Are Your Kids Spending Too Much Time Online?

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Determine If Your Child Is Spending Too Much Time Online

The Internet is fun for kids. They can play games, find answers to questions, create pages to share with others and they can chat with their friends. The Internet can be a very enriching experience for them but it also can become a problem if they are spending too much time online. Here are some questions to ask yourself, to determine if they are spending too much time online and if the Internet has become an overwhelming force in their lives.

If you answer yes to many of the questions, you may want to seek professional help to evaluate the situation. These questions are only a guide to determine if there is a problem with Internet addiction.

Has the Internet become an overwhelming force in their lives?
If your child has stopped doing other activities and act as though they must get to the computer, then it could be an indicator that there is a problem. For instance, if you ask them to do a favorite activity (such as go to the movies) and they would prefer to be on the computer, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Has your child stopped socializing with their group of friends and started just socializing online with new friends?
If your child has dropped their friends for new online friends, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Is your child only socializing online?
Do they have friends that they share time with in "real life"? If they are no longer hanging out with their friends and are only chatting with people online, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem. Although the Internet is a great place for shy people to communicate with others it shouldn't replace face-to-face interaction.

Have they stopped other activities?
If they are spending all their time online and not doing other activities such as sports or hobbies that they used to do, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Has there been a change in their personality?
Of course change in personality somewhat comes with being a teen, but if a change in personality has come the same time as the frequency of Internet use, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Has your child stopped spending time with other family members?
If the Internet has become such an overwhelming force in your child's life and they have stopped spending time with other family members, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Have their grades started dropping since they started going online?
If their grades have dropped when Internet usage increased, then this could be an indicator that there is a problem.

Remember that any activity should be done in moderation. If they are only spending time on the computer and doing nothing else that a child their age should be doing, you should consider seeking professional help.