[ High School and Self-Education Board ]
Posted by Kathleen on 18:37 Sep 15
In Reply to: How much internet access do you allow your teens? posted by Cheri in MI
I seem to be much more strict about this than a lot of people I know, but we do not allow our 16 year old son access to any instant messaging. He has a website on which he reviews books and movies, and he has email. He also has two online classes, so of course needs to be online for those. He has a Xanga account, but it is a place where he posts things about his interests--literature, writing, kilts, what he's doing in school, and the like.
I think IM wastes way too much time. I have seen IM conversations between several people, and they just aren't anything I want him involved in (nor does he have any interest, either). I suppose there could be legitimate reasons for it, such as studying for a test or something, but all I have seen is fluff and time-wasting.
All in all, my son spends little time online, and what time he does spend we consider to be profitable and not useless. He is pretty discerning with his friends, and he agrees with us about the internet being a possible time-waster, so it's not like we have to fight with him over any of this.
I think you are very wise to be concerned, and there are lots of reasons to limit time spent on the internet.
~Kathleen