is similar to that of other addictions such as substance or gambling addiction. Clinical Screen Addiction affects approximately 1-2% of Australian children. Approximately 85% of children aged 10 and over exceed national usage recommendations, and at least 15% of children aged 10 and over are using screens at two or more times the national recommendations.
Parents and schools are concerned about the increase of students demonstrating psychological and behavioural symptoms resulting from overuse of screen time and its impact on their mental health and the function of the family unit. In the 2019 Australian Parent Council survey of parents found 90% of parents were concerned about their childrens’ mental health. 62% of parents reported stressing about their lack of knowledge in recognising whether their child have a clinical problem and if so how to support them. These figures reflect the findings of Australian national surveys conducted on Australian youth mental health issues.
Over the past two decades, there has also been a marked increase in research and treatment of what is popularly dubbed ‘internet addiction’, or ‘video-game addiction’, and in early 2019 the World Health Organisation formally ratified what they term Gaming Disorder as a recognised mental health disorder, in their 11th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
This problem of screen addiction is significant as it often triggers serious mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression disorders and suicide risk. It is a key concern reported by all stakeholders. Stakeholders not just parents but schools, the children themselves, governments from all levels and now large technology companies that recognise to have some responsibility in creating this problem.
The Australian Educational Council are currently investigating problems associated with screen addiction and in particular, exploring best practices to support parents and schools. Hence psychologists will play a significant role in supporting young people and families to better manage issues associated with high screen use and for the development of screen use resilience.