Dr. Mary Acunzo - Psychologist, Parent, ComputerTime enthusiast

[We introduce Dr. Mary Acunzo, Developmental Neuropsychologist, as contributing editor to the Families and Technologies blog this week!]

As many parents, I have often thought about my children and computers, and as a psychologist I have pondered the pros and cons of frequent and varied computer use. While it is always nice to see your child composing stories or just typing for pleasure on the computer, it is also disconcerting to see your children in chat rooms, IMing, or playing games for hours on end. Of course, with computers as other things, there can be too much of a good thing. Whether children are playing games, writing, chatting, emailing, we all know it can become excessive. There are some children, who may be on the computer for 30 minutes and then shift to another activity without a problem. However, there are a number of children for whom this would just be impossible, regardless of what they are doing there. My son is one of those children who would not self-regulate in that regard. He has an interesting affliction that I call "screen addiction". He is literally mesmerized by any screen. When there is a TV on, his eyes, and complete focus, are on it. It truly does not matter what the content. He never watches sports, but if we are in a restaurant with a game on, he can only look at that. Thus, when he is in the throws of the computer, he's hooked, and even with many reminders of getting off, can't seem to. So suffice it to say, when ComputerTime came my way, I was more than pleased.

It is clear that the computer holds different meaning to different children. There are children who use it in a very appropriate and ideal way. It is just one of many activities they do throughout the day - for them it's a tool or another play thing. These are the children for whom we don't spend time worrying about whether the computer is damaging or negative. It is for the children who become fixated on computer games, IMing, etc., or those who use it as a way to avoid other important tasks (chores or homework), that we worry.

But why such worry? First, it takes away from other activities, such as physical outlets that all children need. Also, as with TV or other screen media, it is isolating. It takes away precious time that could be spent in interaction with peers or family members. Development of social skills is something I deal with all the time as a psychologist and I feel as though some children have less time to practice this important part of life. We all know that even if something doesn't come naturally, you can improve with practice.

No matter how we look at the issue, computers are an enormous part of our lives, the lives of our children, and definitely everyone's future in an increasing way. It is used daily and for numerous functions. Our children will benefit from having impositions of time and content. It is all part of their learning about how to manage different activities in their lives. We all need to learn how to self-regulate and ComputerTime will be instrumental in helping children learn this skill because there can always be too much of good thing.