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Kids on the Computer-as everyday as Sesame Sreet

I grew up with a computer (well, not email and the internet but we did have a computer) but now it seems that email and kids web sites are the norm and I had better jump on board before my kids have to start teaching me and I lose control of what they are viewing. I do allow my kids a small amount of monitored TV each day but haven't really started the whole internet thing yet.... That being said, my husband has showed my daughter the Curious George and Caillou web sites. I found the web site, www.theonlinemom.com to be a good site for basic tips on how to introduce the internet to kids and for kid friendly sites (www.pbskids.org). Some of our local library's have nice web sites for kids and there are hundreds of games both learning and fun to be purchased for your computer. I agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org) recommendation of no more than 2 hours of TV per day including computer viewing. I actually try to keep it to 1 hour a day. I know there are many great shows on the TV and fun learning games on the internet but there is something about a child, mouth opened, staring at a TV or computer screen that makes me want to turn it all off and send them outside for some fresh air and running around...call me old school.

TV, computer, and Wii time

Last summer I found B on YouTube. I think he had clicked a video off the Lego site and quickly figured out how to search for other Lego videos. It was very scary for me. I try to limit computer, tv, and Wii time - nothing during the week and only a few hours on the weekend. B would play Wii all day if possible. Both kids have handheld LeapFrog games they play so they have plenty of game time. Because B has homework during the week and used to come home after 6pm each evening, it was too much to add anything else to the evenings. Now that we are going to have a nanny, we might allow some computer time after homework and chores are finished but we'll have to see. A good friend of mine recently reminded me who my husband is and how it's not a surprise that my kids love the computer. It did give me a new perspective but I'm concerned about them not sitting properly at the computer and hurting their wrists, backs, etc. Yesterday B's hands hurt from a video game, which also happens from playing too much Wii. When it seems like they are having too much screen time, we schedule outdoor time too - in equal amounts. It's sad but I don't have another solution other than outdoor family activities like hiking and camping.

  • By WestCoastMom at 28 Dec 2008 - 08:01
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