Thursday, June 3, 2010

Teen Tech Use

Teen Tech Use: Too Much, Too Soon?


Psychologist Gives Advice for Parents on Kids' Tech Exposure

NEW YORK, May 25, 2010 “The Early Show”



CBS) Technology is everywhere. Cell phones, iPods, Blackberrys and computers are part of everyday life.



What does this kind of exposure to electronic media mean for our children? Are they exposed to too much, too soon?



CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller recently sat down with teens and tweens from Hackensack, N.J. and, on "The Early Show" Tuesday, shared what she found.



Young people today lead media-saturated lives. Miller spoke with ninth graders to see how much of an impact technology makes on their everyday activities.



Freshman Quanai said, "When I don’t have my phone, I feel like I’m not going to make it through the day."



The ninth graders were pretty tech-savvy, but even they admit they are sometimes exposed to too much.



In the digital world, "sexting" and "cyber-bullying" often lead to real-life confrontation.



Teens can be ruthless on sites such as Formspring.com, a controversial site where comments are posted anonymously that made headlines earlier this year when it was linked to a teen suicide.



Miller found that some of the teens feel their exposure to technology makes them more mature.



Middle-schooler Giovanni said, "It makes me experience stuff faster than I normally would, and that makes me more mature."



But Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, child and adolescent psychologist, said on "The Early Show" that, "Experience does not equal maturity."



Miller said, "These kids seem to have their technology use under control, but many admit their parents are not completely aware of their online activities."



In a world where everybody knows everybody’s business, some parents try to limit the amount of time their children spend online and on other electronics.



However, there are plenty of ways around those rules. Teens readily sneak in time to make secret Facebook accounts under names parents can't find.



Some teens justify the behavior by the old excuse of joining the crowd and fitting in with their peers.



Others interviewed by Miller say they just want to be independent and have the ability to run their own lives.



Hartstein says it’s a simple matter of communicating with your kids.



She said, "Parents need to learn what the technology is and to act as a conduit between media and kids."



Similar to teaching kids about appropriate face-to-face interactions, there should be a talk about what's appropriate for Facebook and website interactions.



Hartstein said, "If you're not going to be rude to someone to their face, don't do it on the Internet -- it stays there forever."



Hartstein discussed a recent study done at the University of Virginia showing that social media sites and digital communication are not hindering the social development of children -- they're actually helping them.



Hartstein stresses that, as long as parents teach their children to treat others with respect and to be safe, there is nothing to fret about. Also, kids need to let people know if something is happening online, because it can get out of control.



She said, "Parents need to let their kids know it's O.K. to talk to them."



Al Menconi Ministries
http://www.almenconi.com/
Al Menconi Ministries Facebook Page
Parenting help for the Internet age
Christian Parenting advice
Entertainment advice for parents
Keeping Kids Safe In the digital age
Keeping Kids Safe in the Internet age

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Great Britian Gaming Addiction

The following article is taken from a newspaper in Great Brittan, but the situation is similar in America.


Do you know what games your children are playing? How long do they play? Do you realize more than 2 hours a day or 15 hours a week is considered addiction? What are your family guidelines for the type of games and the amount of time your children can play video games? If you don’t know, how do you expect your children to know?

Summer is upon us. If you don’t have simple guidelines and encourage your children to play outside, many kids will spend the whole summer glued to their gaming console playing video games 24/7. Be proactive! Talk with your children about fair and reasonable guidelines and expectations.

If you are having problems communicating with your children, contact us today. We may be able to help you.

Our book RECONNECT: When your kids are connected to everything but you has been called “Some of the best parenting advice I ever read.” By Wayne Rice, a founder of Youth Specialties.

You can find out more about our books and materials at http://www.almenconi.com/



Gaming Addiction Grips Youngsters

Beta.lep.co.uk Lancashire Evening Post

Published on Mon May 24

A schoolboy today told of his torment after becoming dangerously addicted to computer games.

The Evening Post has discovered that a growing number of young people in the county are seeking professional help after becoming hooked on the fantasy world of console games.

Young addicts are skipping meals, playing truant from school and are even stealing money from their parents to buy the latest games.

And one expert today warned two hours of playing games produces the same high as taking a line of cocaine.

Alarming figures reveal three out of five under 16-years-old plays video games to such an extent that it is a cause for concern for health care professionals.

And in the under 10 age group, a staggering four out of five children play computer games at levels showing signs of addiction, figures obtained by addiction experts revealed.

One 15-year-old Lancashire boy today admitted that computer addiction took over his life and told how he discarded his friends, neglected his school studies and survived on junk food as he embarked on marathon gaming sessions of up to 48 hours.

Jack, who lives in Garstang, said: “Playing on my games console was all I wanted to do and it was the first thing I thought of as soon as I woke up. I would play for hours on end without even realizing the time.

“It was like it was a demon that had got inside my brain and I just couldn’t stop. If my parents tried to stop me playing, I would just flip.

“I lost touch with my mates, started doing badly at school and became an angry and aggressive person that wasn’t the real me.”

Steve Pope, a counselor and therapist who lives in Garstang, says he is seeing increasing numbers of youngsters suffering from game addiction. He said: “A lot of young people get themselves into a situation where they use video games as an escape from the world and they get hooked on the release of adrenaline it gives.

“Spending two hours on a game station is equivalent to taking a line of cocaine in the high it produces.

“It is the fastest growing addiction in the country and this is affecting young people mentally, as well as leading to physical problems such as obesity.

“It gives parents peace and quiet, but it becomes a concern when it is all the child wants to do.

“I saw one 14-year-old Preston boy who played on games for 24 hours non stop and had not eaten and was showing signs of dehydration.

“When his parents tried to take his console away, he became aggressive and threatened to jump out of a window.

“We have also dealt with children who have been skipping school and others who have been stealing from their parents to buy games.

“Computer game addiction can also spiral into violence as after playing violent games, they may turn their fantasy games into reality.

“But it is not just children who are suffering - a growing number of adults are addicted to the Internet and to sites like Facebook.

“I am working with one family where a 74-year-old grandmother is addicted to online poker, her daughter is addicted to eBay and has bought 270 pairs of shoes and her grand-daughter is addicted to Facebook.

“The poisoned chalice is being handed down through the generations.”

Mr Pope says he sees at least two children a week who play video games excessively.

One Preston mum, 49, who asked not to be named, said she bought her teenage son the game Call of Duty last year. She said: “Now that I look back on it, it’s like I went out and bought him his first shot of whisky.”

Steve says he is working with Premiership footballers gripped by computer game addiction - an issue clubs are now addressing.

“Many footballers are playing on hand-held consoles and computer games before a game and this is resulting in a natural high which is causing a chemical imbalance which is leading to them not performing their best on the pitch.

“I am the psychotherapist for Fleetwood Town and they ban their players from using any form of console for at least 24 hours before a game.”

Gayle Brewer, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, said: “Parents are fearful of allowing their children to play outside and feel that if they are inside where they can see them playing computer games, then they are safe.

“A computer game can seem like a quick way of occupying your child and because it is such a high intensity pastime, it keeps them stimulated and they are unlikely to get bored.

“It is important to find a balance. It is easier for parents if they set ground rules from the start about how long their child is allowed to spend on these types of games.”

Peter Wilson, NHS Central Lancashire mental health practitioner, said: “Whatever a person is addicted to, they can’t control how they use it, and they may become dependent on it to get through daily life.”

The UK Interactive Entertainment Association today declined to comment on the issue on gaming addiction and whether they believed it was an issue they needed to tackle.



Al Menconi Ministries
http://www.almenconi.com/
Al Menconi Ministries Facebook Page
Parenting help for the Internet age
Christian Parenting advice
Entertainment advice for parents
Keeping Kids Safe In the digital age
Keeping Kids Safe in the Internet age

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Who is Chaotic?

This is my answer to a mother who wrote me about the video game called Chaotic. She was hoping I could tell her about the game.


Al Menconi,



Dear Nancy,

I am not familiar with Chaotic.  I persued their site and found it very inviting for young boys. I can see why he wants to play it.  Since there are so many games and other entertainment enticements bombarding your son daily, I suggest you become familiar with them.

You will never be able to "hide" him from everything, so you need to teach him how to think and make wise choices on his own.  You have to do more than simply tell him WHAT to think.  He has to learn HOW to think.



Here's your chance to "climb into his world." Ask him to explain the game to you.  Take the time to play it with him for at least an hour. Don't judge him, but listen to the rules and instructions and actually try to enjoy playing with him.  He will be impressed that you still know how to "play like a kid."



He will also appreciate that you took the time to try to learn about his interests.  While playing for an hour or so, I am certain you will get the gist of the game and decide if it fits within your family's guidelines.



After playing, discuss the game with your son.  Now is the time to express SPECIFIC concerns if you have any.  If you don't have specific concerns, I'd suggest allowing him to play it as long as his game play time doesn't interfere with his other responsibilities and family obligations.



Also, children rarely know how to budget their time.  This will be a good time for you to explain how long he can play and when it is appropriate.  



Don't be threatened by his entertainment choices.  Use each as an opportunity to get to understand your son even more.  If you do this, he will welcome you into his world.  If you simply look for a reason to say, "no," you will begin to lose communication with your son.  He will pull away and become secretive.



You can do it.  It takes a little work, but he is your son.  He's worth your time.  Go for it.  If and when you run into problems or situations that overwhelm you, contact me and I will do my best to help you through them.



Have you read our books?  RECONNECT, when your kids are connected to everything but you and BUT IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME!?  I believe you will find both helpful for your situation.  They are both on our website at http://www.almenconi.com/.



In His service and yours,

Al Menconi


Al Menconi Ministries

http://www.almenconi.com/
Al Menconi Ministries Facebook Page
Parenting help for the Internet age
Christian Parenting advice
Entertainment advice for parents
Keeping Kids Safe In the digital age
Keeping Kids Safe in the Internet age