Children are naturally drawn to the Internet, because it is an endless source of information, games, movies, music and entertainment. It plays an increasingly important role in socializing and social networking. It involves more active interaction than television and is a valuable resource for research and homework. Most schools now use it as a tool for communication between students and teachers. Still, if children spend too much time online, it may interfere with school work, hinder socialization with peers and family, foster inactivity and encourage weight gain. Most experts suggest limiting children's online time to no more than one or two hours per day.
Make Browsing Healthy and Safe
Step 1
Place the computer that children use to access the Internet in a public, visible location. Do not allow them to use the Internet without an adult nearby to monitor their use.
Step 2
Set up a user ID for your child that has limited privileges. Settings should prohibit adult content. Additional filters or software can be downloaded that provide further protection.
Step 3
Discuss and agree on limits for how much time each day the child will be allowed to access the Internet or use other media for entertainment purposes. Most experts recommend limiting children's use of all media---video games, television, computer and Internet--to one or two hours per day. You may choose to allow computer and homework time to be not be credited against their personal time, but you might still want to generally establish a maximum limit of three hours per day of total screen time.
Step 4
Establish as a rule that there is no television, Internet or video game use until all homework and chores are completed. Use the Internet as an incentive to encourage productivity.
Step 5
You can keep track of Internet and media time using a kitchen timer. The timer can be set up right next to the computer so your children can see how much online time they have left.
Step 6
Establish a rule that requires a diversity of activity during the day. For example, if your children want to spend two hours online, then they also have to spend an hour playing outside or engaging in a physical activity.
Step 7
Assure that computer and media use does not interfere with proper meals, nutrition or sleep.
Step 8
Bookmark sites that your child uses so they can go directly to favored sites without having to type in addresses. This reduces the risk of typos that can accidentally lead to inappropriate sites.
Step 9
Carefully monitor your child's use of the Internet. Spend time with young children, surfing the web with them. Make yourself familiar with the sites they visit. Preview games they play and sites they visit and check ratings on the games they play. Help them to learn Internet etiquette and safety. For example, do not allow your children to use private chat rooms, and explain what they should do if they see questionable or suspicious postings.
Step 10
Explain to your children that you will be able to monitor their online use even for those brief periods of time when you are not directly supervising them.
Things You'll Need
- Kitchen timer
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