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What's Happening Next Door?
Establishing Internet Rules for Home and Away
By Laura Paul
"In my opinion, it's way out of hand," McDonough says. "There is not enough parental regulation. I think the video games and the TV shows are way beyond the boundaries of what is healthy for children."
Her advice is to keep children involved in social groups and athletics instead of allowing them to sit and play computer games or watch television. It might sound old-fashioned, but get them to go outside and play, she says. "Any organized activities the kids can get involved with is better than hours of television, such as scouting, church activities, youth activities, karate, any type of lessons," she says, adding community recreation departments are wonderful resources for children.
Young children may be traumatized by early exposure to pornography or violent video games. It's not unusual for children who find regular access to pornography – which is easy to do without parental controls on the computer – to become addicted to porn.
Parents may protect their children when they are visiting friends by talking to the friends' parents and making sure the activities are supervised. Also, experts suggest keeping children involved in planned activities that involve true social interaction, not just staring together blindly at a computer screen. It takes more effort to engage children in athletic games, games and activities, but in the long run, it's worth it.
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