Parents restricting online uses of their children.?

Question

Ok I have been hearing stories of many parents who only let their child on the internet or computer for an hour or 30 minutes a day. I have been trying to understand why parents restrict their children on so many things. I hear all this talk about parents being afraid of online predators. YES there are online predators lurking everywhere online. It is the parents job to raise their children the right way, what is taking every single thing away that can possibly hurt a child doing to them? It's making them weak.

If mommy takes takes control of a childs life they can NEVER be independant succesfully. A smart child online who knows right from wrong would easily know not to meet with someone they met online. The easy way out is to put a magnifying glass on your child that or block every single website that has contact with the outside world. There is good and bad things online but when they move out and on their own they will find these things anyway.

I grew up and I am now 17, my dad let me use the computer and the internet solo at age 8. He warned me of all the things to be carful on, and I did and I was fine. I mostly played online video games with other people from 8 and until now. I went on adult chatrooms so many times even as young as age 10 without my dad even home. Did I meet up with complete strangers? No because I was taught to not do that simple as that.

Ok now for the other subject did I look up porn? Of course I did for a while I was curious EVERY is, and if someone says they have never seen pictures of nude men or women then they are flat out lying. Is it right for young kids to look at porn? Probably not, but is it a catastrophe? No they will end up seeing it later in life and end up doing half of the porn the watch. Seeing porn at a young age does not "Scar children" only liberal teachers and hardcore parents think that.

What my real point is, kids these days are now so restricted on every little thing that their risk taking days are over. They seem to have very dull lives because their parents control every single aspect of their lives. When they get older they can't make as good decisions relying on parental control too much. I find it kind of sad I hear parents talking about fearing that their 18 year old son is in a chatroom, I think 14+ can take care of themselfs in a chat room espeically if you raised them right.

I for one think it's getting ridiculous, if you moderatly watch your kids in chatrooms I think everything should be fine as long as your have a long talk with them about dangers, even parents today think it's an outrage for children to use "Myspace" because they put in the city they live in. HELLO THEY PUT THEIR CITY NAME IN, not their phone number and address, goodluck mr pedophile searching every single household in Sacramento.

Despite what a lot of parents think, Children have wants and needs. They shouldn't be some puppet with strings on them. I see tons of parents doing the same things they say to their children thats inapropriate. Even using curse words, so a mom says watch your mouth to their kid and then when the kid says it they say they aren't allowed to say that. HELLO parents are supposed to be a role model. My point is parents are way overprotective of children now days and it's just ridiculous.

I have many people I know that in are in college, they were raised as mama's boys. I can already see that they were and it's quite sad that they don't know how to do something as simple as mailing a letter. So what if I am 17? I have first hand experience, and how do you know I don't get out much (talking to you "I Know") are you magic and can see through me?

For the people saying I want kids to run around wild and crazy, I have not said that. I said moderatly watch them, you can watch your kids while they keep some sort of freedom on them without being a complete control freak. Also for not having kids on my own, yes your right I probably don't know how you feel, but think of how they feel if they are on a 24/7 leash =/. I am not saying let them party all night at all there has to be SOME boundaries but not one that they are strapped on a bed.

In response to (Just bored) I do have friends man, I don't have a lot I admit but thats because I like quality friends not the typical teen popularity freak. I do spend a lot of time on my computer, but what else would I do? Where else would I go? Should I go out and smoke pot and drink achohol? When me and my friends want to go bowling and want to see a movie I get off my computer so quick. I do activities that are worth my time, not just loiter aroud a 7-11 doing nothing. I like to hang out with friends but I am not much with making a whole bunch of friends that half of them I rarley talk to.

Answer 1

Well it seems you assume that everyone who restricts their kids' time on the internet is worried about what they will do or see there. How about this? Kids should GO OUTSIDE or PLAY WITH REAL PEOPLE THEY CAN SEE instead of spending all their time in front of a computer, or TV, or video games, their only interaction being with someone else's created fantasy and anonymous 'chat buddies' who can lie all they want. This teaches children nothing about social interaction with PEOPLE, gets them no exercise, and does nothing for their minds. I limited my kids because I wanted them doing something other than sitting on their asses staring at pixels all the time. When my kids were young, they got 1 hour TV a day, and 30 minutes on the computer. They spend more time with both these days, but they also spend a lot of time playing with real people and reading. That's how I want it to be. When they grow up, they can sit in front of the screen 24/7 if they want to, but somehow I don't think they will.

Answer 2

From an adult point of view I must say that you are growing up very fast which isn't all bad. As far as you seeing things you shouldn't be able to, it is for your own safety. I would be more concerned about overall compulsive behavior and my children would have filters on their computers if I had children [I don't]. As far as on-line predators are concerned, I would include influences as well. Also I would consider the lost friendships children have when they spend all day on-line. You need real human interaction, just look at the people in here that are hurting for attention. Most of them probably don't even talk to their neighbors. I have an excuse I live in isolation but many of these people are looking in the wrong place for attention. You are 17 now go out and have some real fun.

Answer 3

There are some things that parents do that you will never understand until you have your own children. The thought of my child being abducted and raped by someone anywhere, not just online, is more horrifying to me than them getting hit by a car. I agree that children of a certain age can handle themselves but; not matter how you raise your child, you never can tell how they will react to this situation or that. I understand what you are saying and agree on most points but; you will never really understand why parents do what they do until you have your own kids. It's like driving with your parents when you're young and they complain about kids playing or riding their bikes in the street and youre like big deal, right? Then you start driving and then you understand why they got stressed. Do you knwo what I mean?

Answer 4

Because their parents are trying to do what they believe is right. They know they will make mistakes, but they also know they will get many things right, and this is one. The Internet is very addictive, especially things like YA.
Also, in the real world, when those children get employed the may have an advantage when they start working with computers because they are so used to doing research or whatever within tight time frames and not get distracted with IM.

Answer 5

I think it should be restricting...most kids spend all day long on the internet and video games. Plus the parents should know everything they are into. Or at least have a way to check time to time. But as they grow older, I'd give them some freedom. They are going to look up porn, they are going to flirt, just as everyone in the world has growing up. Its just curiosity...I mean back in the day, I'm sure your dad had his collection of old playboys, hahaha, well have a good one.

Answer 6

It's not putting a magnifying glass on everyhing or blocking everything that helps. It's being able to moniter and explain everything that you cannot explain or be there every waking minute. I don't care if my child sees a GAPING VAGINA, just as long as I am there to explain whether it is a good one, or a bad one. And most of the time that I am not there, it is more than likely going to be a bad one, with a predator behind it that they cannot see like I can from my experience! That's why you need to block what should not be seen without PARENTAL GUIDANCE!

Answer 7

I think when the parents want control over their children like that it is because they don't feel secure of how they raised you. Children before get on line parents should just sit down and talk about it, and let the child learn more. There is no need to have a tight grip on them.

Answer 8

Oh my god! Somone who makes sense!!!!

Im so sick of the morons who restrict the crap out of thier kids.

Theres no point, their just plain to damn protective.

You have to let a kid live. If not, they'll end up "still living with mommy" when thier 37, working at k-mart.

i Suppose it would be a good idea to restrict the useage a bit, but just time wise, so they get out and do other things... ( i just sit in this chair 24/7.... lol)

meh.

Most americans are morons, but this guy is smart, tell it like it is brother!!! w00t.

Answer 9

Letting a child run wild will lead to a young adult that has learn nothing about respect,rules,manners,control.I can just see you trying to raise a teenager like this one.Would you rather have a parent that sits with you the whole time your on the net?Or not let you have it at all? How else will you protect them?

Answer 10

By your long, long questions...I can tell that you don't get out much. Some of the last 11 years should have been spent with real human interaction...