Children today are becoming more and more tech savvy. Everywhere you go, you see toddlers holding
toy cell phones, or “working” on toy computers that are loaded with learning
games. Parents bring portable DVD
players on car trips or to restaurants in order to keep the kids
entertained. These devices, marketed
for young children, are seen more and more.
It seems that technology is taking over not only our lives, but the
lives of our kids.
Classes on basic computer operations are being held in
pre-schools. When children reach
elementary school age, they should not only know how to operate a computer, but
they should also know how to access the Internet and conduct web searches. The rising cost of textbooks has made it
impossible for schools to purchase a book for every class for each child. Now, to save costs, they are having the
students download e-textbooks from the schools’ websites. Each school’s website also doubles as an
on-line community where students can “speak” to each other. Teachers volunteer to tutor after hours on
the website, so if students are having difficulties with a homework assignment
or a particular subject in general, they can get help.
At the beginning of the new school year, or at the end of the old
school year, the schools will send memos to the parents on which computers or
laptops to purchase. This is to insure
that the students have the equipment that meets the system requirements for
downloads, etc. The schools will also
advise the parents of where these computers can be purchased at the best
possible price. Some may even offer
coupons for a limited time.
Internet accessibility will be required for any computer or laptop
that is purchased. With this in mind,
parents need to make sure that the computer is in a common area of the house;
never in the child’s room. A young child
needs to be supervised whenever surfing the Internet, and if the computer is
hidden away in the child’s bedroom, the parents won’t know every time the child
is signed on. They also won’t know what
they are browsing for. Always remember
that children are very curious. Being
left to wander around unsupervised on the Internet is as dangerous as allowing
them to wander alone in a big city.
Even when playing an on-line game that the child has heard about from
classmates, parental supervision is a must.
Many games have chat windows so the players can communicate with each
other. When children play on the
playground, they talk to each other. A
very young child may not be able to distinguish the difference between a playmate
on the playground and a playmate on-line.
It may be hard for a child to understand that the person he or she is
“chatting” with might not be another child.
Without supervision, your son or daughter could be giving away some
personal information such as their full name, address, phone number, or the
name of their school. This could be
disastrous.
The e-reader is another device that is being seen more than ever. There are so many children’s books and games
that can be downloaded that these can save the parents’ sanity on long
trips! One e-reader can hold all of your
child’s favorite books, games and puzzles.
Not only will this keep the child entertained for hours, but when the
trip is over, there is no cleanup because everything is on one, small device. Just remember to start the trip with the
e-reader fully charged and to bring the charger with you!
Now, here is something that some people simply do not agree with: young children and cell phones. I live near a school. At the end of every school day, there is
usually at least one child left without someone to pick them up. The child will look up and down the street
and get upset when he or she doesn’t see a parent. As parents, we know that sometimes, the
unforeseeable happens. Roads close due
to roadwork or accidents, traffic lights sometimes don’t work, an appointment
runs a bit late…so many things can happen.
But, if your child had a cell phone, you could have called and left a
message telling the child that you are running a little late and give
instructions on what he or she should do.
Even if you are running VERY late, you could make arrangements for
someone else, who is familiar to the child, to make the pick-up. Then, you could let the child know who will
be there and that it’s alright to go with that person.
Parents need to take the time to teach their kids responsibility when
it comes to using a cell phone or surfing the Internet. They need to make sure that the child knows
the rules and what the consequences are for breaking these rules.
When it comes to technology and children, the problem is not with the
technology; it’s with people who don’t take the time to instruct their children
on its proper and safe use. Yes, it
takes some extra time, but isn’t it worth that time to make sure your child is
safe?
One last thing that parents need to learn: how to say “No”. There are so many gadgets on the market, and
they are all very appealing to kids. If
a child has an iPod, does he or she really need the newest version the second it
becomes available? If a child has a
laptop, does he or she also need a desktop and iPad? Does the child need the latest cell phone as
soon as it comes on the market? When we
were younger, we all tried to get something by saying to our parents, “But
Sally, Joey and Cindy all have it”. Now,
our kids are using the same tactic on us.
Don’t fall for it; just say “No”.
If you are interested in learning more about protecting your Internet
privacy, download our FREE Internet Privacy Guide at the top of the page.
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