The Internet is thing of the present and everyone is practically on it. However, this shouldn't be the reason why you'd allow your teen to wrap her world around it. Here's some helpful advice.
The Internet can, indeed, be addicting. Once you’ve logged on, there’s a small chance you’ll ever want to leave. The Internet has been very effective in providing opportunities a lot different from the real world. Online, you can connect with people from other countries with a click of a mouse and find out about the latest trends with a push of a button.
Teenagers have specifically relied on the Internet as their sole source of information. Some even depend on it for social interactions, which is why it is also considered as a hotspot for sexual predators and opportunists. You have to know how to control your teen, in order to keep her life balanced with the real world, as well as to protect her from the dangers imposed by the Internet.
1. Schedule.
You cannot expect to keep your teenager away from the Internet completely because, as much as the threats are present, the invaluable data still carry a lot of weight. Instead, give your teen one or two hours for research purposes on weekdays and another extra hour on weekends for miscellaneous Internet activities.
At best, set up a firewall and virus scanner to keep your child protected from Internet opportunists. It is highly recommended that you keep the computer in an area where other family members can monitor your teen’s online time.
2. Diversion.
Provide opportunities for your teen to enjoy the real world. Even if the virtual universe seems well-equipped and populated, the joys and excitement of real life are still incomparable. Take your teen out to nature trips or simply spend some time at the park for her to catch some fresh air and appreciate the beauty of the outside environment.
3. Assignment.
Give your teenager assignments to make sure that she doesn’t spend too much time on the Internet. Ask her to do chores daily with spontaneous ones, like letting her help you in the kitchen while you’re preparing meals. Always give her a chance to deviate from her Internet obsession by assigning new tasks.
4. Exercise.
Let your teen take up a hobby or a sport to keep fit. Tell her the consequences of sitting in front of the computer all day. Explain how fat can significantly increase, especially if she remains sedentary. Teenagers are especially mindful about their appearance, so feel free to enroll her at the nearby gym. She’ll also most likely enjoy feeling refreshed and vibrant instead of sulking all day in a lonely room.
5. People.
Introduce your teen to people her age. It may help to bring her along in some social events so she can get to know people whom she can relate with and talk to. Conversation can immediately erase all her thoughts of returning to the virtual world to chat. It’s more exciting to meet real live friends than just waiting for featureless responses from emails and messengers.
It is important that you discuss with your teen the risks involved in spending too much time on the Internet with no specific purpose. Make her aware of the bad influences that some sites may present and the dangerous individuals lurking in certain areas on the Web.
Author: Julieta Chin
No comments:
Post a Comment