A Have an idea for a story? Mi news@theotherpress.ca * What is EDGE and what does it do? ¢ Royals lose royally in feud with Mariners ¢ Airport Improvement Fee up 25 percent ..and more Stress levels rise with screen-addiction » Study shows correlation between stress levels and screen addiction Virginie Ann The Concordian (CUP) hile one hand is holding a phone, the other is distractedly tapping on the computer keyboard—and perhaps the television is on in the background. This scene is one that we have now become obliviously acclimated to. Screens are everywhere. How often do we truly stop to recognize the impact they have on our mental health? A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, led by neuroscientist Najmeh Khalili-Mahani, is taking a different approach in trying to understand the relationship between screen time and stress. Most studies previously conducted look at the effects of screen time with a focus on online gaming and gambling, TV, or internet addiction. The relationship to specific types of mental disorders, such as that between depression and social networking, has become a common conversation. Khalili- Mahani’s study uses a holistic approach to analyze the interrelation between different technologies used by the same person. “It’s a post-modern study, the relation between everything, as opposed to cause and effect between one and the other,” said Khalili-Mahani, who is also an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Design and Computation Arts at Concordia. “We wanted to understand how the same person is using television and a smartphone. We are showing these interrelations between these technologies and this is allowing us to somehow zoom in on devices or on usages that are most likely to be associated with mental health or physical difficulties.” The results reveal that all the different aspects of stress, such as financial or relationship difficulties, seem to be higher in individuals also suffering from screen addiction. Moreover, the study shows that age and gender are key factors. Unsurprisingly, the effect on adults using social networks is not as significant as the younger generations or even women, said Khalili- Mahani. “Everybody uses technology for finding information or working,” said Khalili-Mahani. “About 30 percent of the population seems to be addicted to screens, in the sense that they are spending more than eight hours of their daily time on the internet. Twenty percent are also stressed and it’s those individuals who are both screen-addicted and stressed that have a significantly higher level of emotional stress.” The study looks into individuals who already struggled with anxiety—whether emotionally or physically—and their relationship with these screens for various activities, such as relaxing, entertaining, and social networking. Computers, televisions, smartphones, all screens may serve as a coping mechanism for people who already suffer or are actively developing mental health disorders; and this is what needs to be unpacked, according to Khalili-Mahani. As mental health is still a considerably social taboo topic, people do not necessarily associate the simple use of screens for consuming news, or work- related activities, with screen addiction. Khalili-Mahani pointed out the fact that there is a sense of social guilt when it comes to using technology, which arguably impedes the conversation surrounding screen addiction and stress. Yet, everyone is using technology, one way or another. According to Statistics Canada, the percentage of the population [using technology] is above go percent in most provinces, no matter what category of addiction or stress groups they fit into. Paradoxically, the goal of the research is not to find a solution to withdraw screen- addicted individuals from technology, but rather to develop information and communication technology, using screens for health care and harm prevention. This could be quite a controversial approach, as some social movements are calling for technology’s total disengagement, such as quitting Facebook. Indeed, the abrupt rise of technology confronts us with a lack of comprehension, which can lead to demonization and even disdain. The more stressed or anxious someone is feeling, the greater the opportunity for escaping reality via the internet. But finding a solution within the problem makes sense. Individuals suffering from both screen-addiction and intense levels of stress could find a familiar comfort as they are undeniably more drawn to these technologies, argued Khalili-Mahani. Using screen technologies to reach out to highly-stressed individuals and help with mental health diseases, such as depression or suicidal tendencies, are still under development. Nonetheless, it is a great step towards positively adapting rather than passively losing our inner personal battles with technology. Price hike in YVR improvement fee » Airport Improvement Fee to increase by 25 percent for expansion Tania Arora Staff Reporter he CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority, Craig Richmond made an announcement to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Thursday September 12 about the expansion plans of the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) will increase to $20 to $25 effective January 1, 2020. The move is planned to fund the future growth of the airport and to ensure sound, long-term financial health. The fee is applicable to the passengers travelling outside British Columbia. Even after the price increase, YVR airport has one of the lowest AIF out of the eight major Canadian airports. It it also offers a heavy discounted rate for flights within BC and towards the Yukon at $5. Other information shared at the event included the results of the latest economic impact study—emphasizing how key to the area the airport is. According to the report: “Through its operations, tourism and cargo, YVR helps facilitate $20.2 billion in total economic output, $10.4 billion in total Gross Domestic Product and $1.4 billion in total government revenue in B.C. In addition, YVR supports more than 26,500 jobs on Sea Island and over 126,000 jobs across the province.” Necessitating the AIF is the fact that the government doesn’t contribute funding to running the airport. No AIF would mean there weren't enough funds to both operate and improve the airport. According to YVR, “{It] has collected $2.2 billion from the AIF since its inception in 1993 and has spent $3.7 billion on capital projects during that same timeframe.’ Bhavika Gaba, a student at Douglas College, in an interview with the Other Press said, “The hike in the fee is totally understandable but the cost of flying is increasing day by day. The airport authority is a major beneficiary of the economy. Citizens do gain in terms of job opportunities and infrastructure but get impacted as well.” Over the period of next 20 years, the Vancouver Airport is expected to go through a multi-billion-dollar capital expansion program and complete nearly 75 major projects. Richmond discussed the importance of the developmental projects by saying, “If we took away the AIF, YVR wouldn't be able to keep up. We wouldn't be able to make sound decisions that have the success of future generations in mind or meet regulatory requirements. Our infrastructure would wear down, the passenger experience would decline, people would choose other airports for connections and we would not be able to deliver on our public mandate to provide economic and social benefits to our communities.”