In this day and age it is essential that young children know how to use a computer because they are so much a part of our lifestyle and employment options, but it is equally essential that you and your child use the computer responsibly. In fact, if you’re not careful, computer use can have a negative effect as children miss out on other important aspects of learning.This extends into the classroom where, according to “Clicking with Children: Experts Speak” at PBS.org, teacher or parent interaction enhances the children’s computer time. This ensures that the computer is useful instead of just another chunk of time spent in front of a screen.
Lack of Social Interaction
Playing games or learning can be a solitary activity, and children need to learn to interact with one another. While some alone time is also necessary, make sure your child isn’t spending hours alone at the computer, even if he seems to enjoy it. Instead, work on the computer with him, or have a sibling or friend work on the game or project together to add a new dimension to the computer. In fact, the National Association for the Education of Young Children suggests two children working at a computer together encourages more interaction than some other non-computer activities.
Lack of Exercise
Children who spend a lot of time in front of screens can be overweight due to less activity. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children need at least 60 minutes of activity per day and television and computer games take away from that time. The Weight-control Information Network, or WIN–a part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases–suggests limiting your child’s time in front of the computer, or to use computer time as an incentive for your child to take a walk, ride her bike or play a game of tag in the yard. Using a computer instead of getting physical activity can lead to weight gain.
Physical Complaints
Too much time spent in front of a computer screen can cause eye, neck and back strain in children. Adjust your children’s chairs and computer tables so that they are sitting appropriately and not straining their young necks to see the screen. Young children need to be monitored on the computer too, because they will stare at the screen without blinking, causing eye strain.
Inappropriate Content
A predator may be able to stalk a child via the Internet. Additionally, it is possible for your child to accidentally click on an inappropriate link or get to a website of which you wouldn’t approve. Children can be savvy on the computer and can click on your browsing history as well as ads that appear on the page, which may take them to commercial sites that are age-inappropriate. Also, a determined child can find just about anything on the Internet if the computer has no security or privacy settings. There are safe sites for children, and you can enhance that security by policing your child’s activities on the computer as well as having the computer in a public room in the home.
About this Author
Erin Monahan is an author and editor with 25 years experience. She has written on a variety of topics including celebrity interviews, health reporting and parenting. Her work has appeared in daily newspapers and national magazines, including “Wondertime,” and on websites such as Kaboose.com. She was recently named one of the top writers in Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simmons College.
