Protect your kids from the computer!

Tip of the hat to Sheryl of papernapkin for pointing out that tomorrow starts PC Turnoff Week in the interest of imagining what our children could do if we turned off the computer for a week.

Hmmmm. As a parent, I'm thinking I should be concerned about this. Excessive computer use, according to the PC Turnoff site, contributes to:

* Lower grades in school
* Weight problems
* Social isolation
* Attention problems
* Stress filled family life

Sounds dangerous! I think they've been talking with the people over at the Parents Television Council!

Except, um, I happen to think that excessive anything can cause those problems. Kids shouldn't be allowed to sit and stare at a computer, or a television, or a video game, to the point where those things happen. Heck, I don't even think they should be allowed to stare at a book for so long if they're becoming fat and isolated. But you don't see me founding the Concerned Citizens Against Bookwormery For Kids or anything.

Things like this... you can call me crazy, but I feel like they demean our intelligence as parents. Do we need a special week to figure out that we should talk and play with our kids rather than letting them become zombies?

(That's not even addressing the issue that these people seem to believe I actually share my computer with my kids....)

What do you think, fellow parents? Great idea? Dumb idea? Will you be putting the kibosh on the computer this week?

Mir

BlogHer Contributing Editor Mir also blogs at Woulda Coulda Shoulda and Want Not.

Submitted by Mir Kamin (view blog

) on Sun, 06/25/2006 - 22:50

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Mommy & Family

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I also hate being labelled an idiot

As a parent of two boys, we will not participate in things like "no screens week." I tried it once and quickly realized that my kids didn't need the restriction. My oldest loves his Game Boy and cartoons as much as the average kid, but he plays outside and reads every day. He has a good balance of activity and socially, he is wonderful. As for the computer...it's mine, all mine!

--
Troll Baby

Troll Baby Graphics

Submitted by Karen Rani on Mon, 06/26/2006 - 04:15

Mommy's computer

My kids don't know that computers are for kids, too. I do have some friends who let their toddlers "play computer," but I prefer toddlerhood to be filled with soap bubbles and Sesame Street.

However, when they do have computers I could see making Sunday night (or some other arbitrary) day/night "computer free/family game night" or something cute like that. But a whole week? I'm not that crazy.

Mary
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Mommy & Family
Mom Writes

Submitted by Mary Tsao on Mon, 06/26/2006 - 19:10

Family game night

Mary,

One of my fondest memories from childhood was Saturday nights. We'd move the TV near the kitchen, tune to the Saturday Nights at the Movies (OK, so I'm aging myself. No surprise there).. and all six of us would play Monopoly or cards until we were all punchy! Definately when the kids are a bit older, have a family game night!

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Submitted by debra roby on Mon, 06/26/2006 - 21:31

Great memory, Debra!

My husband's already buying games in anticipation of this so I expect we definitely will have game night. Thanks for sharing how special it was for you and your family.

Mary
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Mommy & Family
Mom Writes

Submitted by Mary Tsao on Tue, 06/27/2006 - 15:29

T.V.-Free Tuesdays

During the school year, we turn the TV off on Tuesdays. Sometimes we play games together, but not always. The nights we don't have a plan, my kids get a chance to rediscover their toys and books.

Our kids are becoming interested in the internet and we're having to make some decisions about how to manage their online time. It's a new problem for us, and one we didn't have the opportunity to witness our own parents handling correctly or incorrectly. These are uncharted waters for us.

cool beans
T.V.-Free Tuesday

Submitted by coolbeans on Sun, 08/06/2006 - 19:50