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.
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Instructions
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Set up the family computer in a common area where children can be monitored.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Surf online with your children so you can teach internet etiquette firsthand. Have your child give you the "tour" of her favorite places.
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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.
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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.
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Check rating on computer video games and preview games found online
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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.
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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.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not allow your child to have a computer in his room where it can not be monitored.
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Comments
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tiredofbs
Oct 11, 2010
You have got to be kidding! My children will use the computer when they are not supposed to be on-line. In other words, they use it behind our backs. I was looking for a computational way to enforce time limits on the use of the computer. We are way beyond talking to the children about it.
