Digital Addiction

Avoiding Pitfalls of the Online World

by Hilarie Cash, Ph.D.

The Online Social Experience and Limbic Resonance

Many people turn to the internet to make friends, develop romance, or maintain other social connections. Yet, the more time we spend online, the more depressed we become. Why is this? The answer has to do with something called limbic resonance, which, it appears, can not be found in adequate supply through online interactions. Read More

Calling All Parents: Think Before You Buy That Next Video Game Gift

"Jingle Bells" the ring tone will be heard all across the malls of America this holiday season. According to the wireless association CTIA there are now more wireless devices than people in the United States. And while most children will have some type of digital toy, game or device on their wish list, here's hoping that parents will consider adding some non-electronic gifts to those lists. Read More

Why Is It So Hard to Believe in a Behavioral Addiction?

There are a lot of people who scoff at the idea of behavioral addictions. But neuroscience is revealing that what happens in the brain of a video game addict, a porn addict, an alcoholic, a gambler, and a pot-head is similar. Read More

Tiger Moms and Digital Media

The new book by Amy Chua, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, is creating quite a stir. It has gotten many people talking and thinking about how we parent. So, in this heightened atmosphere of parenting concerns, I've chosen the subject of parenting for my first blog. Why? Read More

Hilarie Cash, Ph.D., is co-founder and executive director of reSTART: Internet Addiction Recovery Program, the first in-patient treatment facility devoted exclusively to video game and internet addicts in the US.

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