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