Technology has opened the world for education as we can go beyond the four walls and binding of books. Kids have found entertainment in video games and others spend countless hours on Internet enabled devices. Many wonderful learning experiences blossom from these devices and games but how do we know when too much is too much? Do our children need a break from technology? Do we need a break?
Furthermore, how do we know when we or our children need a break?
Dr. Kimberly Young, director at the Center for Internet Addiction and Recovery, provides the following warning signs for too much online gaming/chatting/social media:
Sounds familiar? I am guilty of a few of these myself!
Should I be insanely alarmed or should I simply be aware?
Awareness is where all of this begins!
So, what can you do as a parent if you feel your child is over doing it with online time?
Dr. Kimberly Young offers us more information below:
Address the problem:
Show you care:
Become more computer-savvy:
Set reasonable rules:
Make the computer visible– Move your child’s personal computer out of his or her bedroom.
Furthermore, how do we know when we or our children need a break?
Dr. Kimberly Young, director at the Center for Internet Addiction and Recovery, provides the following warning signs for too much online gaming/chatting/social media:
- Loses track of time while online
- Sacrifices needed hours of sleep to spend time online
- Becomes agitated or angry when online time is interrupted
- Checks email several times a day
- Becomes irritable if not allowed access to the Internet
- Spends time online using games or social media in place of homework or chores
- Prefers to spend time online rather than with friends or family
- Disobeys time limits that have been set for internet usage
- Lies about amount of time spent online or “sneaks” online when no one is around
- Forms new relationships with people he or she has met online
- Seems preoccupied with getting back online when away from the computer
- Loses interest in activities that were enjoyable before he or she had online access
- Becomes irritable, moody or depressed when not online
Sounds familiar? I am guilty of a few of these myself!
Should I be insanely alarmed or should I simply be aware?
Awareness is where all of this begins!
So, what can you do as a parent if you feel your child is over doing it with online time?
Dr. Kimberly Young offers us more information below:
Address the problem:
- It is critical that all adults in the home present a united front.
- All adults in the house must agree on common goals.
- Discuss the situation together so that when you approach your child, you have a united front.
- Without a united front, the child will appeal to the more skeptical individual thus causing a fight among adults in the household.
- A single parent needs to be ready for an emotional reaction when first discussing the situation.
- As a single parent, it is critical that you not respond with emotion.
- Acknowledge your child’s feelings but stay focused on the topic of his or her internet use.
Show you care:
- Approach this sensitive situation by showing you care.
- Share your concerns about the changes you have seen in behavior.
- Explain the changes clearly: fatigue, declining grades, giving up hobbies, social withdrawal, etc.
- Set up an internet time log for a week to track how much time your child does spend online.
- Put your child on the honor system to keep the log themselves for a week or two to build trust.
Become more computer-savvy:
- Check history folders and internet logs
- Learn about monitoring software
- Installing filters to block inappropriate websites
Set reasonable rules:
- Taking the Internet devices away completely will not solve the problem
- Put the cell phone, tablet or computer away upon arriving at home.
- No social media or cell phone until after all homework is complete.
- Allow an hour per night after homework.
- Allow for a few extra weekend hours.
Make the computer visible– Move your child’s personal computer out of his or her bedroom.