HPA Behavioral Health Convention

Screens and the wonderful world-wide-web can be life-lines for kids and families living remotely here in the islands. At the same time, there is increasing data that screen time may contribute to adolescent depression and anxiety, and screens are often the number one thing that parents report arguing about with their children.  Furthermore,  there is evidence that screen addictions (particularly compulsions to play video games and consume on-line pornography) are impacting countless youth and teens now.  Screen- addicted youth show many of the same signs and symptoms as substance abusing adults, and there is some evidence that excessive screen time in childhood may set the stage for struggle with other addictions as young people age.  This forum will explore the most recent best practice strategies for assessing and intervening with childhood and teen screen addiction. Clinicians will be provided information that will urge them to work with families to establish healthy moderate relationships with technology.
 
Specific Learning Objectives
1) Participants will be able to explain brain science, research and clinical trends related to screen addiction and kids and teens
2) Participants will identify three clear strategies and scripts for talking to kids and teens about pornography and videogaming addictions
3) Participants will explain the most recent understanding of best practices for treating screen addiction
4) Participants will learn how to work with families to establish family guidelines (parents too!) for technology time and family life