Here are the things you should know about Internet addiction...
Internet Addiction Symptoms
There are several symptoms visible to kids with internet addictions. Physical symptoms include headaches and migraines associated with the use of the computer, carpal tunnel syndrome, backaches, neglect of personal hygiene, lack of sleep and inconsistent sleeping patterns, and dry eyes.
Psychological symptoms include inability to end the use of the computer, depression when not at the computer, neglect of friends and family, significant increase of time in using the computer, and feeling of intense happiness while at the computer.
Preventive Measures
Make sure that you place your internet-connected computer in an area of the house where you can monitor their use and not in their bedrooms where they can freely use the internet as often as they want.
Create a list of rules that specifically state the time they are allowed to use the internet and on to what purpose they can use it. Make sure you do this in the beginning to prevent uncontrollable use.
If you see signs of internet addiction, ask yourself if your kids' use of the internet affects their performance at school, relationship with friends and family, and overall health. If it does, make some restrictions on the use of the internet but don't ban the use of it.
Take time to sit with your kids when they use the internet.
Keep a good firewall program or website filtering software to ensure that your kids don't enter pornographic sites and those that contain graphic images of violence and gore. Often, kids on pre-teens and teenage years start to busy themselves browsing through these sites so if your computer blocks them, your kids will divert themselves to other much meaningful sites... well that is the theory.
Teach your kids about their responsibility and accountability on the use of the internet. These values will keep them guided on the dos and don'ts of using the internet.
And finally, act as a good example. Take note that you are seen as their role model so if they see no one to follow, any warnings, restrictions, and other forms of preventive measures will do no good.
Little Kids Getting Hurt
Children are known for lighting up the lives of everyone around them with their gentle spirits. That same gentle spirit, however, can turn quite violent when a child complains because he wants something. For parents trying to handle children affected by the all too well known I Want syndrome, the tips in this article should prove useful.
Don't think of it as cute behavior. Parents easily fall into this trap. When a child is young and they throw a temper tantrum over a toy in the store, we see it as a phase and call it cute. Most parents indulge the child so they won't die of embarrassment. This is a no-no!
Keep in mind that a childs mind learns at a tremendously rapid pace. If a child finds that throwing an awful tantrum is the way to get what he or she wants, this behavior will make itself into a deeply entrenched bad habit that only becomes harder to break as time goes on.
Give them an allowance. Children naturally think that our money is also their money, and to a certain extent they are right. We provide for their well-being by purchasing food and clothing. We pay the mortgage so that they have a roof over their heads. But this doesn't entitle them to act like we are a genie in a bottle.
Children will experience having their own money for the first time when receiving an allowance. Teach them to save their money each week. They will be truly fascinated as they patiently watch their small stockpile of savings grow until they can buy that toy theyve been so desperately waiting for.
By nature, children imitate their parents. Impulsive purchasing and other bad financial habits are sure to be copied, so have family meetings to discuss finances and make the children a part of the familys budget.
Learning that money doesnt grow on trees is a vital lesson. When parents teach their children about how saving money will work out to their own benefit, the kids get a step ahead in life. Parents can explain how saving money helps the entire family. For example, the family must save to go on vacations.
Children will always want things; its part of who they are. But they can be taught to be less greedy and share with others if parents teach them well. When children are still young and their allowance is small, let them spend their money at the dollar store.
Youngsters are a prime target of television commercials advertising the newest and best toys. When kids ask for things, telling them well see or maybe will be interpreted by them as a yes. Teaching kids to save up for such purchases themselves or to make wish lists for Christmas and their birthday can help them view money more realistically.
By applying these tips, children can be helped to understand that, though they may want everything they see, life simply doesnt work that way. Helping children to become financially responsible so early in life is a priceless gift.
Both Jonathan Sin & William Blake are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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