Internet Life and Family Life: Finding Balance in a Quickly Advancing World
The following scenario might be all too familiar: You’ve prepared dinner, but before anyone can eat, you have to drag your kids away from their computers. Even after you get them to the table, they break out their phones and continue surfing the Internet. You would scold them, but you really need to check your emails as well, and this is the first free second you’ve had all day.
Even if you’re not very net savvy yourself, chances are, someone in your household is struggling to find a healthy balance between the Internet and real life. No one wants to be part of a family of non-communicative zombies who do nothing but stare at a screen all day, but you know all too well that it’s borderline impossible to disconnect from the Internet. You need it, your spouse needs it, and if nothing else, your children need it for homework. What is a parent supposed to do?
Set Some Rules and Stick to Them
It might be difficult, but you must set an example for your kids. This means that if you’ve told them no phones at the dinner table, you can’t get out your own when you need to check an email. Your kids might fight you at first, but they could eventually begin to enjoy the break from the Internet during dinner.
Turn the Wireless Signal Off at Night
If your kids are missing out on precious hours of sleep due to staying up too late on the Internet, something really needs to be done. Rather than commandeering their laptops and cell phones each night, consider a simpler solution: Keep the wireless router in your bedroom and shut it off when you go to sleep. If your kids know there is no chance of getting online, they will have an easier time winding down for bed.
Remove the Data Plan
The problem with the above option is that many kids have data plans that allow them to access the Internet on their phones without a wireless signal. If you feel this is a necessity, remind yourself that a decade ago, most kids got by just fine without having cell phones at all, let alone Internet. Keeping the Internet as a part of your family phone plan is fine as long as everyone is maintaining a healthy balance, but if you see your kids abusing the luxury, don’t be afraid to get rid of it.
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The post Internet Life and Family Life: Finding Balance in a Quickly Advancing World appeared first on Empowered Teens and Parents.
Debra Beck's Blog
