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I have seen so many posts here about people with elementary-school aged kids
who have been dealing with some kind of harassment via e-mail, Facebook, etc.
...Why do these kids have access to these things?
Maybe my family is old-school, but our kids do not and will not have e-mail accounts for a very long time.
They also don't have Facebook accounts or cell phones.
They only use our computer for the 2 school-based programs their homework requires.
The rest of the time they are at sports practice, music practice, reading, or playing outside.
We don't even do video games... no Wii, no DS, nothing. TV, okay but nothing violent or sexually suggestive.
They do very well in school and have no attention problems or "syndromes."
(However, the tween 'tude is certainly making an appearance as time goes on! )
Not trying to put anyone on the defensive, but I really am wondering why parents introduce this world so early
and also wondering if anyone else shares my view. Thanks.
Last edited by Alltheusernamesaretaken; 01-05-2012 at 07:18 AM..
Both my daughters got Facebook accounts when they were of age--I think it was 13. They were in eighth grade at the time. My oldest has had email for years now. I can't remember how long, but her age was probably in the single digits. The youngest is seven and does not have a Facebook account or email. He does play an online game, Lego Universe, where he can interact with live people. That game is strictly monitored, and we kept an eye on him. He lost interest. He likes video games, but we do not allow him to play XBox Live with anyone outside his family. My oldest has several XBox Live friends and a cell phone.
My outlook is that the world is changing. My kids are going to have to be a part of it at some point, and that includes using the technology that is available. I am also going to have to be a part of it, so that I can continue to watch over her. There are risks, I know, but I am not convinced that sheltering my kids or myself is the best solution.
I have seen so many posts here about people with elementary-school aged kids
who have been dealing with some kind of harassment via e-mail, Facebook, etc.
...Why do these kids have access to these things?
Maybe my family is old-school, but our kids do not and will not have e-mail accounts for a very long time.
They also don't have Facebook accounts or cell phones.
They only use our computer for the 2 school-based programs their homework requires.
The rest of the time they are at sports practice, music practice, reading, or playing outside.
We don't even do video games... no Wii, no DS, nothing. TV, okay but nothing violent or sexually suggestive.
They do very well in school and have no attention problems or "syndromes."
(However, the tween 'tude is certainly making an appearance as time goes on! )
Not trying to put anyone on the defensive, but I really am wondering why parents introduce this world so early
and also wondering if anyone else shares my view. Thanks.
What is so terrible about the internet? There are dangers out there, true but like anything else those dangers can be managed.
Our family is scattered all over the country. However, we use the internet to have a family fantasty football league. My niece, nephews, kids all play. It is a lot of fun and the kids keep in touch even though they live in three different states in different time zones.
What is wrong with that?
Many kids have school assignments where they use the internet starting in elementary school.
There are also games online that are appropriate for younger kids. My kids used to like the NickJr. site a lot.
Kids who like sports can follow their favorite players online.
There are so many appropriate uses of technology for kids that I wonder why people continue to obsess over the inappropriate ones. Why not just supervise your own kids and what they do, whether online or irl?
What I don't understand is why seemingly intelligent parents still allow computers in their young children's rooms or other unmonitored internet access. Despite all of the warnings against this, they still allow it. Unbelievable.
I don't see a problem with kids using these technologies, as long as they are taught how to use them appropriately. An elementary school-aged child should be monitored when using the internet. Don't let them have a computer in their room, instead have a computer in the main living space where others can see what's going on. Install software to block certain sites and set time limits (of course, the kids are probably smart enough to circumvent these kinds of software programs).
My outlook is that the world is changing. My kids are going to have to be a part of it at some point, and that includes using the technology that is available. I am also going to have to be a part of it, so that I can continue to watch over her. There are risks, I know, but I am not convinced that sheltering my kids or myself is the best solution.
I agree with this. Our 3.5 year old is computer literate, so are his peers. My thought on the matter is that technology should be a tool (not a replacement for other things) and the same rules that apply IRL apply to the use of technology.
We have guidelines for limiting screen time, what is age appropriate, etc. We're not going to let him veg in front of computer screen any more than we would allow him to veg in front of the TV. He knows how to call his grandparents who live out-of-state on FaceTime when he wants to share something with them; we have a family email address so the grandparents can send him messages or he can share his artwork with them. There are computers in his preschool classroom with learning software. When he is old enough to use social media (according to the TOS) we will deal with those challenges as well.
I plan to continue age-appropriate supervision with technology, as with other aspects of his life, as he grows up, because like it or not, this generation of kids will be expected to function in a very tech-driven world.
I have seen so many posts here about people with elementary-school aged kids
who have been dealing with some kind of harassment via e-mail, Facebook, etc.
...Why do these kids have access to these things?
Just because your children do not have access to Facebook, e-mail etc., does not mean they cannot be the target of online harassment or bullying, it just means they would not be aware of it themselves. Just a thought.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alltheusernamesaretaken
Maybe my family is old-school, but our kids do not and will not have e-mail accounts for a very long time.
They also don't have Facebook accounts or cell phones.
That's a decision for each family to make for themselves. I know many children who have cell phones because they need them for a number of reasons. As children get older and activities get longer, the need for a cell phone increases. Also many sport and recreation activities use Facebook or email to co-ordinate activities.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alltheusernamesaretaken
They only use our computer for the 2 school-based programs their homework requires.
The rest of the time they are at sports practice, music practice, reading, or playing outside.
We don't even do video games... no Wii, no DS, nothing. TV, okay but nothing violent or sexually suggestive.
They do very well in school and have no attention problems or "syndromes."
(However, the tween 'tude is certainly making an appearance as time goes on! )
What a shame, they are missing out on many great technological advances. Many families practice moderation, the kids play sport, participate in extracurricular activities, and play video games and watch television.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alltheusernamesaretaken
Not trying to put anyone on the defensive, but I really am wondering why parents introduce this world so early
and also wondering if anyone else shares my view. Thanks.
What I don't understand is why seemingly intelligent parents still allow computers in their young children's rooms or other unmonitored internet access. Despite all of the warnings against this, they still allow it. Unbelievable.
You do hear this, but honestly I don't see it. In our peers, I don't know of any parents who do not supervise their children online.
My daughter who is 9 has had a cell phone since 1st grade because we move around a lot and I wanted to make sure she had a way to get in contact with us just in case. When we moved from Utah, she was going to be taking the bus for the first time and I was scared that she may get off at the wrong bus stop and have no way to get in touch with me. She also uses the internet and has an e-mail account for this same reason. She can keep in touch with family.
I see nothing wrong with it as long as the parent supervises. She is never on the internet in another room.
You do hear this, but honestly I don't see it. In our peers, I don't know of any parents who do not supervise their children online.
I do - with friends and my own family. And they are really people who you would swear would know better. Kids could not be on facebook harassing each other if anyone was actually supervising them. Parents just think their kids know better - THEY DON'T.
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