How to Limit Computer Time for Children

If it's not one screen, it's another. When you tell your child to turn off the TV, he asks to play on the computer instead. Both seem magnetic and you are hard-pressed to peel your child away from either electronic screen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours of television programming, which includes screen time on the computer. Limiting computer time has its own obstacles though since the computer can also be used for educational purposes and is often used for school work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Timer
• Computer monitor system
• Alternative activities

1. Set up the family computer in a common area where children can be monitored.

2. Agree on a daily limit for computer use, both for school work and as entertainment. Explain the computer is not to be used for games or Web surfing until all homework and chores are completed for the day. Set aside a specific time, such as one hour, when the child can use the computer for games or websites.

3. Enforce time limits by setting a kitchen timer near the computer and setting it when "free" time is started. Games and websites must be promptly exited once the timer goes off.

4. Help your child learn computer efficiency by encouraging games that help learn typing and key padding. Bookmark her favorite sites so there is no danger of mistyping the Web address. (Some dangerous or profane websites are modeled after the misspelling of popular kid's websites.) Encourage her to keep an index card near the computer with her avatars and passwords for each site.

5. Surf online with your children so you can teach internet etiquette firsthand. Have your child give you the "tour" of her favorite places.

6. Become computer literate, especially as your children get older. Install monitoring systems and explain to children that their actions and Web history is being tracked.

7. Forbid private chat rooms for children. Explain the dangers of online predators to your children in terms that they can understand. Encourage them to alert you to any suspicious behavior on posting boards and explain what they should say if they are invited to a private chat room.

8. Check rating on computer video games and preview games found online

9. Transfer the interest your child shows in an online topic to the real world. If he enjoys researching animals online or playing animal games, take him to the zoo or a pet store to learn more about animals. If he enjoys games that require shooting targets, buy him a dart board or other hand-eye coordination game.

10. Encourage outdoor activities, sports and hobbies by having plenty of supplies and opportunities around. Outfit your backyard with open spaces, a few sporting items and plenty of time to indulge in sports.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow your child to have a computer in his room where it can not be monitored.

[annetu]

on 10/19/2009 I'm a working mom and the problem of controlling
of PC activity was vital for me cause my son
spent too much time on the PC.

My friend advised me a simple parental control software Time Boss http://www.nicekit.com/

I hope it will facilitate a life to someone else.

Anne

[raythe42]

on 5/15/2009 Try Time Monitor. It's parental control software designed to limit kids computer time and runs on Windows XP, 2003, and Vista. It's easy to use and free to try.Visit http://www.time-monitor.comand download the free trial program.

[sicignano]

on 5/13/2009 SoftwareTime.com provides a very good product called ComputerTime that also is a big help. So to complement Daniel and Justin's suggestions, you may also want to check out this one. Time Tokens are a nice feature of ComputerTime as well, and sharing limits across your network which is especially helpful if the kids are moving from one PC to the next. Regardless of which product you go with, as long as the computer is kicking the kids off, you will enjoy not having to argue with the kids. Peace will be restored.

[DanielVerdon]

on 1/12/2009 Actually, I prefer Ez Internet Timer http://www.internettimer.net. In addition to blocking access to the Internet during specific times of the day, the program creates different settings for each member of the family and helps me share the computer time amongst my children (they are siblings). It’s also very very user freindly. Pretty much the same price as the others, but more comprehensive… I don’t know, I just liked them more and stuck with them.

[jmagaram]

on 8/22/2008 I tried using the kitchen timer and it wasn't effective for limiting my kids computer use. They'd ignore it. And I (like many parents) wasn't disciplined enough to follow through because when the kids were on the computer I had quiet time to do my own thing. I built and use a simple software timer that enforces time limits. I set the limits (like 30 min/day) and the software gives my boys audible reminders like "5 minutes left" and boots them off when their time runs out. Give the software a try and let me know what you think. It is extremely easy-to-use but effective. You can download it from: www.TimesUpKidz.com