Maturity follows a formula," [Mark Bauerlein] wrote in the Knoxville News Sentinel. "The more kids contact one another, the less they heed the tutelage of adults. When peer consciousness grows too fixed and firm, the teachers voice counts for nothing outside the classroom. When youth identity envelopes them, parent talk at the dinner table only distracts them.
The Kaiser Foundation estimates that 68 percent of kids have televisions in their rooms. It also estimates that the total amount of time kids spend with media (in its various forms), is nearly equivalent to having a full-time job. Texting, downloading and blogging are all great pastimes, but kids also need quality time with the adults who can help guide and instruct them.
Children whose video gaming and web surfing have progressed to the point of obsession may benefit from the effective professional intervention that is available at a residential treatment program for computer-addicted teens.
Labels: technology, internet, text messaging, cell phones
Posted By: Aspen/CRC
We should also remember that as adults, we can do a much better job as examples, by knowing when to disconnect ourselves from our own techie devices.
One last thought - let's not wholesale toss out these potentially advantageous tools. They also expedite communications in an emergency, allow teens to connect to positive sites and communities, and allow for long-distance parenting of kids who are away at school.