By: Kelly Graham, MSW, RSW

​Often, you’ll hear how bad video games are for society. Many people are quick to blame them for increased violence and other social problems.
 
Not many people look at the positive side of video games except those that enjoy them the most, but I think it’s important that we take a moment to acknowledge their worth.

By: Kelly Graham, MSW, RSW

Right now, a lot of people are feeling stressed, anxious, and afraid. We don’t know how badly COVID-19 will affect Canada or Thunder Bay. We are also unsure of when schools and workplaces will open, and when we can spend time with family and friends. ​

By: Kristen Sohlman, MACP, RP

Looking for some fun things to do online this long weekend? Here are a few ideas to try out!

Technology seems to be dominating our lives today. Whether it is your cell phone, computer, PlayStation, TV, or anything else, we are always surrounded by it.
 
Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Netflix and checking Facebook; I’m not a technology hater. However, I have noticed that a common theme among people today, myself included, is that technology is beginning to interfere with our relationships.
 
If you were to add up the time you spend using technology throughout the day, you would probably be surprised by just how often you’re on it. Many people can’t even make it through a meal without checking their phone. When we see everyone else checking their phone, we then feel compelled to check ours. Instead of talking with each other face-to-face, we bury ourselves in our technology.
 
When we are continually using technology in the presence of others, we are ignoring them. While you may be listening, to them it looks like you are more interested in what is on your phone than what they have to say. Remember how you have felt when you’ve been ignored. Were you hurt, angry, sad, frustrated? All of those are valid responses. While this may be annoying when you’re trying to have a normal conversation with someone, imagine if they are trying to talk to you about something important. Then it may feel like you are ignoring their feelings, or worse, that Facebook is more important than them. When this happens frequently, the person may just stop trying to engage with you. 

​This ultimately causes a rift in relationships - when we feel like we can’t express our thoughts and feelings because the other person is too busy being lost in technology. We end up burying these feelings which eventually can turn into resentment and anger. If these feelings are not dealt with, it can ruin a relationship.

​How can we fix this?
​

Yeah, I’m absolutely one of those jerks on Facebook who is always posting about my wonderful life. You secretly hate me. Admit it. 
 
I post about going running, playing with my dogs, having fun with my kid who always seems to have a great sense of humour, oh, and gratuitous memes. 
 
What you don’t know is that these posts are deliberate. And no, they are not meant to make you feel bad about yourself. In fact, I hope that some of the things I share actually help you along your way, because it is important to me that the newsfeed you see every day is filled with a few more things that make you laugh, make you reflect, or make you feel like you know me well enough to reach out and connect without fearing that I would reject you.

​Because I won’t. ​​​