Gaming, smartphone addiction starts in primary school as daily screen times soar
The study of students in years four to eight found that average daily screen time for junior high schoolers was nine hours a day. One in 25 of the students surveyed showed signs of clinical-level Internet Gaming Disorder, which a separate study has found was the most likely to lead to social and emotional problems.
Brad Marshall, the researcher from Macquarie University and online safety company Ctrl+Shft who led the screen use study, said usage was higher than he expected. 'Gaming addiction and smartphone addiction start in primary school. This is not a year 10 to 12 phenomena,' Marshall said.
Most previous measures of Australian students' screen time were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2017 study put daily usage at just over four hours for primary students and six hours for high school students.
But the social shutdown led to increased screen use, and this study affirms fears that usage has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The research, led by academics at Macquarie University and published in the journal Current Psychology, was undertaken in 2023 and involved almost 2000 students from six independent schools. It asked them about their total screen time, and did not differentiate between recreational and educational use.
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It identified that almost 10 per cent of the students surveyed – particularly girls – were at moderate to high risk of smartphone addiction, while one in 25, or 4 per cent – particularly boys – showed signs of clinical or subclinical gaming disorder.
Those with high screen use experienced up to three times more negative developmental effects than their peers, findings which Marshall said should prompt a national conversation.
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Fever pitch: increase in hospitalisations as influenza cases spike
Influenza cases have surged by 58 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. Virologist Nathan Bartlett said "there's been a clear upward rise in the number of respiratory illnesses in the community". "We're definitely seeing an uptick in fever and cough," he said. Professor Bartlett, of Hunter Medical Research Institute, said flu season began with a surge of cases in May. "It's now intensifying," he said. "It's partially linked to global flu trends. The H3N2 strain is the troublemaker. It mutates and reduces the effectiveness of immunity." Professor Bartlett, of the University of Newcastle, said "the US had a record flu season in their winter just gone". "A bad flu season in the Northern Hemisphere does increase the risk for a bad flu season in Australia," he said. "There are a lot of factors that can determine that link, but it certainly is a predictor." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "influenza activity has increased and is now at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time, especially for people who are at risk of severe disease," the report said. The report listed 487 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu and 294 COVID cases in Hunter New England for the week ending June 28. In the previous week, these numbers were 309 and 241, respectively. "COVID-19 is stable at a moderate level of activity. RSV activity is still high but may have peaked." The report said emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions for COVID-19 were stable. "The number of presentations for influenza-like illness has been increasing since May, and the number of admissions is now also increasing." ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, but decreasing in those aged under one. For children under five with bronchiolitis, 76 per cent of presentations and 83 per cent of admissions were for infants aged under one. Professor Bartlett said the latest variants of COVID "did not seem to be any more pathogenic or nasty than previous versions". "COVID can cause a nasty cold, but be more severe for certain people. It continues to evolve and circulate at pretty high levels." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829). A US study published in the Lancet in May said, "a growing body of evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for months or years following COVID-19 in a subset of individuals". A "reservoir" of the virus was "potentially driving long-COVID symptoms". An Australian study, published in the British Medical Journal, said "COVID-19 vaccines might have protective and therapeutic effects on long COVID". "More robust comparative observational studies and trials are needed, however, to clearly determine the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing and treating long COVID." Influenza cases have surged by 58 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. Virologist Nathan Bartlett said "there's been a clear upward rise in the number of respiratory illnesses in the community". "We're definitely seeing an uptick in fever and cough," he said. Professor Bartlett, of Hunter Medical Research Institute, said flu season began with a surge of cases in May. "It's now intensifying," he said. "It's partially linked to global flu trends. The H3N2 strain is the troublemaker. It mutates and reduces the effectiveness of immunity." Professor Bartlett, of the University of Newcastle, said "the US had a record flu season in their winter just gone". "A bad flu season in the Northern Hemisphere does increase the risk for a bad flu season in Australia," he said. "There are a lot of factors that can determine that link, but it certainly is a predictor." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "influenza activity has increased and is now at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time, especially for people who are at risk of severe disease," the report said. The report listed 487 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu and 294 COVID cases in Hunter New England for the week ending June 28. In the previous week, these numbers were 309 and 241, respectively. "COVID-19 is stable at a moderate level of activity. RSV activity is still high but may have peaked." The report said emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions for COVID-19 were stable. "The number of presentations for influenza-like illness has been increasing since May, and the number of admissions is now also increasing." ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, but decreasing in those aged under one. For children under five with bronchiolitis, 76 per cent of presentations and 83 per cent of admissions were for infants aged under one. Professor Bartlett said the latest variants of COVID "did not seem to be any more pathogenic or nasty than previous versions". "COVID can cause a nasty cold, but be more severe for certain people. It continues to evolve and circulate at pretty high levels." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829). A US study published in the Lancet in May said, "a growing body of evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for months or years following COVID-19 in a subset of individuals". A "reservoir" of the virus was "potentially driving long-COVID symptoms". An Australian study, published in the British Medical Journal, said "COVID-19 vaccines might have protective and therapeutic effects on long COVID". "More robust comparative observational studies and trials are needed, however, to clearly determine the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing and treating long COVID." Influenza cases have surged by 58 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. Virologist Nathan Bartlett said "there's been a clear upward rise in the number of respiratory illnesses in the community". "We're definitely seeing an uptick in fever and cough," he said. Professor Bartlett, of Hunter Medical Research Institute, said flu season began with a surge of cases in May. "It's now intensifying," he said. "It's partially linked to global flu trends. The H3N2 strain is the troublemaker. It mutates and reduces the effectiveness of immunity." Professor Bartlett, of the University of Newcastle, said "the US had a record flu season in their winter just gone". "A bad flu season in the Northern Hemisphere does increase the risk for a bad flu season in Australia," he said. "There are a lot of factors that can determine that link, but it certainly is a predictor." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "influenza activity has increased and is now at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time, especially for people who are at risk of severe disease," the report said. The report listed 487 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu and 294 COVID cases in Hunter New England for the week ending June 28. In the previous week, these numbers were 309 and 241, respectively. "COVID-19 is stable at a moderate level of activity. RSV activity is still high but may have peaked." The report said emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions for COVID-19 were stable. "The number of presentations for influenza-like illness has been increasing since May, and the number of admissions is now also increasing." ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, but decreasing in those aged under one. For children under five with bronchiolitis, 76 per cent of presentations and 83 per cent of admissions were for infants aged under one. Professor Bartlett said the latest variants of COVID "did not seem to be any more pathogenic or nasty than previous versions". "COVID can cause a nasty cold, but be more severe for certain people. It continues to evolve and circulate at pretty high levels." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829). A US study published in the Lancet in May said, "a growing body of evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for months or years following COVID-19 in a subset of individuals". A "reservoir" of the virus was "potentially driving long-COVID symptoms". An Australian study, published in the British Medical Journal, said "COVID-19 vaccines might have protective and therapeutic effects on long COVID". "More robust comparative observational studies and trials are needed, however, to clearly determine the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing and treating long COVID." Influenza cases have surged by 58 per cent in a week in Hunter New England, health data shows. Virologist Nathan Bartlett said "there's been a clear upward rise in the number of respiratory illnesses in the community". "We're definitely seeing an uptick in fever and cough," he said. Professor Bartlett, of Hunter Medical Research Institute, said flu season began with a surge of cases in May. "It's now intensifying," he said. "It's partially linked to global flu trends. The H3N2 strain is the troublemaker. It mutates and reduces the effectiveness of immunity." Professor Bartlett, of the University of Newcastle, said "the US had a record flu season in their winter just gone". "A bad flu season in the Northern Hemisphere does increase the risk for a bad flu season in Australia," he said. "There are a lot of factors that can determine that link, but it certainly is a predictor." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, released on Thursday, said "influenza activity has increased and is now at a high level". "Influenza vaccinations are important at this time, especially for people who are at risk of severe disease," the report said. The report listed 487 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu and 294 COVID cases in Hunter New England for the week ending June 28. In the previous week, these numbers were 309 and 241, respectively. "COVID-19 is stable at a moderate level of activity. RSV activity is still high but may have peaked." The report said emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions for COVID-19 were stable. "The number of presentations for influenza-like illness has been increasing since May, and the number of admissions is now also increasing." ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, but decreasing in those aged under one. For children under five with bronchiolitis, 76 per cent of presentations and 83 per cent of admissions were for infants aged under one. Professor Bartlett said the latest variants of COVID "did not seem to be any more pathogenic or nasty than previous versions". "COVID can cause a nasty cold, but be more severe for certain people. It continues to evolve and circulate at pretty high levels." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the Hunter's health network recorded 882 COVID deaths from 2019 to 2023. The data, which included New England and Central Coast, was similar to flu and pneumonia (829). A US study published in the Lancet in May said, "a growing body of evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for months or years following COVID-19 in a subset of individuals". A "reservoir" of the virus was "potentially driving long-COVID symptoms". An Australian study, published in the British Medical Journal, said "COVID-19 vaccines might have protective and therapeutic effects on long COVID". "More robust comparative observational studies and trials are needed, however, to clearly determine the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing and treating long COVID."
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
ADHD meds are in short supply. Here's why, and what can you do about it
Some of the most common medications for ADHD are set to be in short supply until the end of the year, which means plenty of people across Australia may find their pharmacist can't fill their prescriptions. So, what are your options? We asked the experts why this was happening and what you can do if you're unable to fill out your regular prescription. In short, it's complicated. As Professor Dave Coghill explained, it came down to both a supply issue for the raw ingredient from the United States used in methylphenidate — and found in popular brands such as Ritalin and Concerta — as well as an increase in diagnoses. "It's actually a very complex supply chain problem. There's no malice and I think the companies that make the medication are quite embarrassed that they aren't able to fulfil their demands," he said. "It's a global problem, but not one that it's very easy — even for the companies based in Australia selling the medicines — to do anything about because they're not in control of production." It's difficult to put an exact number on the amount of people affected in Australia, because not everyone with a diagnosis is medicated. But it's estimated more than one million Australians live with ADHD. Professor Coghill, president of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association, said the impact was significant. "Of the total number [of people medicated], we're talking under 1 per cent, but 1 per cent of all Australians is still a lot of Australians," he said. Firstly, don't panic. Because the issue is specifically about the supply of methylphenidate, there are other medications that should be available. If your regular medication isn't in stock, there are others that are equally as good, Professor Coghill said. He suggested going to your prescriber — such as your psychiatrist or your child's developmental paediatrician — and explaining the issue. They should be able to help. "Talk to your prescriber, talk to them quickly. Don't leave it lingering. People with ADHD are very good at procrastinating," he said. Professor Coghill said "almost always" your prescriber will be able to work out a good solution for you. John Kramer, the chair of the Royal Australian College of GP's ADHD, ASD and neurodiversity specialist group, is a certified prescriber and GP. He agreed. "All prescribers will now be aware of the problem — you'd have to be living under a rock not to know about it," he said. "I think if you've got an existing patient that you're prescribing for, then you've got a professional responsibility to not delay, too long, in them accessing their care. "And that means you have to slow down seeing new patients." Again, don't stress. Dr Kramer said your regular GP can also assist. "GPs who see patients with ADHD, who aren't actually prescribing for them, can still be helpful," he explained. "If a patient or a child is completely out of their medication and can't get seen, they can still approach their GP because advocacy is still one of the most important roles that GPs have." Your GP can also ring the regulatory authority in your jurisdiction and make an individual application for medication. "If you've got a patient that's completely out [of medication] and they can't get seen, they can put the case that this person is completely out of their usual stuff. That they can't be seen for a couple of months," Dr Kramer said. "I think that the regulator would have to show some compassion and flexibility." Generally, this isn't a good idea. While Professor Coghill acknowledged any adult with ADHD was able to make their own decisions, and the medication doesn't come with withdrawal symptoms, it's best to continue being treated during the shortage. "ADHD isn't just a school thing or a work thing. Family tensions can be greater when people aren't treated and less when they are treated," he said.
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Invariably fatal' rare bat virus claims another victim
A man has died after contracting an extremely rare, rabies-like bat virus, the fourth death since its discovery almost 30 years ago. NSW Health confirmed the man in his 50s died on Thursday after being bitten by a bat several months ago. The northern NSW man was the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in the state and only the fourth in the nation. Lyssavirus transmits from infected bats to humans when virus in their saliva enters the body through a bite or scratch. Emerging bat viruses expert Alison Peel told AAP the virus, like rabies, travels through the nervous system to the brain. "That happens very slowly so it's quite usual for that to take a number of months between the exposure and the clinical signs developing," the University of Sydney Horizon Fellow said. More than 100 people received medical treatment after potential or suspected exposures each year, Dr Peel said, but it was unknown how many actually contracted the virus. "But certainly, once clinical signs develop ... it's generally, invariably fatal." Australia is home to more than 80 species of bats, and without widespread surveillance of them all, it's safest to assume any bat could be carrying the virus. It was only transmitted through direct contact, so being near bats, or even pooed on by one, was not cause for too much alarm, Dr Peel said. "It's an important consideration to try and avoid direct contact and not touching bats, but we shouldn't panic and take it out on the bats themselves." The virus is also potentially deadly to bats. "It does seem to be circulating within their populations at very, very low levels," Dr Peel said. "But there are quite a high proportion of bats out there that have antibody evidence that suggests that they have been exposed to the virus in the past and they've not become sick. "There is something unique about the way bats are able to handle the infection." It is extremely rare for the virus to transmit to humans because it does not spread through the air. A NSW Health spokesman said anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment. "Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats." People bitten or scratched by a bat require rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. In 2024, 118 people were treated after being bitten or scratched by a bat around the nation. The virus was first discovered in a black flying fox in Queensland in 1996. A man has died after contracting an extremely rare, rabies-like bat virus, the fourth death since its discovery almost 30 years ago. NSW Health confirmed the man in his 50s died on Thursday after being bitten by a bat several months ago. The northern NSW man was the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in the state and only the fourth in the nation. Lyssavirus transmits from infected bats to humans when virus in their saliva enters the body through a bite or scratch. Emerging bat viruses expert Alison Peel told AAP the virus, like rabies, travels through the nervous system to the brain. "That happens very slowly so it's quite usual for that to take a number of months between the exposure and the clinical signs developing," the University of Sydney Horizon Fellow said. More than 100 people received medical treatment after potential or suspected exposures each year, Dr Peel said, but it was unknown how many actually contracted the virus. "But certainly, once clinical signs develop ... it's generally, invariably fatal." Australia is home to more than 80 species of bats, and without widespread surveillance of them all, it's safest to assume any bat could be carrying the virus. It was only transmitted through direct contact, so being near bats, or even pooed on by one, was not cause for too much alarm, Dr Peel said. "It's an important consideration to try and avoid direct contact and not touching bats, but we shouldn't panic and take it out on the bats themselves." The virus is also potentially deadly to bats. "It does seem to be circulating within their populations at very, very low levels," Dr Peel said. "But there are quite a high proportion of bats out there that have antibody evidence that suggests that they have been exposed to the virus in the past and they've not become sick. "There is something unique about the way bats are able to handle the infection." It is extremely rare for the virus to transmit to humans because it does not spread through the air. A NSW Health spokesman said anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment. "Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats." People bitten or scratched by a bat require rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. In 2024, 118 people were treated after being bitten or scratched by a bat around the nation. The virus was first discovered in a black flying fox in Queensland in 1996. A man has died after contracting an extremely rare, rabies-like bat virus, the fourth death since its discovery almost 30 years ago. NSW Health confirmed the man in his 50s died on Thursday after being bitten by a bat several months ago. The northern NSW man was the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in the state and only the fourth in the nation. Lyssavirus transmits from infected bats to humans when virus in their saliva enters the body through a bite or scratch. Emerging bat viruses expert Alison Peel told AAP the virus, like rabies, travels through the nervous system to the brain. "That happens very slowly so it's quite usual for that to take a number of months between the exposure and the clinical signs developing," the University of Sydney Horizon Fellow said. More than 100 people received medical treatment after potential or suspected exposures each year, Dr Peel said, but it was unknown how many actually contracted the virus. "But certainly, once clinical signs develop ... it's generally, invariably fatal." Australia is home to more than 80 species of bats, and without widespread surveillance of them all, it's safest to assume any bat could be carrying the virus. It was only transmitted through direct contact, so being near bats, or even pooed on by one, was not cause for too much alarm, Dr Peel said. "It's an important consideration to try and avoid direct contact and not touching bats, but we shouldn't panic and take it out on the bats themselves." The virus is also potentially deadly to bats. "It does seem to be circulating within their populations at very, very low levels," Dr Peel said. "But there are quite a high proportion of bats out there that have antibody evidence that suggests that they have been exposed to the virus in the past and they've not become sick. "There is something unique about the way bats are able to handle the infection." It is extremely rare for the virus to transmit to humans because it does not spread through the air. A NSW Health spokesman said anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment. "Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats." People bitten or scratched by a bat require rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. In 2024, 118 people were treated after being bitten or scratched by a bat around the nation. The virus was first discovered in a black flying fox in Queensland in 1996. A man has died after contracting an extremely rare, rabies-like bat virus, the fourth death since its discovery almost 30 years ago. NSW Health confirmed the man in his 50s died on Thursday after being bitten by a bat several months ago. The northern NSW man was the first recorded case of Australian bat lyssavirus in the state and only the fourth in the nation. Lyssavirus transmits from infected bats to humans when virus in their saliva enters the body through a bite or scratch. Emerging bat viruses expert Alison Peel told AAP the virus, like rabies, travels through the nervous system to the brain. "That happens very slowly so it's quite usual for that to take a number of months between the exposure and the clinical signs developing," the University of Sydney Horizon Fellow said. More than 100 people received medical treatment after potential or suspected exposures each year, Dr Peel said, but it was unknown how many actually contracted the virus. "But certainly, once clinical signs develop ... it's generally, invariably fatal." Australia is home to more than 80 species of bats, and without widespread surveillance of them all, it's safest to assume any bat could be carrying the virus. It was only transmitted through direct contact, so being near bats, or even pooed on by one, was not cause for too much alarm, Dr Peel said. "It's an important consideration to try and avoid direct contact and not touching bats, but we shouldn't panic and take it out on the bats themselves." The virus is also potentially deadly to bats. "It does seem to be circulating within their populations at very, very low levels," Dr Peel said. "But there are quite a high proportion of bats out there that have antibody evidence that suggests that they have been exposed to the virus in the past and they've not become sick. "There is something unique about the way bats are able to handle the infection." It is extremely rare for the virus to transmit to humans because it does not spread through the air. A NSW Health spokesman said anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek urgent medical assessment. "Only wildlife handlers who are trained, protected, and vaccinated should interact with bats." People bitten or scratched by a bat require rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. In 2024, 118 people were treated after being bitten or scratched by a bat around the nation. The virus was first discovered in a black flying fox in Queensland in 1996.
