The Screenagers
Many children today are learning to use technology to connect to friends and to learn in school. Not only are such devices widely available in schools, students owning their own computers is becoming an increasingly prominent trend. Because of this, parents must decide whether to allow their children to keep and use the computers in their bedrooms or restrict their use to common areas of the home.
Child Predators
According to the FBI, children who spend time on the Internet unsupervised are at a greater risk for child predators. Without a parent who can see the computer screen at any time, children are more likely to visit websites that are inappropriate for children as well as give out private information to people with whom they chat. Children, especially younger ones, don't understand that someone on the other end of the Internet may not act honestly with them. If you keep the computer in a common area of the home, such as the living room or kitchen, you can help protect your children and ensure their safety.
Sleep Requirements
Children need a specific amount of sleep to function properly. Although a masters degree candidate staying up late to finish his/her dissertation may be justified, younger children need to form good sleeping habits which can be hindered by having computers in their rooms. When you place a computer in your child's room, the temptation to use it at unusual times is exponentially greater. According to a study referenced on Science Daily, children who have a computer or television in their room go to sleep an average of half an hour later than those who don't have these items in their room, even though both sets of children woke up at the same time. This means that children with computers in their rooms lose about 3-1/2 hours of sleep per week compared to ones that don't.
Peace and Quiet
If your child primarily uses a computer for homework, you may be able to allow him to keep it in his room so he can study in peace away from the hustle and bustle of the household. However, if you do allow your child to use a computer in his room, it is important to install a firewall and antivirus software. A software that blocks questionable sites should also be used. Periodically, you should check the browsing history to ensure that your child is safe. If your child shows signs of hiding Internet activity or his behavior changes, it is best to move the computer back into a main area of the home or install a keystroke logger to more thoroughly track his Internet activity. Having said that, instilling good values and trusting your child will accomplish more than any combination of keyloggers and site blockers will do.
Temptations
When you allow your child unrestricted access to the Internet through a computer in his room, s/he is more likely to become distracted and do other things instead of homework. For instance, chatting with his friends or playing an online game is likely to be more appealing than finishing an English paper. For some children, the temptation of other online activities is too much to use the computer without parental supervision, especially when homework needs to be done.
Whether or not you allow your child to have a computer in his room is your own decision. Each parent must weigh out the pros and cons for his individual child. The older a child becomes, the more freedom s/he wants. As a parent, only you can determine how much freedom s/he is capable of handling while still ensuring his safety.
