No Computer Privileges Helping Or Depriving Kids?
by Lynette
I was reading a computer magazine and in one column, the writer mentioned how he’s getting ready his old computer for his kid. Turning 1 soon. Then he went on and talked about how he and his friends’ parenting approaches differ. Hi friends do not have TV (or computers) in their home. So their child is naturally not exposed.
When their child comes over with them for a cookout, their child is like all over the TV, glued to it. While the writer’s child couldn’t be bothered and was happily playing ball in the yard.
Now, this is a rather sensitive topic to some parents and I’m not writing this to bash any style. I think we know our kids best and we do what is best for our kids (not other people’s kids) and each family is different. This post is also not to discuss the pro’s and cons of TV.
Rather, about exposing our kids to technology. I don’t know. I totally understand and encourage my kids to do other things than being glued to the computer or TV. We have a variety of things to do at home as it is. We read (books not ebooks), we play outside, we cook etc. But I tend to agree with that writer.
I do not keep my kids away from technology simply because I think it’ll be a huge disadvantage. Sure, limits and balances are key, but total abstinence is not good either. Like everything else, we just need to steer them to recognize the right and wrong, the good neighborhoods and bad ones. What about you?
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August 5th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I’m weird Lynette because I’m a bit of Luddite when it comes to thinks like TV and video games. I always swore I would never have a video game system in my home… I don’t, but my oldest was given an old Nintendo DS by his cousins, then he bought another used on eBay and gave the first to his little brother.
I feel differently about using the computer… I am teaching my oldest internetmarketing, bit by bit. I want him to have options and a lifestyle that he may not be able to enjoy any other way.
But I would be completely happy to be TV and video game free.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Hey Carrie, great input! Despite the number of TV’s and so far only one video game (Vsmile) in our home, I find my kids are not totally glued on the TV.
Yes, they watch but if I give them the option of play outside or watch Veggie Tales (one of their favorites) they would dash outside and forget in a hurry about Veggie Tales. But like I said - it’s not about TV vs no TV. I think that is quite different than computer skills which is really want I want to focus on here.
TV is not a requirement to be successful in life. But computers skills are and will continue to be an even bigger part when they are adults. Like you, I am priming them for Internet Marketing but whether they choose Internet Marketing or prefer to work a regular job. To me, it would be counter productive to say no computers.