Senior Years and Wellbeing 

The Cyber Effect

I have just finished a fascinating yet disturbing book by Dr Mary Aitken a prominent Cyberpsychologist. Dr Aitkens novel the “Cyber Effect” explains how human behavior changes when we are online. What I found most interesting about her research is the impact the internet is having on our children, both positively and negatively. She uses the analogy of a swimming pool. Pools have shallow ends where children are safe. The internet only has a deep end! Children are not protected on the internet and need the support and guidance of adults to help them safely navigate the complicated cyberworld.

How many times do you check your phone a day? Recent research suggests on average we check our phones up to 1500 times a week. Interestingly, there are several apps out there that will count this for you. This might be something to try if you are having trouble managing your habit. An average adult can spend up to 50min a day checking facebook alone. The number of hours we are spending on our mobile phones increases rapidly each year, jumping an average 65% in a two year period. Dr Aitken makes the point that when you are checking your phone you are effectively in a different environment, you are not present in real world terms. This is time that could be spent reading a book with your children or chatting with the family at the dinner table. Dr Aitken suggests we turn off or uninstall some of the apps that continue to send notifications. Social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp keep users checking constantly.

The chapter I found most disturbing talked about Internet addiction. In America 12.5% of adults admitted to having at least one problem due to overuse of the internet. These related to checking e mails constantly, gaming and online shopping. In some Asian countries 13% of teenagers have been diagnosed as Internet addicts creating problems at home and at school. Unfortunately, there were no figures relating to Australian habits. The Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Guidelines do, however, recommend that children/teenagers should not spend longer than 2 hours on electronic media each day. So what can we do about internet addictive behavior? Expert Kimberly Young recommends three strategies:

1. Check your checking. Stop checking your device constantly.
2. Set time limits. Control your online behavior- and remember kids will model their behavior of adults.
3. Disconnect to reconnect. Turn off devices at mealtimes- and reconnect with the family.

The Cyber Effect

Dr Mary Aitken

John Murray Publishers (2016)

Stand Up Desks

You may have heard the phase “sitting is the new smoking”. Scientists have identified several health risks associated with prolonged sitting in school classrooms. Active classrooms are also beneficial to children’s learning.

The College has therefore decided to trial some of the new Sit Less Desks. Four desks will be trialed at the Junior Campus and 4 desks in MY 4 at the Senior Campus. These desks have a dual sided work surface. Hardened non-slip melamine on one side that also flip over to use an erasable whiteboard on the other. The desks easily move up and down to accommodate any standing height. We look forward to speaking to our staff and students at the end of the trial.

Miss Kristen Waldron