Kids and Electronics: How Much is Too Much?

By Ayo Hart

In the world of social media and networking sites, text messages and Skype, children are being introduced to new “friends” every day. Now I know why my cul de sac is empty after school.

Today’s teens and tweens prefer Facebook, texting and Skype as their means of communication.  Gradeschoolers are joining Club Penguin—”Facebook Jr.”  I’m sure you’ve witnessed what I have seen all too often: a group of kids walking or sitting together texting friends or updating their Facebook statuses, completely oblivious to the group of friends with whom they’re sitting.  

What about a 5 p.m. carpool, where the interior of a dark car is full of kids whose faces are lit up by their iTouch’s, DS’s and other hand-held gaming devices?

We all know the role Facebook played in President Obama’s 2008 campaign—and the role networking sites continue to play in politics and business worldwide—not to mention the countless stories of friends and family reunited through social media.

Do 12 year-olds belong on Facebook? And does she really have 429 “friends”?

Is it a problem if children are creating online profiles at younger ages? Do they lack the maturity to understand the repercussions of using these sites unwisely?  Are sites like Togetherville, ScuttlePad and What’s What safer? Call me old-fashioned, but I can’t for the life of me understand why children don’t pick up the phone and call a friend after school anymore. I’m told by the high school athletes that I coach even emails are passé! 

Please log in and join our discussion as we look at the following questions: 

·                                 At what age can a child join social media sites?

·                                 How many hours of screen time—TV, computer, hand-held gaming, other—does your child have per week?

·                                 Aside from “parental controls” how do you monitor your children online? 

·                                 How much time do you think your child spends on social networking sites each week—including time spent on sites via smartphones?

·                                 Does your child have a cell phone s/he uses for more than just an emergency?

·                                 Do you monitor your child’s use of his or her cell phone?

There’s a lot to talk about. Join in!

Thank you to the Bedford Katonah Patch for this story.  Log in and join their discussion groups on this and other interesting topics.