Computers fascinate young children, who, full of curiosity, long to touch the keys and that strange mouse, which makes the screen change when they press it! The truth is that from a very young age they can and do copy our use of it. However, parents wonder how close the relationship of children with computers and the Internet should be. Experts argue that, under certain conditions, children have a lot to gain from their contact with technology.
From what age
The computer and everything that appears on its screen exert a special charm on children, from a very young age. They may not yet know how to tie their shoelaces or the letters of the alphabet, but they know how to hold the mouse very well and "click" on their favorite game. So, every time, they eagerly wait for you to give them permission to open the "magic box". The advantage of using it from an early age is familiarity with the computer, which can be used as a tool for learning, searching and processing information. Your role is to help the child, as he grows up, to understand how this wonderful world works. After the age of six, the child's relationship with the Internet changes, thanks to learning to write, read and often the English language. Now, he can read the news that interests him, learn about new children's movies and theater performances, and even his favorite heroes. There are many interesting websites where he can discover a lot of information about the topic that interests him and acquire his first encyclopedic knowledge.
The pros and cons of the Internet
The benefits of using a computer - of course always with your supervision - from a young age can be many. Skills such as long-term memory, extraverbal abilities, assimilation and manual dexterity, develop at a faster pace in a large percentage of children of this age who begin to have a first contact with the computer. In addition, there is an endless amount of information available on the Internet. Thus, the child can take virtual walks in new countries, new cultures and museums around the world, while at the same time acquiring useful technical knowledge, essential for his future life, while practicing English. However, we should not overlook the fact that the Internet poses dangers, such as:
- Unreliable and uncontrolled information. The child must be properly trained by parents and teachers so that he or she is able to distinguish correct from incorrect information.
- It's easy for anyone to impersonate someone else and maintain their anonymity. They usually hide their real identity, gender, and age, which is especially worrying, since you're not really sure who you're actually communicating with.
- Your child may be tempted to make online purchases without your permission. Keep credit cards out of reach of children.
- When a child becomes isolated, neglects his/her studies and becomes antisocial due to long hours of computer use, there are signs of addiction. If you are worried, seek help from specialists. There is a similar department in Children's Hospitals.
“Yes, but under certain conditions!”
Just as you protect your children from all dangers, you must also deal with the Internet. Get involved yourself, so you know how to help them. Technology is here to make our lives easier. Some ways to deal with potential dangers are as follows:
Special programs: They filter websites and prohibit access to those containing dangerous content.
Set rules: The key to ensuring maximum safety for children in cyberspace depends not so much on the technical means you will use to supervise them, but on the very relationship you have with them.
More specifically:
- Be in communication with your child, listen to his wishes and judge with objective criteria what will benefit him and what will not.
- Ask your child to tell you what they like about the Internet, what the latest technology news is, and other things that will make them feel like they know more than you. Browse the Internet with them and let them teach you what they know
- Make sure you stay informed about the websites he uses.
- Try to get to know his "electronic" friends. Statistics from the "Eukids on line II" survey show that in most cases the child knows his friends as physical persons.
- Teach him how to use new technologies sensibly , setting limits on the time he spends with them
- Be informed. Search the Internet for the most popular sites and try to see how they work. At least when you see an address on your child's computer, you'll know what it's about.
- Make it clear to him that "we don't talk to strangers" even on the Internet. We don't give out our name, address, and phone number, we don't arrange dates, and we certainly don't send photos of ourselves. Credit cards shouldn't be on display at home and he shouldn't "share" his password with his friends.
- Ask your child every day: "Did you find anything new or interesting on the Internet today?"
- Monitor behavior . If he becomes nervous, irritable, and secretive, more extensive "investigation" is needed.
- Finally, you must remember that each child, depending on their age and the trust they inspire in you, may have a different degree of control. The golden mean between discreet monitoring and invading your child's personal space is difficult to find.
What the pan-European survey "Eukids on line II" showed
- 60% of children aged 9-16 go online daily or almost daily, but not for more than an hour.
- Children start using the Internet at young ages. The lowest average is 7 years old, corresponding to Denmark.
- Greater Internet use does not mean more problems, but more benefits.
- Only 12% of European children aged 9-16 report having seen something that disturbed them online, and in most cases it was not a traumatic experience.
- 14% of children have seen some form of sexual material, and this is not necessarily on the Internet. The experiences equally concern television, videos and films.
- 30% of children reported knowing someone online who they don't know in person.
- Most parents (70%) talk to their children about how they use the Internet.
Specifically in Greece:
Over 80% of children (9-16 years old) use the Internet, while approximately 56% of children who use the Internet do so almost daily.
*Data from the "Eukids on line II" survey, which is a program funded by the European Commission and conducted primary research on Safe Browsing and Use of the Internet, as perceived by a sample of approximately 25,000 children, aged 9-16, and their parents, in 25 European countries.
Useful Greek sites, with information and instructions for the safe use of the Internet by children:
https://www.eukidsgreece.gr/
https://www.saferinternet.gr/
With the collaboration of the Greek research team led by Dr. Lisa Tsaliki (Associate Professor at the Department of Communication and Media, University of Athens).
