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