I don't regard technology as a great thing when it comes to computers, television, cell phones, and video games. Don't get me wrong, I think each of those devices have a time and a place. I enjoy my blogging and e-mail and there are occasional television shows and movies that I like. But I think that it is too easy to become dependant on those things and not know how to function without them.Remember the Y2K craze where we were afraid that the whole system would shut down if it didn't recognize that it needed to roll over to 2000? Luckily, it didn't come to pass but the fact remains that a small glitch in the computer system could send the whole world into shut down mode. It seems that everything these days depends on computers.
I think that we have gone to the extreme when it comes to technology. Kids seem to either be texting, chatting online, playing video games, or watching television in their down time. I rarely (if ever!) hear a child say they want to spend their free time reading a book or playing a board game. I think that's sad. These days kids need to be entertained, instead of entertaining themselves.
We don't have a video game system. My children (ages 6 and under) are not allowed on the computer. We don't have cable so have very limited channels to choose from, and restrict television as well. I'm not against these things, I just don't feel that certain things are a right fit for our family. In due time my children will learn the basics of computers, as I feel in the job market it is a must to have computer knowledge and skills but I don't feel playing games or being online all day helps to gain those skills.
What it all boils down to for me is health and safety. I, personally, don't feel that it is a healthy lifestyle to be engrossed in technology for the better part of the day. There is a reason that America has the biggest population of obese children than any other country. I also don't feel that it is safe to allow certain technology into our lives without parental supervision. Look at the new craze of "Sexting" where teenagers send provocative pictures of themselves via their cell phones to their boyfriends/friends/possibly even complete strangers. Chatting online with complete strangers has gotten many a teenager (or pre-teen) into dangerous trouble. Porn is everywhere in the internet and a google search of something very innocent can turn up some very nasty sites.
I limit the invasion of technology in our home. I don't think my views will change on this even as my children grow.
What are your family rules when it comes to technology? Do you allow unsupervised internet usage or computers with internet hookup in your children's rooms? Do your children have their own cell phones with unlimited minutes and texting? Do you allow R movies to be viewed by your children? I'm curious to hear what rules other parents put on technology in their home, especially those with older children.
My husband's a programmer, who has been on a computer since 1980. All his free time is spent on a computer. Or on his blackberry. Or on the couch in front of the sci-fi channel. Or on our Wii. Or taking the kids' DSi systems for himself.
ReplyDeleteSo, consequently, he sees no need for rules on technology for our kids. But he's also at work all day long, so I'm the only parent during the day! And I most certainly have limits on screen time!
I really do not have rules because I do not feel that we need them. We have no cable/dish and have only the basic channels. My four girls, 14 down to 7, have never grown up having the TV on. During the day, there is never enough time for watching TV or playing on the computer. We, the parents, are not TV watchers or computer game players, so they are not even aware that they are missing out. We are all big book readers. At 7:30, it is time for all of us to get ready for bed. Then we all go to bed and read until lights off.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, my oldest daughters do occasionally email a friend but I have stated my preference that they write letters instead. If they ask to be on the computer, which is rare, I have them set the timer for 30 minutes. I just realize they have never asked to "surf" the internet. I would say no to that even though we have family friendly filters. They have plenty of other things to do and are never bored. If they are, there is always a cleaning project awaiting them! :)
My oldest two daughters both have a laptop computer. It is not hooked to the internet. We see no reason for that. They use them for school. This has been a blessing since they are doing advance Math and Latin that mom does not know anything about. They have their tutorial CDs and headphones. This is so nice since they do not have to wait to take turns.
We do get Netflix, which we love. We only get a few movies at a time and it is a treat for our family. All of my children have seen R and PG13 movies. BUT...they are ones that I have approved already. Some movies that are rated with R/PG13 are better then some of the G/PG ones. It all depends. Most movies are just not family-friendly no matter the rating.
Oh we do have a WII, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa last Christmas. I did not want one at all. But I have to say, it is a lot of fun. Again, the girls are not always asking to play it. There is to many other things to do.
Only my husband has a cell phone because his job demands it. I see no need for my children to have one. I can not stand to see people glued to theirs. I cannot stand being at a family function and the teenagers are off in their own corners "texting" their friends. That is just rude!
I am for the most part pretty strict about what my kids watch. Sometimes we can be a little lax on it but for the most part, I do limit as much as I can. My kids do not have unsupervised internet time. We have gaming systems...DS, WII, PS3, PS2, etc but we also lomit how often & for how long they are allowed to play.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are 18 and 15. We have two computers, one that is ten years old and a new laptop. We do have dish network and we enjoy watching tv in the evenings. I have to put my 2cents in about video games. When the kids were little I always said that I did not want them to have a game system. I always wanted the kids to play outside or to read a book. My oldest went to school and the teacher said that his co-ordination with using scissors was a little off. He would hold them wrong. I had noticed it at home and would try to help him. My mom bought the kids a Nintendo 64. When ds started to play the video game his manual dextarity finally kicked in. I did however put a limit on how long they could play. I didn't have too much of a fight because they would usually be done when I came back to tell them to get off. Now that ds is 18 he has his own phone. I have a tracfone and he was constantly begging for a phone because all of his friends have one. Well, he does have a job so for Christmas we got him a tracfone that he has to pay for. We bought him a double minute for life phone so when he buys his minutes they will double. He has done pretty well with it. I think that we as parents are pretty strict when the kids are young, but as they get older there are certain areas that we have to let them have some computer time or technology time. After all, we are in a technological society and our children have to compete in it once they are out of our house. Ds is going to college next fall and has to have a laptop for classes. They are thrown into life's challenges and will have to accept technology sooner than we had to.
ReplyDeleteBeth
What are your family rules when it comes to technology?
ReplyDeleteMine are 6 and 3 so not a HUGE issue right now. But I do set a timer for my son to play his Wii or PS2.
Do you allow unsupervised internet usage or computers with internet hookup in your children's rooms?
NOt now, but MAYBE when they are older, maybe not...
Do your children have their own cell phones with unlimited minutes and texting?
No, nor will they ever. We have talked on this a great deal as my oldest is 6 and I know a 7 year old with his own cell phone! RIDICULOUS!
We have decided our kids wil not be bought a car. We will however buy and extra car (if we can) for them to use/share. There will be a prepaid phone that goes with the car, for safety. But if they want their own cell phone, they're gonna have to pay for it.
Do you allow R movies to be viewed by your children? No. But they are 6 and 3. I'm not sure WHEN we will allow 'R' rated movies for them....
ya limit it. to omuch of it these days. even the children of the 80s...thats me
ReplyDeleteNothing you listed is something that needs to be banned. Its just common sense to make sure its all in moderation. Every family is different, and will have different needs for technology.
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