What are they doing for 2, 3, 4 and 5+ Hours Online??

When I first started asking kids how many hours they spent on their computer in a typical day, I was shocked by the amount of time they sat in front of a keyboard. Some kids are on as little as 15 minutes a day, while others turn on their computer as they walk in the door from school and don't turn it off until they get into bed at night. But unlike most professional adults who spend countless hours 'working' at their computer, our kids primarily use it as a social tool.

Using tools like Instant Message, Facebook, MySpace, Email, Twitter, Blogger, YouTube and others, they are just socializing with friends. OK, some have THOUSANDS of 'friends', but you get the point.

I'm a little envious that this generation doesn't have to fight with their sibblings for time on the house phone or get the riot act from their dad who was trying to get through for 2 hours before it finally rang. Is it very different from spending hours on the phone while doing your homework verses spending hours with your computer chiming everytime a friend has a quick comment or picture they want you to see. Is this really so bad for our kids?

Some parents ask me how long do I recommend kids spend online. I don't think I have a good answer for them. Personally, I think I spend too much time online, but what would I be doing with my time otherwise? That is the key question. Are they doing other things - doing their homework, playing sports, riding a bike, volunteering in the community, joining youth groups, working part-time, spending face to face time with friends and family? If the answer is not balanced, then the problem is not technology, but rather the values they are developing. Parents can put time limits on computer use, as you can put time limits on the TV, phone conversations, texting, hanging out with friends and working after school.

Don 't be intimidated by the technology, what you are really trying to deal with is integrating this new social medium into your family's life. Reach out to other parents for support and hopefully we will all reach a balance we can live with.

How much time online is too much time? Your opinion is helpful. Print this post