SubscribeWe’re raising e-kids
We’re raising e-kids, and I’m worried. If you have children, then you already know that cell phones have become electronic appendages and computer games are substitutes for actually running and sweating. But I was stunned when I saw news reports on just how much electronics are consuming our children’s lives.
This new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation tells us this: Average American youths between ages 8 and 18 spend virtually all their time, except for school, using a computer, smart phone, television or other electronic device. They constantly send text messages and talk on cell phones. They surf the internet while listening to music on their ipods. Even the authors of the study said they were stunned by the dramatic increase in media use since similar research was done five years ago.
In the meantime, obesity is increasing among our young people because of their sedentary lifestyles, and eating habits. The Kaiser study found that a significant percentage of the heaviest media users had lower grades and behavioral problems, though the findings could not determine whether the media use causes those problems.
Some experts say it’s time to stop debating whether this reliance on electronics is good or bad but to accept it as a part of the environment. Parents, what are we going to do? We aren’t powerless, though trying to help our children manage the use of all these devices is challenging and frustrating.
I’ve set up rules of etiquette for texting and cell phone use, and a limit on computer use for fun. My 15-year-old daughter seems to always be listening to her ipod. She complains that I’m a mean parent for not allowing her to send late-night text messages. It seems as if the cell phones and ipods and other electronics are somehow addicting and our children just lose themselves when they’re using them.
Parents, speak up. How are you maintaining some control in your home? Send along your tips and advice. We need to help each other.
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I am a member of the Sandwich Generation, a Baby Boomer raising a teenage daughter and dealing with the needs of an aging mother. I am a veteran journalist, having worked for more than three decades as a reporter and editor. Mostly recently, I was an editor with the Metro section of The Washington Post.
I think each generation looks at the next and complains that the younger generations are so different. But the use of technology has increased so quickly that we are having a difficult time keeping up. We are also at a loss as to what is appropriate and what is just par for the course for this generation. I think we each need to look at our child and determine what is best. I made the decision about 2 months ago to use the parental controls offered through our phone company. I have placed restrictions on my 15 year old daughter’s phone, limiting her to only 3 hours of phone use on Saturdays and Sundays. The weekdays are totally restricted, and she can’t call or text anyone during these times. What’s nice is that I am also able to allow unrestricted calls and texts from 10 people I select. So I can call her, and so can her grandparents and dad. She has actually had to use the house phone once!
She had a fit! She feels that I’m mean; I’m old and I don’t understand the young people. But truthfully, she’s getting by. The limited time on weekends is because she has chores, and homework, and books that I want her to read. The phone, ipod and computer would be a distraction.
So that’s what I’m doing. I hope it helps! I think it will…