Are you a parent who allows a bedroom computer for your child?
Can I ask, what part of that sounds like a good idea?
Oh, I suppose little Johnny or Jessica will be able to complete her homework assignments easier. Typing up papers is a necessary skill for any high school student in America, yes. Researching things online is also common practice today, as well.
Those uses of the computer by children are legitimate. But that is not the only use for a computer your child likely has.
When you give your pre-teen or teen access to the Internet, you are taking a risk. You are culpable for providing them an occasion of sin.
What do I mean?
THE INTERNET IS NOT YOUR FRIEND
The Internet can ruin your parenting. The worldwide web presents a smorgasbord of content and much of it is downright filthy and vial.
In short, you risk your child viewing websites that contradict your moral standards.
For instance, the porn industry has revenues in the billions of dollars. Thousands of websites are available at the click of a mouse for erotic viewing.
Little Johnny or Jessica could very easily get sucked into the world of Internet porn viewing. Is that a development you would welcome for your child?
It is not just pornography you have to watch out for.
Websites dedicated to the occult are rampant on the Web. Do you want your kid learning magic or summoning demons? As well, bad music and bad music videos remain popular on the Internet. Are you aware of what Johnny or Jessica are listening to?
This is not to say you should never allow your children onto the Internet under any circumstances. A lot of good content remains available for reading or viewing online, no doubt.
But you ought to install parental controls and supervision to better ensure the Internet is used morally by your children.
DON’T BE NAÏVE
Do not be so foolish as to think that your Little Johnny or Little Jessica would never view immoral websites. Chances are they already have. If they have yet to, wonderful. Do your best to preserve their innocence.
Given the numerous opportunities for getting into trouble online, parents would be foolish to allow a computer to be in their child’s bedroom.
Internet filtering software can be purchased or found for free. That would help tremendously, but it is not the only necessary step.
As well, parents must remove any computers from bedrooms, basements, or other secluded locations in the house. Computers ought to be placed in high-trafficked areas of the home.
Moreover, the computer screen should face the center of the room. That way it remains visible from your couch or other common areas of the home.
The same principles apply for usage of smart phones. If you have given your kids a cell phone with Internet access, then you’re begging for them to get into trouble.
Little Johnny now has a portable porn viewer in his pocket, paid for by his parents. Little Jessica can watch slutty music videos with her friends, thanks to her mom and dad.
If you allow your child to have a cell phone, then ensure it does NOT have Internet access. Yes, Little Johnny or Jessica will be the only kid in the eighth grade without a cell phone of their own, but so what?
If your child needs to call you to pick them up because soccer practice got out early, there will be no shortage of phones to borrow. But Heaven help you if Johnny and his buddies view naked women on a phone you paid for, while they wait for you to pick Johnny up.
MORE PRATICAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE STARTING TODAY
Do not be wary of constantly monitoring your child’s Internet activity either. Feel free to literally stand behind them as they search online. Watch by every couple minutes and talk to them as they poke around online.
Also, you should review the Internet history of the computers your child uses. You can see what websites have been visited. In fact, the technology is so good now, you can pay to have everything ever typed on your child’s computer to be emailed to you.
By setting that up, you can learn if your child is viewing immoral content. You can also learn if your child has usernames and passwords. If they are accessing sites you do not approve of by a password, there are steps you can take.
For instance, now that you have been given their password, you can login to his account. Once you do, you can change his password, or better yet, delete his account altogether.
Taking such steps ensures your child knows they will be held accountable for their Internet usage.
By taking these steps, you may not get any vote your child for Parent of the Year, but so what? You are trying to get each of your children to Heaven. Being your child’s friend is not part of the job description of being a parent.
YOUR TURN
Do you have any other advice for parents on this topic?
Please share any thoughts you have by leaving a comment below!
