Parenting Teenagers - Teenagers, Computers And Internet
Lately parenting forums have been buzzing with parents looking for ideas how to keep their teenagers from spending a lot of time on the computer and Internet. It seems that teenagers these days are hooked on the computer just as they were hooked on watching television just a decade ago. Whether they are logging into MySpace, downloading songs from iTunes, blogging, chatting with each other over IM, or spacing out surfing the Web, mounting evidence shows that teen computer use can in some cases be classified as either a compulsion or even an addiction.
How do you know as a parent when your teen's computer use is going too far? There is no easy litmus test here. If your teen loves to play online games, he may not be alone. However, if your teen seems to be sacrificing social opportunities or spending more than 25 hours a week in the online gaming arena, maybe something is wrong.
One of the Internet's most popular games, the World of Warcraft, is a self-contained online world with millions of different players from dozens of countries around the world. This online realm sucks teenagers in easily, and some have been known to stay on the World of Warcraft site for more than 70 or 80 active hours per week.
Today's teenager also has access to a variety of services available on the computer and over the Internet. Instead of using the telephone, they use instant messaging. They don't get their pictures printed at the corner drugstore anymore but upload digital pictures to MySpace and sharing them with friends and anyone else instantly. Even the ever-present radio or stereo have fallen out of vogue because the computer has much better sound and its attached woofer makes the room vibrate even more. Watching a movie on television has been replaced with playing a DVD on the computer. Teens may even do their homework and school projects on the computer.
Considering that many people get addicted to the Internet, parents should be able to recognize when their teen is developing a bad habit. The isolating, repetitive nature of computer work in general can be stunting in terms of development. In addition, parents should be concerned if their teens are not getting enough exercise, nutrition and sleep. A friend of mine told me just a few days ago "I caught my 11 year old son playing games on the Internet at four o'clock in the morning!"
What Parents can do
I have spent most of my time on the computer writing my book for the last few months. Since our kids tend to do as they see more often than they do as they are told, I know this would not be a good time to bring this subject up with my daughter.
To establish a good and argument-proof plan when approaching your teen to discuss this topic, it is vital that you know exactly what your teenager is doing while on the computer and how much time he is spending on each particular activity. Establish which activities you will allow, and what Web sites or activities are off limit.
Your plan also needs to include how much time you will allow for each activity and how many hours you are willing to allow per week. The Internet has become an unsafe place for teens in many respects, so you also might consider one of the software packages available that allow you to set parental controls similar to the parental controls which block certain TV programs. Be prepared for your teenager's question, "What do you want me to do instead?"
Set an example yourself. If you're an online junky or a solitaire addict, cut back on your computer use to provide a good example. Take time to connect with your teenager and to bring your family together for non-computer/TV related activities, and you'll likely see computer use decrease.
Christina Botto has been involved with helping parents and teenagers resolve complicated issues for more than 14 years, observing and developing parenting strategies. Her dedication to helping parents inspired her to write her book, 'Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-step Guide for Parents that Works.' Christina continues to help parents and their teens through her website http://www.helpwithteenagers.com.Cyprus Northern Villa
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How do you know as a parent when your teen's computer use is going too far? There is no easy litmus test here. If your teen loves to play online games, he may not be alone. However, if your teen seems to be sacrificing social opportunities or spending more than 25 hours a week in the online gaming arena, maybe something is wrong.
One of the Internet's most popular games, the World of Warcraft, is a self-contained online world with millions of different players from dozens of countries around the world. This online realm sucks teenagers in easily, and some have been known to stay on the World of Warcraft site for more than 70 or 80 active hours per week.
Today's teenager also has access to a variety of services available on the computer and over the Internet. Instead of using the telephone, they use instant messaging. They don't get their pictures printed at the corner drugstore anymore but upload digital pictures to MySpace and sharing them with friends and anyone else instantly. Even the ever-present radio or stereo have fallen out of vogue because the computer has much better sound and its attached woofer makes the room vibrate even more. Watching a movie on television has been replaced with playing a DVD on the computer. Teens may even do their homework and school projects on the computer.
Considering that many people get addicted to the Internet, parents should be able to recognize when their teen is developing a bad habit. The isolating, repetitive nature of computer work in general can be stunting in terms of development. In addition, parents should be concerned if their teens are not getting enough exercise, nutrition and sleep. A friend of mine told me just a few days ago "I caught my 11 year old son playing games on the Internet at four o'clock in the morning!"
What Parents can do
I have spent most of my time on the computer writing my book for the last few months. Since our kids tend to do as they see more often than they do as they are told, I know this would not be a good time to bring this subject up with my daughter.
To establish a good and argument-proof plan when approaching your teen to discuss this topic, it is vital that you know exactly what your teenager is doing while on the computer and how much time he is spending on each particular activity. Establish which activities you will allow, and what Web sites or activities are off limit.
Your plan also needs to include how much time you will allow for each activity and how many hours you are willing to allow per week. The Internet has become an unsafe place for teens in many respects, so you also might consider one of the software packages available that allow you to set parental controls similar to the parental controls which block certain TV programs. Be prepared for your teenager's question, "What do you want me to do instead?"
Set an example yourself. If you're an online junky or a solitaire addict, cut back on your computer use to provide a good example. Take time to connect with your teenager and to bring your family together for non-computer/TV related activities, and you'll likely see computer use decrease.
Christina Botto has been involved with helping parents and teenagers resolve complicated issues for more than 14 years, observing and developing parenting strategies. Her dedication to helping parents inspired her to write her book, 'Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-step Guide for Parents that Works.' Christina continues to help parents and their teens through her website http://www.helpwithteenagers.com.Cyprus Northern Villa
Mary Kay Cosmetic Com
Angeles Korean Los Spa
Hitachi 43f300
Pubic Pimples
Sky Sports Football
Old Testament Facts
Seventeen Magazine Web Site
Sea Doo Seascooter Gti
Wording For Christmas Party Invitation
Bird Flu New
Weight Watcher Salad Recipe
Cfp Franc
Universal Studio Tickets
Education Guide Home In Law Parent Right Right School
Playstation Xbox
Menopause And Adult Acne
Volkl Tennis Racquet
Larsen Constructions India
Martys Top Ten Diet And Fitness Strategy
06 Ea Nhl Sports
1 Apartment Cat Search
Market Niche Publishing
Free Radio Satellite Sirius
0 Rings
07 Gmc New Truck
Exercise Fitness Magazine
Condo Mammoth Summit
P4i Fire Dragon
Stocks
Canada Postal Office
Ugly Stepsister
Discount Vases
200 Cd Wallet
Horse Snow Winter
1 2 Dvd Office Season
Affordable Health Insurance Tampa
Joliet Job Corps Center
Investing Move Retirement Top
California Immigration
Clock Radio T617s Timex
Colorado In Office Security Social
Wage Garnishment Arizona
Trailer Vending
Christmas Around The World Home Party
Life22
Orlando Child Family Entertainment
07 Tundra
Sales Aid
Sweep Second Hand
Deep Sea Fishing Freeport Tx
Cineplayer Dvd Decoder
Banfield Hospital Pet Veterinarian
100 2006 Dating Free In Love Online Site
Crm Engineering
Party
Mill Lumber
Dothan Alabama Obituaries For January 2007
10 Edition Manager Medical Student Version
06 Aug Boat Trip
Design Build Magazine
Forex
Java Chat Applet
A Death In White Bear Lake
Jewish Children Holidays
Nike Soccer Shin Guard
Eukanuba Low Residue Dog Food
How Is Zinc A Vitamin
1 800 Code Discount Flower
In Indoor Minnesota Park Water
1 800 Number Directory
3 Next Play Release Station When
Days Of Our Lives Rumors
Holidays In Mexico
Holiday Travel Tip
Radio Station Philadelphia Pa
10 Fact Global Warming
Freebies
1 2005 F4 Garden Meteor Part
Air Basketball Jordan Nike Shoes
Blog Submission Directory
Asian Dress Floral Mini
Patricia Thomas
Carpet Cleaning Las Vegas
1000 Boot Motorcycle Puma
Nissan Jobs
Steve Stewart
Supplements Or Vitamins That Help With Mood Swings
School
Dating Advice For Black Man
Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club
Sectional Recliners And Chaise Lounges
Country Inn And Suite Calgary
Grammer Checker
Huntington Bank Careers
Cheapest Flight To Costa Rica
Time Share Resort Exchange
1 2 3 Magic
Truck Bed Carpet
1192 Pet Supply Wholesale
Christmas Funny Story
Kite Land Mexico New Sailing
Flower And Gardening Magazine
Georgia Job
How To Prime A Pool Pump
Application California Home Mortgage Loan
Andreas Coffee Download Gta Hot Mod San
Shoes
1 Footwear Jordan Michael Page
Exchange History London Stock
Article Article Empirical Family In Journal Stress Theory Using