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	<title>online friends | Elaine Uskoski -  Video Gaming Addiction Speaker, Author and Coach</title>
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	<description>Video Gaming Addiction Coaching for Parents</description>
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	<title>online friends | Elaine Uskoski -  Video Gaming Addiction Speaker, Author and Coach</title>
	<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca</link>
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	<item>
		<title>A Powerful Conversation on Video Gaming Addiction, Recovery, and Hope</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/a-powerful-conversation-on-video-gaming-addiction-recovery-and-hope/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-powerful-conversation-on-video-gaming-addiction-recovery-and-hope</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:55:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Detox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harm Reduction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Skills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2881</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[For any parent who has ever wondered whether their young adult’s gaming has crossed a line—and what can be done to help—this podcast episode offers an important and eye-opening perspective. What often begins as a harmless and even socially accepted activity can, over time, evolve into something far more consuming. For many families, gaming gradually [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Filling the Void: Unraveling the Emotional Hunger of Addictive Video Gaming</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/filling-the-void-unraveling-the-emotional-hunger-of-addictive-video-gaming/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=filling-the-void-unraveling-the-emotional-hunger-of-addictive-video-gaming</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:14:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2802</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Video gaming has evolved from a mere pastime to a captivating and immersive experience. Globally, there are presently 3.32 billion gamers. That’s just over forty percent of the world population immersed in the virtual world through video games. For many, games offer a fun escape and a world where they can become the heroes of [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>How Isolation Can Breed Gaming Addiction; The Rat Park Experiment</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/how-isolation-can-breed-gaming-addiction-the-rat-park-experiment-t/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-isolation-can-breed-gaming-addiction-the-rat-park-experiment-t</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:26:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2793</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[This blog was inspired by a colleague of mine, Author, Family Life Educator, and LAUNCH Podcast host, Shari Jonas.  If your child spends nearly every waking hour in their room, headset on, gaming with online friends, you may feel shut out — both physically and emotionally. They might insist they’re “fine” and that their online [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Tell if Your Child is Addicted to Video Games</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/how-to-tell-if-your-child-is-addicted-to-video-games/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-tell-if-your-child-is-addicted-to-video-games</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2025 17:43:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADHD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Detox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harm Reduction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2752</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[&#8220;When my kid first started playing video games, it was a great way for them to unwind. It also gave me peace of mind, knowing they were staying out of trouble. At the time, it didn’t seem like a problem, they still had other activities in their life, and they only played a few hours [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Trauma and Addiction; What I Learned at the University of Oxford</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/trauma-and-addiction-what-i-learned-at-the-university-of-oxford/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=trauma-and-addiction-what-i-learned-at-the-university-of-oxford</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Sep 2024 21:19:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Denial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2556</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Earlier this month, I travelled to the United Kingdom to study The Master’s Event on Mental Health and Trauma at the University of Oxford. These lectures brought together many renowned mental health experts from around the world to share their knowledge with therapists and coaches hungry for the latest information to help their clients. I [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Understanding the Emotional Needs of Your Addicted Gamer</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/understanding-the-emotional-needs-of-your-addicted-gamer/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=understanding-the-emotional-needs-of-your-addicted-gamer</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:25:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autonomy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[belonging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[control]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional needs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[validation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2481</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If you’re a parent of an addicted gamer, you understand the emotional upheaval this can create in your home. Children often communicate their emotions through their behaviours. These emotions range from irritability or sadness, isolation or clinginess, to full on meltdowns or despondency. Sometimes the emotions are heightened while they play video games, and sometimes [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Thrill of Gaming: Exploring Why Video Gaming and Esports Competition Captivate Children and Young Adults</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/the-thrill-of-gaming-exploring-why-video-gaming-and-esports-competition-captivate-children-and-young-adults/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-thrill-of-gaming-exploring-why-video-gaming-and-esports-competition-captivate-children-and-young-adults</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[competition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gamer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Professional Gamer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2460</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Parents I speak with are often bewildered as to why their child wants to play so many hours of video games. And what’s even more astounding for them to understand is why their gamer watches other gamers play online in tournaments. Many gamers also love to attend tournament esports events in large stadiums where they [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Importance of Parenting with Structure, Rules, and Boundaries</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/the-importance-of-parenting-with-structure-rules-and-boundaries/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-importance-of-parenting-with-structure-rules-and-boundaries</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 May 2023 14:44:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children's Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[discipline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gamer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2304</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[When I am speaking with families who are struggling with a video gaming or screen addicted child, at times, I find a parent who has difficulty implementing rules and following through with consequences. These parents tell me that they don’t want to damage what appears to be a good relationship with their child. They are [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Why an Unruly, Belligerent, and Addicted Child Needs Empathy and Kindness the Most</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/why-an-unruly-belligerent-and-addicted-child-need-empathy-and-kindness-the-most/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=why-an-unruly-belligerent-and-addicted-child-need-empathy-and-kindness-the-most</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:28:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addicted brain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children's Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Childrens Mental Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compassion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Detox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Devices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[empathy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gamer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harm Reduction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kindness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Screen Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Supports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video gaming addiction]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2225</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[When a child is addicted to video games, they can become a different person &#8211; one a parent no longer recognizes. They may stop grooming, eat poorly, often while alone in their room, spend their nights in front of their screen, and sleep all day.  They may become belligerent when asked about their gaming habits, [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>The Thin Line Between Passion and Addiction in Video Gaming</title>
		<link>https://eyespyhealth.ca/the-thin-line-between-passion-and-addiction-in-video-gaming/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-thin-line-between-passion-and-addiction-in-video-gaming</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elaine]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2022 20:49:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gamer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loneliness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online friends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video Gaming]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyespyhealth.ca/?p=2207</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I started playing video games at age seven. Since then, I have accumulated over 20,000 hours of gaming for over 20 years. My Gaming journey has started due to my love of Pokémon. The Pokémon games fulfilled the needs of my competitive nature. At age ten, I fell in love with horses and medieval knights. [&#8230;]]]></description>
		
		
		
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