Parents’ Poll: Kids and Computers!
Results of the Survey:
Here's what you told us about your kids and computers. Some of your answers may be surprising. Thanks for all your great input.
Most of you expressed a generally positive reaction to your kids' use of computers, but also offered important warnings and suggestions. There were specific themes that were reflected in your responses:
- Computers are useful tools that kids will need to learn to use.
- When kids are on computers, they're not engaged in other worthwhile activities.
- Computer, and especially Internet, use needs to be closely monitored.
- It helps to keep the computer in a central location, discuss safe use of the computer, post rules, know all your kids' passwords, and stay involved.
- Parents need to limit the amount of time kids spend at the compute—several of you suggested 20 minutes to an hour a day.
Who you are:
The majority of parents responding to the poll have kids in the 4 to 10 age range. However, about a quarter of you have a child 11 or older, and 16% have a child 3 or under.
When you said it's appropriate for a child to start using the computer:
40% said between 0 and 3
48% said between 4 and 6
12% said between 7 and 10
At what age you said kids should have access to the Internet:
8% said between 0 and 3
27% said between 4 and 6
43% said between 7 and 10
14% said between 11 and 14
8% said at 15 +
What activities your kids engage in on the computer:
97%--Games
64%--Schoolwork
25%--Communicating with friends
25%--Music
6%--Video-sharing sites
4%--Social-networking sites
Some of you described your children's computer activities. You mentioned drawing; writing stories; Googling interest--space, UFOs, animals; educational software; window shopping; sending and receiving e-mail; watching TV shows; book reports.
Many of you reported that your kids play educational games; and one noted "no shooting," "no jumping"; one mentioned MySpace; and several mentioned kids spending time on websites designed for children.
Read on to see quotes from parents. Your opinions and strategies vary. See if any of these approaches will work for you.
What parents see as the positives:
I think it's great that they are typing reports for school on the computer and that they can use the Internet to facilitate research.
I believe my daughter is gaining important skills she will use in the future.
My child is only 8, and she loves to go to kid websites for games and to make e-cards to send to her friends.
He just likes to find out about things and uses the Internet like an encyclopedia.
You can hone a kid's analytical skills by helping him look at Internet posts with a critical eye.
What parents see as the drawbacks:
I don't want the computer to have a negative influence on my son's ability to think and problem-solve on his own. Plus, there's nothing like touching and turning the pages of a book.
I'm concerned about what they can encounter (negative messages, violence, etc.).
I've read studies about whether it helps them or not. Mostly it does NOT. Don't assume that technology is always a good thing for kids . . . think about what is being replaced. What could they be doing that would connect them with nature, for example?
I believe that children spend too much time in front of computers rather than playing with friends or engaging in movement activities.
Suggestions for monitoring kids' computer use:
We have discussed safe use of the computer and have posted the family rules for computer use (no sharing e-mail with strangers, etc.) next to the computer.
I definitely limit the amount of time they spend on the computer playing games or window shopping.
I monitor everything they do, and they are not allowed to e-mail or IM anyone without my adding them to the "allowed" list.
I create my own accounts on the gaming sites that my kids use. They don't know that it is me, of course. This way I can check up on what they are doing from my work computer, and they don't have a clue. Is it spying? Yes, but they are young and their safety is more important than their privacy at this age. I have heard of far too many kids who have gotten themselves into trouble from having webcams and the Internet in their rooms. Is this foolproof? Of course not, but it is something.
My girls know that if anything (inappropriate) pops up they have to come get me.
They are not allowed to be on the Internet when friends come over. I have enough trouble policing my own kids, never mind the neighborhood.
The computer should be in a public area, at least for younger kids, so that you can keep your eye on what they are doing online. Also, if you have the basic computer knowledge, and it is easy to do, check on what kind of web searches they are doing and websites they have visited. This can help you determine how much oversight they need or if you need to limit their access.
Limit computer use to half-hour increments because it is easy for kids to be too distracted and get "hooked" or "addicted" to certain games or kids' websites. Sign up to receive weekly "report cards" from your Internet provider, which is usually under parental controls. You must always know any passwords they have. Let it be understood that if they "chat" with someone, it is someone they already know from school or camp. Also, no personal info about your town, teams they play on, street names, last names, etc., when they are chatting. Last but not least, make sure you are in constant communication regarding their use. A good way to do this is to take an interest in their use of websites and have them show you what they have created or listen to a cool song they have downloaded. Make sure they understand that the rules about privacy are for safety purposes.
Feelings about age-appropriateness:
My son only uses the computer to play educational games. He is 7 years old, so I do not allow him on the Internet.
I think my child learned how to read and interpret icons early on in her life because she was introduced to computers early.
Small children do not need to become tech savvy. It is truly not necessary. They will learn any tech skills when they get older.
I think my 11-year-old and 18-year-old spend too much time on the computer, but it's better than their being out somewhere when I don't know where they are and what they're doing and with whom.
I believe that my 13-year-old is on the computer too much, and that kids should communicate with friends verbally more than they do.
We don't use any of the NetNanny-type services to limit what kids can access and to record what they do, but I am interested in looking into that, especially when my kids get closer to their teens.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences and suggestions.