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Addiction and PCs

I am concerned about my child getting addicted to the PC.

I agree that the interaction we have with a piece of software can be addictive - you get a lift because you had some fun and then want to repeat that experience. But limit the amount of time on the PC and make it a treat - just like McDonald's or sweets. And most of all, ensure that the software you buy has some kind of educational content, preferably with plenty of interactive activities!

Research is actually showing that families who use a PC communicate more rather than less! It's difficult to use a PC in a family area and NOT communicate about the fun things you can find out. But this means that PCs are not something to hide away in a bedroom - it's a similar experience with TV.

Parents decide on a daily basis what their children watch on TV and for how long.

For example, in our family, we chose to watch only taped videos of children's programmes (to avoid seeing violence in inappropriately targetted advertising) until my child was at school. This also meant that we chose the time that we watched (usually that 'dip' time around 4pm - so I could sit down and have a rest whilst also having a cuddle with my son!).

We still restrict watching TV to a few carefully-chosen programmes which are on immediately after school as a sort of chill-out time. We restrict the use of the PC in a similar way.

The debate is similar to that which has gone on for some years about watching TV - and that's a lot more passive than using a PC. Just remember that YOU are in charge! Good luck!


Read more about Internet Addiction Disorder at the surgerydoor.co.uk
The psychology of cyberspace
Addiction.org
Internet Addiction website
Self-tests
Virtual Addiction
or is the concept of internet addiction just another urban legend?
Is the internet addictive or are addicts using the internet?


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