Support and experts

PAUSE can count on a wide support network and a solid committee of experts to ensure the validity and reach of the activities developed in this innovative campaign.

SUPPORT NETWORK

The PAUSE campaign is developed in collaboration with a support network in order to increase the campaign’s reach and create links with other initiatives that promote a balanced use of the Internet and screens.

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS

The PAUSE campaign by Capsana is developed with the support of a committee of experts, which includes specialists in the prevention of cyberaddiction and the promotion of healthy habits in young people.

  • Magali Dufour, Ph. D. (psychology), Associate professor, Department of Psychology, UQAM, President of the PAUSE committee of experts.
  • Jean-François Biron, Planning, programming and research officer in the prevention of gambling and addiction at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Direction régionale de santé publique.
  • Sylvie R. Gagnon, clinician-researcher in addiction, CISSS de Lanaudière, Addiction Rehabilitation Centre.
  • Anne-Élizabeth Lapointe, Executive director, at La Maison Jean Lapointe.
  • Myriam Laventure, Ph. D. Education, Full professor, Department of Psychoeducation at Université de Sherbrooke.

Video games and algorithms are cleverly designed to target us, attract our attention through notifications, and encourage us to take an action that is randomly rewarded, pushing us to constantly return to the application. This strategy works on everyone, but young people are more vulnerable because parts of their brains are still developing, making them more impulsive and less able to control themselves.

The problem is not the Internet itself, but rather the excessive use of online activities at the expense of other interests and life offline, which can trigger the cycle of addiction. In Quebec, cyberaddiction affects 1.3% of 15 to 18-year-olds, but 18% show at-risk behaviour. Therefore, 1 out of 5 young people could have problematic Internet use (PIU).

–  Magali Dufour, President of the PAUSE committee of experts