Catagory Index: Parenting
Category: Parenting
Keep Kids Active During Spring Break
Spring Break is almost here, and while that might mean sunny beaches or ski slopes for some, millions of kids will be spending their time off close to home -- with television, iPods, computers, cell phones, and a host of other media gadgets.
In a world where kids spend an average of 45 hours per week with the media when they are in school, it’s a sure bet that kids on Spring Break are going to look to fill their extended free time with even more television, movies, video games, Web sites and text messages.
Setting Limits And Boundaries For Totally Wired Tweens
I was in a cab in Toronto last week when The John Tesh Radio Show came on. I vaguely know of John Tesh from Entertainment Tonight and his new age music, but I didn't realize he had a radio show. Anyway, John was talking about Bill Gates and his 10-year-old daughter. Gates allegedly only allows his daughter 45 minutes of online free time a day (in addition to homework). He lets her spend an hour online during weekend days.
I found this really interesting -- obviously Gates is communicating to his daughter that spending time hanging out or playing games online should be done in moderation. It's a pretty strong message and a fairly restrictive limit. It would be so easy to spend two hours online just IMing and playing games as a 10-year-old.
In the parenting chapter of Totally Wired, I emphasize that every parent is different in their values, philosophy and style/approach to these issues. Today a reporter asked me if I had some blanket advice for parents of tweens, and as I spoke to her, I realized, yes, I do.
The Virtual Wall of Silence
The other day I read a reporter's query looking for experts to explain (from a psychological perspective) why teens who seemingly never get into trouble are now posting bullying videos on YouTube or other inappropriate content online. It's as if the reporter's working theory was that "the internet made me do it." I don't believe any teen who is getting into trouble online wouldn't be getting into trouble offline. It's just that when you do it online, the public nature of the internet means more people know about it.
Last week, a company called Teenage Research Unlimited released the results of a survey that found "more than a third of the teens questioned for the survey said a boyfriend or girlfriend had harassed them with text messages, and a quarter said their partner had used a cell phone, e-mail, blog or Web chat to insult them." According to Reuters, "the survey was released at the launch of the
What Are Kids Seeing Online?
More than four in 10 teens and tweens report recently seeing pornography -- defined as pictures of nude people or sexual activity -- on the Internet, according to a study published in this month's Pediatrics. And most say they weren't looking for it.
Kids said they came accidentally came across porn while downloading games, or when they mistyped a Web address. How can parent's help their kids surf safely? Check out our tips.
Keeping Kids Healthy in a 24/7 Media World
Good health is about more than strong bones and good teeth. It’s about physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness. The media messages and images that our kids consume through TV, movies, video games, the Internet, music, and cell phones shape their values and behavior in ways that can be healthy or unhealthy.
But media runs right through the center of our kids' lives, so what's a parent to do? It's up to us to help them use the media they love both wisely and well.
That's why the editors at Common Sense Media have created a new guide for parents: Keeping Kids Healthy in a 24/7 Media World. And you can download it free from our site.
What does the guide include?
