Video Game Addiction Speaker
Live presentation for students and parents on gaming and social media overuse.
"A very worthwhile experience for our students."
- Melissa Graham, Principal
"Cam’s hopeful message to live a purposeful life, while stemming out of his work in gaming addiction, transcends into an array of areas where people are facing adversity."
– Cara Yar Khan, International Program Coordinator
6 Reasons We Need to Talk About Gaming Addiction
1. 97% of youth play video games
With nearly every teenager playing games, risks of gaming addiction are at an all-time high. Fortunately, these risks can be mitigated by teaching students the warning signs and why they are so drawn to video games in the first place.2. Cause of college dropout
9% of first-year students bring gaming problems to college with them and studies show 48% will avoid studying because of it. Add a tougher workload, change in environment, and more stress, and you have an increase in dropouts.3. Lack of relatability
Gaming culture is rapidly changing and it's essential for faculty to be able to relate to their students. The gap between the two has never been wider. With college esports on the rise, it's never been more important for prevention work to be integrated.4. Impacts academic performance
In the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement nearly 27,000 first-year students reported gaming more than 16 hours/week. These students had lower SAT scores, lower high school grades, and went to college less prepared.5. Obstacle to essential social skills
Social skills are integral to students' success after college. They lead to more meaningful relationships, a better career, and an increase in their overall happiness. Gaming isolates and hurts their social skills development.6. Correlates with depression
Studies show gaming addiction can lead to psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. These symptoms cause isolation in students who need support, and lead to poor academic performance and dropout.“His message was personal, inspiring, clearly delivered and flowed naturally. Cam is at the forefront of this issue and we as a department hope to use the points Cam presented to help our students.” — John Peppinger, Senior Student Life Coordinator, Neumont University
Students need someone they can relate to
Cam Adair is the founder of Game Quitters, the world's largest support community for video game addiction, serving members in 95 countries.
His work has been published in Psychiatry Research, and featured in two TEDx talks, NPR, BBC, Forbes, ABC 20/20, CNN, VICE, and Bloomberg, amongst many others.
He has spoken at the International Conference on Behavioral Addiction in Japan, Eton College in London, the May Chidiac Foundation in Lebanon, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and the National Conference on Problem Gambling. He speaks regularly around the world at high schools, universities, parent education nights, and addiction conferences.
Cam is signed by CAMPUSPEAK, a higher education speaking agency. His keynotes combine deep and meaningful personal insights with lessons on addiction recovery, leadership, social entrepreneurship, and psychology.
His videos on YouTube have been seen over two million times.
Featured Keynotes:
Addiction to Recovery: A Gamer's Story
Type: Keynote with Q&A (60 minutes)
Audience: Students (Grades 8 and above)
Key Deliverables and Learning Outcomes:
- How gaming and social media are designed to keep you hooked
- Warning signs of problematic gaming and social media use
- How to create and change habits
- How to manage stress in healthy and productive ways
- Alternative activities to gaming and social media
"A very worthwhile experience for our students."
- Melissa Graham, Principal
Presented at TEDxBoulder. 350,000+ views.
"Treatment of pertinent concerns regarding adolescent mental health was approached in a respectful and engaging manner."
- Shawn Kasbergen, Scotch College
"This will help a lot of people."
- Thicey A. Flo, Student
Parent Masterclass: How Gaming and Social Media Are Designed to Keep Your Teenagers Hooked
Type: Keynote with Q&A (60-120 minutes)
Audience: Parents, Professionals, Teachers
Key Deliverables and Learning Outcomes:
- How video games are designed to keep teenagers hooked
- The four emotional needs gaming fulfills
- How to assess at-risk teenagers (including a screening tool)
- Effective communication to build rapport around gaming
- The four key steps and other practical tips to recovery
"Pragmatic strategies to navigate the difficulties associated with gaming."
- James Brown, Deputy Head of Senior School
"The tension in our house has lowered considerably."
- Maria, Mother
"An immense source of support for parents."
- Elaine Uskoski, Mother
Video Game Addiction Masterclass for Mental Health Professionals
Type: Keynote (60-120 minutes) or Workshop (4 hours)
Audience: Mental Health Professionals, Therapists, Clinicians
Key Deliverables and Learning Outcomes:
- How video games are designed to keep people hooked
- The four emotional needs gaming fulfills
- How to assess at-risk gamers (including a screening tool)
- Effective communication to build rapport around gaming
- How the brain is impacted by gaming and social media
- The four key steps and other practical tips to recovery
"A masterclass in video game addiction."
- Dr. Huu Kim Le, Psychiatrist
"A leader in the field of gaming addiction long before its official recognition."
- Julie Hynes, NCPG
"Your knowledge will help providers improve their quality of care with their clients."
- Connor Stieferman, MCPGSA
"Innovative, compassionate, creative."
- Jerry Bauerkemper, NCCG
"This will help a lot of people."
- Thicey A. Flo, Student
Video Games: A Gateway to Gambling?
Type: Keynote with Q&A (60-120 minutes)
Audience: Mental Health Professionals, Therapists, Clinicians, Researchers
Key Deliverables and Learning Outcomes:
- How video games are designed to keep you spending money
- Three recent trends that present a risk for problem gambling
- How gaming and gambling are similar, and how they differ
- Three dark patterns deployed in video games
- Four suggestions for gaming and gambling regulatory efforts
"One of the BEST presentations I’ve attended."
- University Professor
"You made a big impact on many people who were fortunate enough to be present."
- Maureen Greeley, Evergreen Council
"Your knowledge will help providers improve their quality of care with their clients."
- Connor Stieferman, MCPGSA
"Extremely professional in his approach."
- Jessica Collison, SHRM
Upcoming Tour Dates
- 3/2 Brisbane, Australia
- 3/3 Brisbane, Australia
- 3/4 Brisbane, Australia
- 3/5 Brisbane, Australia
- 3/12 Dallas, TX
- 3/13 Lincoln, NE
- 3/16 Pittsburg, KS - Tickets
- 3/18 Montreal, Canada
- 3/19 Montreal, Canada
- 3/27 Charleston, WV
- 4/28 Vienna, Austria
- 6/4 Aruba
- 6/5 Aruba
- 6/22 TBA
- 7/20 Singapore
- 7/25 Washington, DC
- 9/25 Princeton, NJ
"I have no hesitation in recommending Cam Adair."
- James Brown, Churchie
"Personal, inspiring, and flowed naturally."
- John Peppinger, Neumont
"His style is relaxed and invites participation."
- Beth Huppert, Poway
