Monitoring your Children's computer time is important for many reason in the age of electronic stimulation, but how does one do so without stressing the whole house out?

Set up a specific time when they can use it, if for fun purposes, after homework is done, you can set a timer next to the computer in 30-60 increments. When you have more then one child, this also cuts down on the arguments and who went into who's time.

Decide how many days a week you want your child on the computer, if possible let them pick the days and write it on a chart.

Many online clients allow parents to monitor any emails, sites, chats, blogs and Instant messaging. Use these! Know your child's password and make sure to talk to them about the dangers of sharing information online. You'd be surprised at how even the simplest of information can tell you loads about someone.

The computer can be a scary place if placed in the hands of an unsupervised child, filled with many not so nice people, even their video games are filled with profanities and violence, so be sure to check the rating before buying or downloading. Block any sites that may contain questionable content. Make sure programs are age appropriate.

Do an activity that allows you to stay in the same room as your child, this will help you to know what sorts of sites your children visit firsthand, and you can also ask them about the places they visit, most children love to share time with their parents and love to know their parents are interested in what they do.

Staying on top of the situation will provide your child with an enjoyable computer time and make it less stressful on you, the parent, by not worrying about what they do or who they talk to online. Monitoring their time is simple, stick to it, they will fall into a routine. Add time if they do something positive, take away time if they get in trouble. Let them know the computer is a privilege and they have to be responsible when working on it. A little time and effort will go far.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Aikman.
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