The Washington State University Common Reading Program hosts “Am I Addicted to My Phone? Healthy Ways to Use Technology Without Getting Hooked,” a lecture by psychologist Loren Brown from WSU Counseling and Psychological Services at 5:00 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 23, in CUE 203. The event is free and open to the public.
Interactive technology is a useful and integrated part of modern life, yet a growing number of people say it’s causing them problems, said Brown. As a society we are spending more and more time looking at screen, whether it’s social media or video games, or even measuring steps, heart rate, and sleep using a fitness tracker, said Brown.
In his presentation Brown, biofeedback coordinator and licensed psychologist at WSU Counseling and Psychological Services, will describe why people get hooked on techology. He will also cover the warning signs of addiction and healthy ways of using technology for connection, self-expression and recreation.
The WSU-wide common reading program is exploring the theme of “frontiers of technology, health, and society.” This year’s book, Ready Player One, highlights applications of technology in a variety of fields but also encourages exploration into ethical dilemmas and changing senses of identity that arise in an increasingly digital world.
The Common Reading Program began in Pullman in 2006-2007 to help students, their teachers, and the community better engage in academically centered critical thinking, communication, research and learning around a body of shared information presented in a single, specially selected book.
The Common Reading program is currently accepting book nominations for the 2018-19 academic year. For more information about the Common Reading program, nominating a book, this year’s book, and upcoming events visit https://commonreading.wsu.edu/.
