How to Keep Kids’ Online Time Under Control
Don't give kids complete freedom when it comes to computer time. Teach them to keep a balance and you will also keep them safe and healthy
“Turn off that computer!” It’s a common cry from frustrated parents who wish their kids would go outside, play a board game, read a book, or even clean their bedroom (well, maybe that’s going too far). Kids – and adults – often can’t resist going online for computer games, social networking, watching YouTube, listening to online music or streaming movies. There have never been so many distractions and entertainment options available. To make life a little manageable, here are some sensible suggestions to balance kids’ computer time and keep them safe online.
1. Friend your kids
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one of the most popular activities performed on the internet is social networking. It was found to be more common for internet users in the younger age groups: 88 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 86 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds performed this activity. If your kids are using social networks, go on that network and become an online ‘friend’ with your child. That way, you can see what they post and ensure it’s appropriate.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one of the most popular activities performed on the internet is social networking. It was found to be more common for internet users in the younger age groups: 88 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds and 86 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds performed this activity. If your kids are using social networks, go on that network and become an online ‘friend’ with your child. That way, you can see what they post and ensure it’s appropriate.
2. Keep it impersonal
Social networking can be fun for kids provided a few simple ground rules are followed. Ensure your kids keep personal information to a minimum and avoid competitions, giveaways and surveys. Talk to them about the kinds of photos they can post and ensure that their privacy settings are set correctly. O’Neale says: “Simply using social networking services means there is a risk of children making too much personal information public. Impress them that it is important not to divulge their full name, phone number, address, or a photo of themselves. It is also better to keep the name of their school and date of birth offline.”
Social networking can be fun for kids provided a few simple ground rules are followed. Ensure your kids keep personal information to a minimum and avoid competitions, giveaways and surveys. Talk to them about the kinds of photos they can post and ensure that their privacy settings are set correctly. O’Neale says: “Simply using social networking services means there is a risk of children making too much personal information public. Impress them that it is important not to divulge their full name, phone number, address, or a photo of themselves. It is also better to keep the name of their school and date of birth offline.”
3. Monitor it
It’s important that kids don’t have total freedom when it comes to computer time. Time restrictions need to be in place and observed. Devices should never be allowed in bedrooms – keep that room for sleep, relaxation and book reading. It’s also a good idea to monitor what sites are being visited to assist with homework.
It’s important that kids don’t have total freedom when it comes to computer time. Time restrictions need to be in place and observed. Devices should never be allowed in bedrooms – keep that room for sleep, relaxation and book reading. It’s also a good idea to monitor what sites are being visited to assist with homework.
4. Be in it together
When there are two people – whether it’s two kids, or one parent and one child – studying in a room, it may be better to face the other way. It creates more of a personal space without distracting each other. It also makes it easy to keep an eye on how long kids are spending on the computer (via a quick backwards glance over your shoulder).
When there are two people – whether it’s two kids, or one parent and one child – studying in a room, it may be better to face the other way. It creates more of a personal space without distracting each other. It also makes it easy to keep an eye on how long kids are spending on the computer (via a quick backwards glance over your shoulder).
5. Keep it out in the open
A computer nook can work as a homework zone but it needs to be well positioned. Place the computer in a common area where it’s easy for you to keep an eye on which sites are being accessed and how long the kids are spending online. O’Neale suggests that a good way to keep devices under control in the home is by placing the laptop in the dining room, rather than being hidden away in a study or in the bedroom.
A computer nook can work as a homework zone but it needs to be well positioned. Place the computer in a common area where it’s easy for you to keep an eye on which sites are being accessed and how long the kids are spending online. O’Neale suggests that a good way to keep devices under control in the home is by placing the laptop in the dining room, rather than being hidden away in a study or in the bedroom.
6. Make it functional
Although dealing with device overdose is a problem, it’s still important to have a functional desk for a child. Task lighting and wall-mounted shelves bring more functionality, while a pinboard is ideal to hang artwork, invitations and certificates. Make sure the seat is comfortable and a window with a view can remind them that there’s a big world outside!
Although dealing with device overdose is a problem, it’s still important to have a functional desk for a child. Task lighting and wall-mounted shelves bring more functionality, while a pinboard is ideal to hang artwork, invitations and certificates. Make sure the seat is comfortable and a window with a view can remind them that there’s a big world outside!
7. Remind them of balance
Computers are great but they are not the ‘be all and end all’. This room is full of the distractions kids love. It helps remind them that there are plenty of things to do, experience and enjoy that don’t require internet access. Help your kids balance their computer use with other pursuits for a happy, well-rounded child.
Computers are great but they are not the ‘be all and end all’. This room is full of the distractions kids love. It helps remind them that there are plenty of things to do, experience and enjoy that don’t require internet access. Help your kids balance their computer use with other pursuits for a happy, well-rounded child.
8. Create device-free zone
O’Neale also suggested that no devices should be used in the bedroom. This is good advice for adults, too. We all need a place to relax, turn off and take it easy. And of course, the bedroom is no place for a television – position it in the living room or playroom.
O’Neale also suggested that no devices should be used in the bedroom. This is good advice for adults, too. We all need a place to relax, turn off and take it easy. And of course, the bedroom is no place for a television – position it in the living room or playroom.
9. Use parental controls
Keeping the computer in a common area is a great way to monitor computer use but there’s still a chance of children accidentally accessing inappropriate material. Placing parental controls on the computer will block websites and search terms while filtering unsuitable content. While no parental control is 100 per cent effective, it greatly reduces the chances of kids accidentally ending up where they shouldn’t be.
Keeping the computer in a common area is a great way to monitor computer use but there’s still a chance of children accidentally accessing inappropriate material. Placing parental controls on the computer will block websites and search terms while filtering unsuitable content. While no parental control is 100 per cent effective, it greatly reduces the chances of kids accidentally ending up where they shouldn’t be.
10. Adopt a wi-fi curfew
If your child is studying, often the peace and quiet of the bedroom can be an advantage. However, to ensure that computer sessions don’t go all night, agree on a finish time and then turn off the wi-fi. Disconnecting from the computer can mean reconnecting with the family.
Creating study nooks for teens
If your child is studying, often the peace and quiet of the bedroom can be an advantage. However, to ensure that computer sessions don’t go all night, agree on a finish time and then turn off the wi-fi. Disconnecting from the computer can mean reconnecting with the family.
Creating study nooks for teens
Welcome to the future
Computers are now simply a fact of life. According to the ABS, 6.2 million households had broadband internet access in 2010 to 2011. This is an increase of over one million households since 2008 to 2009. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of all households now have broadband. While it’s fun and necessary for kids to use computers, it needs to be monitored closely and balanced with other pursuits. Computer use should be integrated carefully into a child’s life without it becoming the dominant pursuit. Set some sensible rules and ensure they are followed.
Computers are now simply a fact of life. According to the ABS, 6.2 million households had broadband internet access in 2010 to 2011. This is an increase of over one million households since 2008 to 2009. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of all households now have broadband. While it’s fun and necessary for kids to use computers, it needs to be monitored closely and balanced with other pursuits. Computer use should be integrated carefully into a child’s life without it becoming the dominant pursuit. Set some sensible rules and ensure they are followed.
TELL US
Do you feel like your children need to spend a little less time switched on? Let us know in the Comments.
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Do you feel like your children need to spend a little less time switched on? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ideas for Keeping Your Tech Organised
Digital Detox: 10 Ways to Create Tech-Free Boundaries at Home
With so much negative press about kids’ online activity, it’s worth remembering that there are many positive aspects to using computers and being online. Rosalie O’Neale, a senior advisor of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cybersmart Outreach division says, “There’s no need to be scared of kids using technology. It’s an exciting time with much potential to create, connect and communicate. The best thing we can do as adults is to keep our kids safe online and show them how useful – and how much fun – the online world can be.”