7 year old and the computer?

Question

we are babysitting my nephews (ages range from 2 to 7) the oldest 7 would rather be inside on the computer while my mom and other kids are outside playing.

He comes in from outside every 10 min and ask if he can get on. He would live on computer if we let him.

Should I let him on or tell him he has to play outside and to quit asking to get on?

How long should he be on and should I let him on internet?

Answer 1

dont let him on every time he wants on... kids his age need to exercise and be outside

Answer 2

Tell him when he comes after playing out he can go on for how ever long you want him on for but tell him if he keeps asking he wont go on atall then he will accept the terms and  then you have control of the whole situation. Its good to have computer skills but also to play and keep fit and have fun.

x

Answer 3

tell him it's nice and sunny out and to enjoy it while it lasts.

Answer 4

Both my 6 and 8 year old do this, however it is with console games. I have set up rules that they know...it took them awhile to get used to, but now they know they are only allowed an hour a day to play games, they can do it in spurts or all at once, but once that hour is up, they are to do something else and will not be allowed to play games for the rest of the day. If they have homework or something, homework and chores come first.

So set up specific guidelines and rules that way they get into a routine and won't keep bothering you and they have more to look forward to then just games.

Answer 5

To much internet is not healthy. Encourage him to go outside. You can play games together. Get out some balls. If he has sidewalk chalk, you guys can play hopscottch. There are plenty of fun games to play outside!

Answer 6

Being on the computer too long for kids isn't healthy. Or maybe there is nothing outside that interests him. Do u just leave the kids outside unsupervised or do u just not interact with the children. Maybe that could be why.

Answer 7

My mom and dad think i get on the computer to much and I know I do..so I try to find other things to do. Next time he asks say "Do you think your spending to much time on the computer?" and see whathe says. Also let him know thast you think he is and that he needs to take a break from it. I hope this helped.

-Tara

Answer 8

tell him he can't all ways get what he wants and that if it's nice out he should play outside. also tell him that you'd let him know if and when he can go on and that if he asks again he will not be allowed on it.

Answer 9

treat the computer the same way you would treat a video game... give him an hour or so, then make him do something else. as for no computer time, that's ridiculous. children are more proficient on computers than many adults, as well they should be. it's more about monitoring what they are viewing and the time spent on it.... maybe you can make him research fun things to do outside?

Answer 10

too much time on the computer isnt healthy. tell him to stay outside and enjoy the fresh air for a while!

Answer 11

He does not need to be on the computer at all.

He needs fresh air and sunshine or he needs to be reading a book or catching frogs or bugs or playing baseball with friends. In any case he needs to be entertaining himself and less reliant on the computer and outside influneces to be entertaining him.

Answer 12

More and more, we are seeing youngsters getting so taken up with their computers that they become problematic. They say that “too much of anything isn’t good.” This is especially true of computers and computer games. Computers can be so much fun. These machines can be so exciting that one can become addicted to them.

What is damaging is excess. When kids (grownups too) spend hours at a time entertaining themselves in front of the computer screen and neglecting their family, their studies and even their own physical well-being, then that is hurtful.

This is exactly what is happening to many of our young people. They see their computers as more desirable than human interaction. In fact, a good percentage of computer addicts have real problems with their social skills. Since they feel a lot more at home with their computer, they tend to shy away from people and lock themselves up in their rooms and “play computer.” More and more little ones are becoming skillful with their computers and that is a good thing if they do not abuse. But kids are immature and are easily knocked off balance by the tremendous drawing power of the computer. Computer games are especially exciting. They are incredibly more fun than the traditional tire and stick toy the kids in the barrio entertain themselves with. Because of the control the young ones have over the machine, they get a feeling of power as they fight dragons and win.

When, however, the machine consumes them and they become its slaves, then that is a problem. And because of its strong allure, the problem is much more difficult to deal with.

Parents also find themselves in a bind. They realize that computer skills are the thing of the future and they want to be sure their kids are proficient in computer usage. On the other hand, they worry about abuses. They are uncomfortable when kids spend too much time with the computer. They are uneasy when their children prefer the company of the machine to that of their friends. When they cut classes to “play computer” in the mall, then they get upset and begin to think of ways to regulate computer usage. Often, it is too late. The kids are hooked and putting balance in their lives becomes a real challenge.

Children do not yet have the required discipline to measure their time with such an engaging machine. They need help from their parents, assuming their parents know what’s happening.

Putting forth a plan is one thing, enforcement is something else. Still, parents need to try to come up with a scheme that allows children to master computer skills and at the same time allows social skills to develop.

The computer will not go away. We will have to learn to live with it, but not allow it to eat up our kids.

You know what the right thing is to do!

I hope this helps!!!

Best of Luck to You!!! =)*

Thanks again for answering my question!!!