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