| While the World Wide Web expands, more | | | | Those who enjoy cartoons on television |
| and more individuals are getting online | | | | will love the games that focus around |
| for all of their necessities and for | | | | these topics. And, you'll find many |
| their enjoyment. Online games are just | | | | games that do. Online games like these |
| one of the many different ways to enjoy | | | | can help with motor skills and computer |
| the internet. But, there is a newer | | | | usage skills. But, why not teach them a |
| trend happening right now. Instead of | | | | little by getting them into a different |
| just throwing our attentions to online | | | | type of game, one that will challenge |
| gaming atmospheres, we can also allow | | | | them. For example, word puzzles and |
| our children to enjoy the wider world of | | | | just puzzles in general can stimulate |
| entertaining online. But, is it safe? | | | | the mind in many ways. Or, teach them a |
| And, even if it is, should we allow our | | | | little history with a program like |
| children to be using online gaming at | | | | Oregon (or Amazon) Trail in which they |
| all? Is it any better than them sitting | | | | need to survive a treacherous trek |
| in front of a television? | | | | through the wilderness. Even older |
| Many parents simply do not have the time | | | | children can benefit from the "Sim" |
| to monitor all the activity their | | | | games as well. The less violent ones |
| children are having online. All parents | | | | are better because they teach your |
| need to know that there are many | | | | little entrepreneurs to use many skills |
| predators online that are seeking out | | | | to build cities, buildings, |
| our youngsters. But, there are ways to | | | | companies...you get the idea. |
| prevent them from coming near to our | | | | When it comes to allowing teens online, |
| children. For example, in online gaming | | | | you really need to allow at least some |
| rooms, you can easily disable chatting | | | | online time. At that age, they are into |
| and interaction. You can also disable | | | | communicating with their friends through |
| instant messages as well. Yet, an even | | | | email and instant messages, but |
| more effective manner for protecting our | | | | interactive games are very popular. |
| children while they are online is to | | | | Competing against friends is a definite |
| simply keep the computer they will be | | | | need that many kids have. Is it any |
| using right in the living room, the | | | | worse or any better than a Playstation |
| kitchen or in any area that is open | | | | or Xbox system? Probably not, but at |
| where you can see what's going on just | | | | least they are interacting with others. |
| by turning your head. When parents are | | | | And, you can somewhat monitor their |
| aware of what is going on while their | | | | actions or limit their internet |
| children are online, they can keep their | | | | exploring when you provide them with |
| children better protected. And, it's | | | | what many ISP's are offering and that is |
| never too soon to talk to your children | | | | parental controls on accounts set up |
| about stranger danger even on the | | | | just for kids. |
| computer. | | | | So, where does that leave us and the |
| Okay, but what about the gaming? Should | | | | online gaming world? Should children be |
| we allow our children online to play | | | | allowed online? Yes, we believe that |
| games? | | | | kids of all ages should at least have |
| It is important to break down some age | | | | the opportunity to learn how to use the |
| levels here. For children who are | | | | computer. It is an essential skill. |
| young, it is essential to allow them | | | | But, what about playing games? Yes, |
| time to learn about computers, but you | | | | they need this too. In a safe |
| need to do it in a one on one situation. | | | | environment, there are few other places |
| In these cases, there are many games | | | | that you can play so many games for a |
| that are actually quite beneficial for | | | | low cost. They can learn from them as |
| them to play. Many games can teach | | | | well. You can monitor just what they |
| reading skills, math skills, and many | | | | are doing. If you are a parent trying |
| other aspects of learning. And, because | | | | to figure out where you stand with your |
| it is fun, kids simply love to do it. | | | | children being online, consider it a |
| They enjoy the colors, the sounds, and | | | | learning experience to allow them to |
| the idea of playing with Mommy or Daddy. | | | | surf with you, even if it's just once. |
| It's a great time for some bonding as | | | | Then, you will be able to see just what |
| well. | | | | is out there to offer your children and |
| Then, we can look towards the older age. | | | | how well they enjoy it. |