Hey, and you know what, kids can also install ComputerTime on their parents computers to prevent their parents from spending too much time on the computer!
Source: momfilter – TheLogOff.org
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A Dad, Mom, and six kids tried an experiment and totally unplugged from their gadgets for a week.
What do you it turned out like? Yelling? Arguments? Kids breaking down and going into total melt down mode? Will Mom and Dad even be able to resist their urges and overcome their addictions?
“But it was too hard, and I worked out I didn’t have room at work, so I unplugged everything from the wall and took all the remote controls and hid them instead.”
Despite the trepidation, the result came as a surprise to everyone.
Rather than fall apart, the family rediscovered the value of spending time with each other instead of staring at a screen.
“I didn’t think it would go as easily as it did,” Mr Mason said.
“Fortunately the weather was good, meaning the kids could spend a lot of time playing with the neighbours’ kids in the street outside.”
Puzzles, board games and conversation also filled the gadget void.
The Masons said the social experiment had changed their lives as a family. For a start, television viewing is now banned at the weekends, enabling them to spend more quality time together.
And this this part hasn’t surprised me one bit, because it echo’s what so many ComputerTime customers have told me over the years:
“We’ve seen a totally different attitude from the kids,” Mr Mason said.
He said it was fascinating to watch how his brood changed their behaviour and adapted to the altered circumstances.
“At the start of the week they whinged a bit, but by about Wednesday they were over it.
“By the end of the week they weren’t asking for anything because they knew it wasn’t going to happen.”
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Are your kids getting enough the life skills that they need?
While I guess it’s great that kids are so tech-savvy, the study points out that they may not be getting the “life skills” they need in other areas of their lives. In an interview, AVG’s Tony Anscombe said “Because we (adults) are so connected, maybe what we don’t understand is what we’re actually doing is connecting our children the same way, and it’s becoming normal for them and maybe we’re ignoring some of those life skills as well.”
Anscombe added, “as parents there is a digital responsibility to be had. We need to look at making sure that we give our children a balanced life and a mix of both life skills and technical skills.“
Source: cnet: Safe and Secure
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If only you would stop spending 4.5 hours a day in front of your screens!
Get your bodies moving!
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Computer Games are Good for Kids, Parents Say (Microsoft-commissioned survey of parents). Commenter “WinTard” says,
I would agree. My kid has been playing with computers since age 1, starting with Mother Goose. It allows them to familiarize themselves with a critical tool that will be necessary for their future success in the 3rd millennium and 21st century. And it develops an interest and passion for something worthwhile.
The major source of calamity in our society is people plodding through life without direction or objectives. And idle, bored minds turn to nasty things…
How did our civilization ever prosper in the days before computers?
Why do so many parents get this so wrong? Idle, bored minds eventually turn toward imagination and creativity. Parents need to read Richard Louv and Jane Healy.
There is plenty of time for kids to acquaint themselves with technology. They don’t need a mouse shoved into their hands at one year or even five. Jane Healy, who has studied kids and computers thinks age 7 is a good time to introduce kids to computers. Young kids should be exploring the real world with all of their senses. They really don’t need the distraction of computers.
When did your kids start using computers? Do you think what they have learned will be a major factor in their success in life?
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How’s that for a twist in the title? It’s usually the parents who desire the ability to limit their kids access to Facebook, MySpace, online games, and YouTube.
In an interesting comment on a website, a homeschooler said that her oldest child was not yet old enough for Facebook, and she limits her kids to about 3 hours a week.
Her husband is the only computer addict in the home though. She says, “I wish I could limit my husband’s computer time like I do the kids. He’s addicted to Facebook. I would like him to play checkers or ball or something — anything — with the kids.”
Hmmm. ComputerTime can help in that situation, but would it create a sticky situation? Parents are expected to have authority over their kids. Married couples are on equal footing (usually), so she can’t really force ComputerTime’s limits onto him as if she was his mom.
She can ask for his consent, but he may not give it. She has surely pleaded with him to spend more time with the kids and less of the computer. If that didn’t work, he may just see her as nagging if she keeps trying.
What if this concerned Mom turned over control to the kids? Let the kids negotiate some reasonable limits with thier dad. “Dad, we will let you have five hours per/day, but not between 3:30pm and 9:00pm. Instead we want you doing stuff with us. We’re only going to be kids for a few more years you know.” (Cue the Harry Chapin here)
What reasonable parent would have a problem with that?
This tactic might work as well for workaholic moms and dads too. Don’t squander away the time you should be enjoying with your kids. Set limits with ComputerTime if you need to.
What do you think about kids being able to limit their parents’ time on the computer?
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