| Computer use for children is as commonplace today | | | | drive. If games are offered as part of the purchase |
| as working on the farm was in the past. That is why | | | | package, ask for the discs to be supplied separately. In |
| parents need to know how to help their children use | | | | this way, you have more control over what games |
| computers in the proper way as well as to protect | | | | your child can play. |
| them from any negatives that can easily be found in | | | | Computer games do have their uses. They are a |
| the virtual world. When today's children reach | | | | powerful source of behavioral modification and can be |
| adulthood, many if not most of them will work with | | | | used as incentives or rewards. However, they have |
| computers in their jobs. Most schools provide access | | | | this power only if the child doesn't have free access to |
| to computers but, understandably, many parents feel | | | | them at all times. By keeping the discs safely out of |
| that a computer at home will be of educational value | | | | reach, you retain command. |
| to their child. | | | | Delete any 'adult' or violent games from your hard |
| Proper Supervision is the Key | | | | drive, even if you don't possess the disc for it and will |
| The key parental responsibility regarding computers | | | | lose it forever. Of course, your child may have access |
| and children is supervision. Keep a close eye on your | | | | to unsuitable games at friends' homes. If you know |
| child's computer use. One way to do this is to limit their | | | | that computer games are on the agenda during a visit, |
| access to it. If you haven't already invested in a | | | | a quiet chat with the parents usually helps. |
| computer, before you do, decide how it will be used, | | | | When supervised, computer games have their share |
| for what and when, and make sure your child | | | | of benefits. They can act as a tutor. Word processing |
| understands these 'rules of use'. Start your child on | | | | or a fun typing program sometimes helps even the |
| software that is 'beneficial', such as educational | | | | most unmotivated with pencil and paper to become |
| software. Most of these are now sufficiently game-like | | | | productive on screen. As well, computer games can |
| to grab the attention of the uninitiated for hours. Or, at | | | | help the disorganized to plan. Hand-eye coordination |
| first, you could insist that the computer only be used | | | | and speed of reflexes can be honed. High-quality |
| for school projects. | | | | graphics can incite creativity. |
| Once children have been exposed to 'real' games, | | | | So the news isn't all bad. Some experts believe that |
| they are less interested in other types of software, | | | | playing computer games excessively is unlikely to do |
| and you'll probably be fighting a losing battle if you try | | | | most children harm, any more than playing other |
| to insist that the computer is only to be used for | | | | games. Parents should retain control, becoming more |
| educational purposes. The best way to manage this is | | | | flexible over time as a child shows he or she can |
| to limit access time and, as always, supervision is the | | | | make good choices whether you're around or not. The |
| key. | | | | best 3 tips for parents about computer use for children |
| When you're buying a new computer, ask the | | | | is to supervise, supervise, supervise! |
| hardware provider not to load games onto the hard | | | | |