Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Parents and the Internet
I know on Tuesday we talked about our parents' reactions to our internet usage, and the generation gap that exists because our parents did not grow up in a technology age. Also, the internet is still relatively new, which could increase parental suspicion because they may be unaware of the content that is out there. But do you think that when we become parents we will be in total agreement with teens using the internet? I first thought we would probably be more comfortable with the idea since we have a better understanding of why it might be a necessity for a teenager. I also thought the generation gap would be temporary because we have lived through a technology era, and would be able to associate with whatever technology comes of the future. On the other hand, we also know all of the explicit and horrifying things one might come across from searching the web, which could make us even more strict against internet usage as parents. I was just wondering what stance you guys would take from a parental perspective or if you had any internet-related experiences that would define how you would treat your own children.
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I definitely agree that we will approach internet use from a different perspective. I think, for me, the internet has a variety of uses some good, and some not as good. I think growing up online, I personally learned a lot about how to actually use computers and download programs, etc, however chat rooms and negative information make me nervous, especially for young children and early teens. One of my main computer rules while growing up is that I could never have internet access anywhere but the dining room where my parents could monitor my internet use in a passive manner. I never really had a huge problem with this rule. I think that I would try to use an internet limiting program that scales back the internet for young people. From there I'd just like to have open communication. I don't think I'd put the internet in my child's bedroom or somewhere that I couldn't see where they were going.
ReplyDeleteI think we're definitely going to be more lenient with our kids when it comes to using the internet, but I also think that communication will be my main tool in limiting the internet. I think talking to children about negative aspects of the internet can help to instill positive uses of the internet.
I think that while guys and girls currently in their late teens and early 20s view and use the internet differently than many or most adults in their middle-age, I think that there are not necessarily always huge age-related differences. A lot has to do with willingness and comfort of the older adults in learning something new, and accepting that change happens, and is not necessarily bad. Also, I suspect that for the current college students, their perspectives may well shift toward the somewhat more careful and cautious once they are parents. Certainly, I found that becoming a parent - having responsibility over the welfare and well-being of another human being - changed my perspective on many things.
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