Have Smartphones destroyed a generation?

Excellent comprehensive piece about what's happening to society via Smartphones, and in particular, Millenials. The takeaway here is that Smartphones generally leave us LESS happy. Speaks to the (overlooked) need for physical interactions, and a reframing of priorities as to how we utilize our hand computers.

CyberaddictionSandy MarshAugust 9, 2017anxiety

For Teenagers, the Pleasure of 'Likes'

Move over sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. For today’s teenager, it’s all about the “likes.”

Individual, CyberaddictionSandy MarshJune 21, 2017Anxiety

My First Sober Heartbreak

The title says is all. Excellent article for those who have been through substance abuse.

"Didn’t he realize that nobody would ever love him the way I did? Was it because I was an addict? Didn’t he realize that it’s because I’m an addict that I love so hard?"

Individual, CyberaddictionSandy MarshJune 5, 2017Addiction

The Phones We Love Too Much

Some thoughts about cellphone etiquette. Feel free to take the "smartphone compulsion test," a link toward the end.

CyberaddictionSandy MarshMay 25, 2017Anxiety

When Playing Video Games Goes Too Far

This is a short piece, with a letter of response. My point in posting this is that we are still very much in the infancy of video gaming and the internet.

CyberaddictionSandy MarshApril 21, 2017Addiction

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Thin

I post this as many people feel that addictions--substance abuse in particular--are physically induced. Yes, and no. But mostly, no.

"Professor Alexander argues this discovery is a profound challenge both to the right-wing view that addiction is a moral failing caused by too much hedonistic partying, and the liberal view that addiction is a disease taking place in a chemically hijacked brain. In fact, he argues, addiction is an adaptation. It’s not you. It’s your cage."

CyberaddictionSandy MarshApril 19, 2017Addiction

My Distraction Sickness — and Yours

I was sitting in a large meditation hall in a converted novitiate in central Massachusetts when I reached into my pocket for my iPhone. A woman in the front of the room gamely held a basket in front of her, beaming beneficently, like a priest with a collection plate. I duly surrendered my little device, only to feel a sudden pang of panic on my way back to my seat. If it hadn’t been for everyone staring at me, I might have turned around immediately and asked for it back. But I didn’t. I knew why I’d come here.

CyberaddictionSandy MarshApril 7, 2017

For Teenagers, the Pleasure of ‘Likes’

While internet "likes" can be positive social cues, the yearning for "likes" can often become obsessive, and heighten teen anxiety. Check in with your kids. Dialogue with them about "likes" and what these "likes" are about for them. It's an excellent opportunity to "hear" your teens, and for you to be supportive, and heard in return.

"A “like,” for the uninitiated, refers to the positive feedback given to a post on social media. And new research shows that likes appear to be somewhat intoxicating to teenagers. The same reward center in the brain that is involved in the sensation of pleasure and activated by thoughts of sex, money or ice cream also is turned on when teenagers see their photos getting a lot of likes on social media."

CyberaddictionSandy MarshApril 7, 2017Teens

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