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Research on excessive digital media usage finds pediatric vision suffers negative effects

Pediatric eye health is important in all aspects of a childs life and development. Not simply represented by clarity, vision is a functional system thatwhen operating at its best is both flexible and efficient.

Vision is a primary sensory input that influences a childs learning, development, demeanor, and stamina, and is biologically unsuited for the excessive near demands of the digital culture children find themselves in.

Todays families face the challenges of managing an onslaught of digital media in their lives. Digital media includes a child interfacing with television content, cellular phones, tablets, computers, etc.

Digital media devices and the technology they deliver have many benefits, including the expansion of communication tools, easy and immediate access to information, and the ability to accommodate both our childrens strengths and challenges.

As with all things, the benefits of technology are counteracted by risks.

The current exposure to digital media has a profound effect on children. We have never had a generation of infants and toddlers with such increased near visual demands and sensory stimulation brought on by the cell phones and tablets that they interact with daily.

The excess near demands experienced by children of all ages creates a visual system that is fatigued and unable to operate efficiently.

Common Sense Media Research reported in 2021 that use of entertainment media alone approached 9 hours daily in teenagers and 6 hours daily in tweens.1 For both tweens and teens, screen media use increased 17% since the start of the pandemic.1 These statistics are staggering and often lead to parents feeling helpless and out of control when addressing screen time habits and their children.

Excessive digital media use has also proven to risk addiction in children. Addiction to device use, addiction to social media, and addiction to gaming are very real and serious consequences that are noted in the pediatric population.

In 2018 the World Health Organization added a gaming disorder to the International Classification of Diseases.2 MRI studies reveal that gaming and smart phone addictions change the physical structure of the brain in a manner that parallels drug and gambling additions.

Related: (VIDEO) The negative effects of digital media on pediatric development

As optometrists, we know that the power of the accommodative (focusing) system is age dependent. Excess use of this system without the proper visual hygiene wears down the strength and stamina of accommodation.

Todays optometric practices diagnose many patients with accommodative insufficiency due to a world driven by excessive digital demands. These excessive near demands reveal significantly reduced accommodative clinical findings, including visual acuity that is reduced and variable and the detection of low amounts of against the rule astigmatism.

Recognizing these clinical findingsin addition to the asthenopia, headaches, and fatigue that accompany accommodative issuesare critical to properly treat our patients.

In addition to the accommodative system, we see an inherent stress put on the binocular vision system. Binocular vision development begins in the brain, and there are valid neurologic concerns that screen-based activity stimulates visual processing more heavily than even the sensory processing systemsthus interrupting the development of binocular vision.

In our practices, we see binocular vision dysfunction in the form of convergence excess and convergence insufficiency that are influenced by the excessive screen time of todays youth.

A close viewing distance when looking at digital devices also influences the onslaught of visual symptoms.

Clinical studies reveal that the close viewing distance often accompanying the use of handheld digital devices becomes even closer with prolonged use.3 A primary chief complaint of parents bringing young children in for an eye exam is the observation of how close the child views a cell phone or tablet.

The closer the viewing distanceaccompanied with excess usagethe more likely an increase in diagnoses of accommodative and binocular vision issues, and the visual symptoms that accompany them.

There are several treatment options available for accommodative and binocular vision issues. Reading glasses and bifocals are prescribed to support the visual systems and aim to decrease the patients visual symptoms. Vision therapy is another treatment option for accommodative and binocular vision issues, aimed at improving the efficiency of all aspects of visual function.

Its been known that the progression of myopia is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but digital media also influences the progression of myopia development.

Todays emphasis on the treatment of myopiawith a goal of minimizing progressionforces an optometrist to examine the screen time habits of our patients. We know that there are modifiable behaviors that influence the development of myopia.

Scientific research demonstrates that increased outdoor exposure positively influences the development of myopia.4 The exact cause of this is not fully understood, but outdoor time likely contributes to a limit of near demands and will have a more positive impact on the visual system.

A January 2021 JAMA article shares, Home confinement due to coronavirus disease [in] 2019 appeared to be associated with a substantial myopic shift in children.5 This observation demonstrates the effect of excessive screen time on the development of myopia.

Beyond influencing a childs visual system, digital media also has a significant impact on the overall development of our pediatric population.

We know that early exposure to digital media negatively affects a childs intellectual, social, and emotional development. Elevated digital media use more specifically results in decreased cognition and language skills. Further, the way children use digital media has a strong correlation with their mental health.

An area to examine is the influence of technology on the quality of sleep among the youth.

In the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, it was noted that Adolescents' bad sleep quality was consistently associated with the mobile phone use and number of devices in the bedroom, while in preadolescents, with Internet use and turning-off time.6

Children and teens with devices in the bedroom experience decreased sleep duration, increased daytime drowsiness, and decreased academic performance. Poor sleep habits align with additional issues in the realm of mental health.

Unhealthy online habits result in elevated incidences of anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity diagnoses. Structural changes in the brain related to cognitive control and emotional regulation are associated with a digital media addiction.7 Neurologic changes noted with digital media addictions correlate clinically with the patterns of substance behavior dependence.

The path of excessive and unhealthy digital media use may lead to mental health challenges and addiction in our adolescent population. This is a path that every family wants to avoid.

The best way to achieve balance in ones family regarding digital media use is to develop rules and boundaries. Each family can strive to create a system that works for them.

Digital media use can be classified in three categories, known as the the 3 Cs of media:

1. Consumption: taking in media in a passive manner2. Creation: active engagement and development of skills3. Communication: using media to connect to another person

A well-balanced approach to digital media limits consumption and communication to 1-2 hours daily. However, it is understood that schools rely heavily on digital devices in their educational model, and this does contribute to the stress on the visual system and impact on development.

Parents must focus on what they can control and create a home environment that supports the benefits of technology and balances screen time in a manner that has a positive effect on all aspects of their childs life.

As Catherine Steiner-Adair, EdD, author of The Big Disconnect, says: Parenting in the digital age challenges in ways the human brainAND heart can hardly process fast enough. We do not want to surrender ourselves unquestioningly to adapt to technology.

Original post:
Pediatric eye health and digital media: negative effects - Optometry Times

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During a White House event on Friday, President Biden appeared to apologize to his own staff after being instructed to stop taking questions from reporters at the meeting.

Biden met with local officials and activists on Womens Equality Day to discuss guaranteeing abortion access throughout the country in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade.

Though the most attention-grabbing moment of the entire sit down came when a confused Biden tried to take one too many questions from the press and awkwardly apologized to his staff for taking "control" of the situation.

After finishing one question, Biden pointed to another reporter, ready to field more inquires. Though as seen in video recorded at the meeting, an administration staff member interrupted Biden, trying to force an end to the questions.

President Biden apologized to his staff for taking "control" and fielding too many questions from the press on Friday. (AP Newsroom)

BIDEN MOCKED FOR AGAIN USING PREPARED LIST OF REPORTERS AFTER GENEVA SUMMIT: 'EMBARRASSING'

The offscreen staffer stated, "Thank you so much, Mr. President for " Caught off guard, Biden abruptly interjected with an apology. "Oh Im sorry, I " he trailed off, stammering.

Leaning back with his arms up as if trying to defuse the situation, Biden added, "I took control. I shouldnt do that." The staffer assured him it was "no problem," though Biden once again acknowledged, "Im not allowed to do that."

He then seemed to cede authority to his handlers, prompting them by saying, "Go ahead, you tell me." Without skipping a beat, the unknown staffer took control of the situation, stating, "I think were gonna go ahead and have the rest of the conversation [barely audible] closed to press. Thank you all so much."

Biden sat there awkwardly as journalists exited the room, still shouting questions at the president as they left.

Biden's apology to his own staff had social media users wondering if he was in control of his own presidency. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The strange scene had several conservatives on Twitter wondering whether Biden calls the shots or whether his handlers do.

"Who's really in control?" asked conservative pundit Ian Miles Cheong.

BIDEN APPEARS TO USE PREPARED LIST OF REPORTERS AGAIN FOLLOWING G20 SUMMIT IN ROME

Author and former NYPD police commissioner Bernard Kerik asked a similar question, tweeting, "WHO IS HE TAKING ORDERS FROM?"

Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., press secretary Abigail Marone declared, "The President of the United States isnt allowed to decide when he takes questions from the press."

"Who's in charge?" asked The Daily Wires Twitter account.

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President Joe Biden apologized to his staff for taking "control" during a White House meeting after he let the press ask one too many questions. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Gabriel Hays is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @gabrieljhays.

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Biden seemingly apologizes to White House staff after taking too many media questions: I shouldnt do that - Fox News

People who attended the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, fled the scene in a rush after hearing numerous gunshots. Parents grabbed their children and others helped people flee to safety. A few members of the community were so shaken they did not return until days later to claim the belongings they had left behind. These people who felt safe in a town they had grown to know and love will not see it the same.

Guns being in the hands of someone ill-equipped is the reason peoples nerves are so shaken. The danger in areas such as grocery stores, schools, and more cause them to no longer see these places as safe. While the issue of gun control may be coming to peoples attention now, it has been a topic of debate since James Madison wrote the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

The second amendment, simplified, protects a person who owns a weapon and is not in the militia. This means that a person can use their weapons to strictly defend their property. While this may have been a revolutionary amendment for those living in 1791, the amendment is not fit for twenty-first-century America.

Security and safety have changed from 1791 to 2022. From our clothes and mannerisms, all the way to women being able to vote and members of the LGBTQIA+ community being able to get married. Why should gun laws be any different? We live in a time when people feel they have to defend themselves.

Some people in todays society choose to buy guns to protect themselves for self-defense, hunting, and collecting. These guns, while small in size, are large in power. Guns, depending on the model, can be sold to any person who is 18 years old or older. In the U.S. a background check is not required when buying a gun from a private seller. This is an issue because, while 18 years old is a legal age to be considered an adult, it does not mean an 18-year-old can make adult decisions yet. According to the National Library of Medicine, human brains develop up until you are around 25 years old making it a big responsibility for people to make rational decisions while being under the age of development. Which can lead to an accident in a few short minutes. When it is easy to obtain guns, it is unchallenging for people to harm others and themselves.

Since 2006, there have been 504 mass shootings in the U.S., and 2,644 people have been killed. Two of the victims of the Highland Park shooting, Kevin and Irina McCarthy, had a two-year-old son. He is now an orphan due to this tragedy.

Others who have died due to a mass shooting were kids themselves. Nineteen elementary school children and two teachers passed away in the mass shooting of Robb Elementary on May 24. These children did not get to live long enough to explore, learn, and have fun as kids should. Instead, they spent their last minutes on earth hoping to see their parents again at such a young age.

A place of learning turned into a place of worry for many students, not just that day, but every day from here on out. No one should fear getting an education or going to a parade out of fear of a mass shooting taking place. We have our amendments in place to protect us, but the second amendment does not seem to be doing its job.

America needs all the help it can get to help revise the Second Amendment. This can happen through peaceful protests, voting during elections, and speaking up. Rather than standing by and watching more unreasonable murders, you can make a change. So step up and do your part to help reform gun control laws in America for a better future.

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Opinions: Gun control laws in the United States have to change - Metea Media

Sean Hannity highlighted the report from The Washington Times about FBI whistleblowers coming forth and alleging that Christopher Wray has lost control of the agency on "Hannity."

SEAN HANNITY: THIS IS WHAT THE FBI HAS BEEN REDUCED TO

SEAN HANNITY: A major new report from The Washington Times. It just broke. It says rank and file FBI whistleblowers coming forward many are now saying that director Christopher Wray has lost control of the agency and needs to resign, according to The Washington Times report, these whistleblower claims include allegations of bias even being forced to sign false affidavits. And according to my sources tonight, who I spoke to within the last hour that are directly involved with the whistleblowers, they are at now at least 20 confirmed whistleblowers that have come forward.

And according to their attorney, quote, I'm hearing from FBI personnel that they feel like the director has lost control of the bureau. He said they are saying, how does this guy survive? He's leaving. He's got to leave now. Also breaking tonight, a new memo from the attorney general, Merrick Garland and his office are sending a stern reminder this night to staff about policies that limit contact with members of Congress, by the way. That would mean FBI members talking to members of Congress as whistleblowers.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: FBI director nominee Christopher Wray testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee July 12, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. If confirmed, Wray will fill the position that has been left behind by former director James Comey who was fired by President Donald Trump about two months ago. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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So this letter, obviously a convenient reminder from the attorney general of the United States. So the question is, is he trying to silence these whistleblowers? Because it certainly looks like it at this hour. Now, it also looks like they're trying to pressure these whistleblowers. But what Democrats, they only like hearsay whistleblowers, not real whistleblowers. That sounds like intimidation directly from the AG's office and the AG and the FBI director need to encourage whistleblowers, not silence them, not intimidate them. This sounds like a veiled threat.

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SEAN HANNITY: The AG and FBI need to encourage whistleblowers, not silence them - Fox News

web 3 reputation

The internet is changing. The era of Web2, dominated by big tech, social media, streaming, and subscription-based service models, is quickly fading away and giving rise to Web3. Ownership and control of user data in Web2 rests firmly in the hands of centralized tech companies.

By contrast, Web3 allows individuals to seamlessly transfer their data and assets over multiple platforms privately, securely, and transparently. Most importantly, it doesnt expose an individuals information and metadata to commoditization unless the individual wishes to provide it, leaving them with complete control. While this self-sovereign approach to individual ownership and control will apply to most forms of personal information, such as financial and medical history, it will also be incredibly pertinent to our future digital reputations.

A New Type of Identification

Digital reputations can be curated but are often anchored directly to the social media platform, group, or community upon which they were created. Furthermore, an individuals social media persona and following are not directly portable from one platform to another and can easily be revoked at the discretion of the company running the platform. However, In web3, individuals will avoid such issues through direct ownership of a single digital identity that goes wherever they go, both online and in the real world.

Similarly, individuals will retain control over visibility and access to their personal information stored within their digital identity otherwise known as Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). This personal data can also be provided via homomorphic encryption or to Secure Enclave processing environments, which reap the benefits of contributing the data without disclosing any private user information. If medical information does need to be shared with a healthcare provider, for example, it can be selectively disclosed or ideally provided as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). Permission can even be time-based so that the data is removed once a predetermined expiry point is reached.

Conventional reputation could even involve an individual's credit history or credit score. Credit history can be proven by the individual in the form of verifiable credentials or receipts held by the individual proving their transaction history and eliminating the need to store it centrally with a third party.

Another more current area in which digital identity and portable reputation could prove the most useful is within Decentralized Autonomous Organizations or DAOs. DAOs allow for cooperation between members in a way that has no central authority. There are a variety of different ways in which DAOs can be structured, but they increasingly require trust.

Having a merit-based reputation is essential in this case. With blockchain-based verified digital identity, it is possible to remain anonymous, but have cryptographic proof of a specific humans verified, merit-based credentials, even without revealing any of their secure personal information. The digital identity can act as a reputation scorecard, which can be updated in real-time, proving what they have contributed or other relevant reputation data.

What Digital Identities Could Look Like, And Offer

So, what would a system such as this look like?

User metadata and consumer spending information, in the form of verifiable credentials and receipts, can be blind signed for the owner and encrypted within a digital identity and then provided across networks and platforms. Financial transaction data, account balances, digital assets, permissions and social network interactions would all be applicable. The data shared or requested could be customized to specific apps, and all data cryptographically secured so that no third party could access them without permission.

Perhaps most importantly, this digital identity could use an individuals biometric data, such as face, fingerprints, or similar. These biometric credentials can be supported with storage of the individual's biometric template in a self-sovereign manner, allowing only the user to access and control them. This would make it impossible for anyone besides the actual owner of the identity to utilize the credentials.

This could then act as a form of universal Verifiable Credentials (VCs) that would be acceptable for any platform to confirm who someone is but wouldnt give access to any information that an individual elected to restrict. As an individual demonstrates experience, earns certifications, or expands their credentials, this digital identity would instantly reflect that, evolving an online reputation.

In fact, the potential for this type of system goes way beyond just the internet. There is also a vast case for Digital IDs in more traditional offline settings. Most likely, through smartphone integration of a supporting ID wallet, individuals could access workplaces, entertainment venues, festivals, and events with verifiable credentials or NFT tokenized access. This will make security at such locations tighter, as only approved persons will be able to gain entry.

Giving Power Back to the Individual

The benefits of digital ID to user security are many and will have major implications for combating scams, fraud and money laundering. However, perhaps the biggest boon for the adoption of digital ID adoption is their function in the empowerment of individuals. Centralized web2 businesses have had full access and control over user data for too long; web3 will change this.

In addition to protection from data mining, digital IDs will also protect people from scammers, hackers and other malicious activity. Data leaks, identity theft, and malware attacks that all too often cause havoc for web2 users will be all but eradicated. Even age verification requests can be actioned without having to reveal a persons age, as the individuals verified credentials are seamlessly tied to their digital ID through zero-knowledge proofs.

SSIDs and their integration with web3 are sure to dramatically impact how we all interact both online and in our day-to-day lives. A persons reputation will become a form of currency because, unlike most of human history, it wont be able to be falsified or obscured. This marks the end of the age when big tech companies govern our information and the beginning of an era where individual control over personal data is the standard and making a verified self-sovereign digital identity as the gateway to the internet.

About the author:

Alastair Johnson is Founder and CEO of Nuggets, an award-winning decentralized, self-sovereign identity and payment platform. Its the only platform of its kind that truly brings together payments and digital identity, utilizing self-sovereign data principles.

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Digital Identities Will Change The Nature Of Online Reputation - Forbes