"His grades are
down the tubes, he skips meals and he spends
hardly any time with his friends because he's
playing internet games." - Parent.
The Internet has become an entrenched feature of our
daily life. For most people, computer and video game
use is built into their lives in a balanced and healthy
manner. But for others, this computer and video game
time is out of balance, displacing work, school, friends,
and even family - an addiction.
Kids
spend more than one hour on a computer in
a day (outside schoolwork) - more than double
that of only 5 years ago.
About
one-third of kids aged 8-18 have a computer
in their bedroom.
Only
23% of seventh- to 12th-graders say their
family has rules about computer activity.
How
to manage the Internet
Knowing what your kids are doing
on the computer and for how long is a powerful
first step in lowering the risk of addiction.
The Internet is an amazing world of action, people,
games. This is precisely why healthy limits for
kids, put in place by caring adults, are so critical.
Keep
addiction risk down
A teacher recently sent in a story
about MediaWise impact on one of her sixth grade
students:
"My #1 video game player, one who owns
and plays all the "bad" games, is
on day #19 without video games! He wants to
show the class that he isn't addicted. I congratulated
him today regarding this accomplishment and
he informed me that even when he does start
playing again, he isn't going to play Halo or
any of the really bad games! All the hard work
planning and organizing the MediaWise event
made a difference, even if only for one child!"
Our
media culture is changing how kids learn.
Together we make sure it's for the better. Donate
Now!