• Are kids spending too much time 'plugged in'?

    According to a new report kids ages 8-18 are spending every waking moment – except for their time in school – using some electronic device. Some say we should accept this as part of children’s environment, while others fear for their health and well-being. What do you think?

    Results with 26 short comments
    Total of 1,561 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

    51.4%
    Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.
    802 votes
    12.6%
    No. I agree that media is ubiquitous, so we should accept it and move on.
    196 votes
    36.1%
    Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.
    563 votes
    Display Comments:
    Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

    I believe that their use of these devices can be managed with the help of the parents.

      #1
       - mommyof2kids
       - 12:25 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
      Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

      I have 7 children and they are only allowed to play games on weekends. I keep them occupied with books, board games, cooking,& family time

      • 1 vote
      #2
       - NinaMichel
       - 1:49 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
      Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

      As a teenager myself, I would be devastaded if I couldn't be on the computer every now and then. But I'm not glued to it all the time.

        #3
         - Jennifer Gooday
         - 1:53 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
        Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

        It's the parents job to monitor media use, especiallly with younger children. If there are no limits set of course it will get out of hand.

          #4
           - Kimberly-1573454
           - 3:03 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
          Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

          Parents need to make sure that their kids keep their interpersonal and social skills honed which will better serve them in their adulthood.

            #5
             - Maleko-1182530
             - 4:54 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
            Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

            Like anything else: moderation is the key.

              #6
               - Dave in NM
               - 5:21 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
              Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

              I think the internet is ubiquitous, but highly disagree that we should just "move on." It's also not just children, but everyone these days

              • 1 vote
              #7
               - BobtheFish
               - 7:11 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
              Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

              As a college student myself, I would say that 1) do useful things online, and 2) definitely you have to budget more than most are now.

              • 1 vote
              #8
               - Kevin-907749
               - 7:25 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
              Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

              I guess it's all non profit, but why don't these groups do studies on things that we DON'T have complete knowledge of ?

                #9
                 - Sherri-272343
                 - 9:59 pm EST on Wed Jan 20, 2010
                Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

                kids can't even talk in complete sentences now...it's all one word 'text' answers-they are losing the art of conversation andwriting skills

                  #10
                   - fortunatemom
                   - 9:22 am EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                  Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

                  Writing skills have seriously declined. Use of "text language" has impacted spelling, sentence structure and clarity of thoughts in writing

                    #11
                     - Peach-478571
                     - 10:06 am EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                    Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                    If the family does a good job of socializing with their kids, they wouldn't be online quite often. For ex., taking the kids to the park to.

                      #12
                       - One Love-1
                       - 11:42 am EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                      Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

                      Yes the use of electronics should be limited, young people cannot even make change at a cash register.

                        #13
                         - redheadedmomof2
                         - 12:29 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                        No. I agree that media is ubiquitous, so we should accept it and move on.

                        I think its going to happen whether we like it or not, but we can still try to limit their useage.

                        • 1 vote
                        #14
                         - cat_me96
                         - 12:57 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                        Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                        My kids grades go down when free time is on a gadget, and up when they are busy in a play or sport. No scientific study required.

                          #15
                           - Sue-1575121
                           - 1:07 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                          Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                          My kids grades go down when free time is on a gadget, and up when they are busy in a play or sport. No scientific study required.

                            #16
                             - Sue-1575121
                             - 1:07 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                            Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

                            Unless we want to stop being human, THIS NEEDS TO STOP!

                              #17
                               - Machka
                               - 1:34 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                              Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                              Instead of limiting use - just make sure there's some offline elements to their lives as well.

                                #18
                                 - drpaige
                                 - 3:11 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                                No. I agree that media is ubiquitous, so we should accept it and move on.

                                No

                                • 1 vote
                                #19
                                 - Surtr
                                 - 5:34 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                                No. I agree that media is ubiquitous, so we should accept it and move on.

                                It is up to parents to teach moderation, but technology will become absolutely ubiquitous within all areas of daily life within 2010-2020.

                                  #20
                                   - Surtr
                                   - 5:38 pm EST on Thu Jan 21, 2010
                                  Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                                  No one gives a crap about your kids but you, parents. Don't buy them the stuff if you don't want them to have it.

                                    #21
                                     - Shumway-1576917
                                     - 2:18 am EST on Fri Jan 22, 2010
                                    Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                                    Technology will only get better,,,everyone is plugged in! As long as you have more exercise than not being plugged in is okay...Like the WI

                                      #22
                                       - Opaldaisy
                                       - 10:52 am EST on Fri Jan 22, 2010
                                      Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                                      With the parents acting like parents and managing there kids time on the numerous devices kids will not live on them.

                                        #23
                                         - ManagingMom
                                         - 4:58 pm EST on Fri Jan 22, 2010
                                        Maybe. I think it all depends on how we help our kids manage their activities and time. Keep them busy and they won’t have time to be online too much.

                                        screen time is a part of life... we should try to change what they do during it, not take it away... like something they will learn from

                                          #24
                                           - foster_zac
                                           - 12:09 pm EST on Sat Jan 23, 2010
                                          Yes. Use of electronics should be limited before our kids turn into zombies.

                                          Seven and a half hours - per day - and it's even a question of whether they spend too much time online? Mmmm, brains.

                                            #25
                                             - Liz-1136082
                                             - 5:21 pm EST on Mon Jan 25, 2010

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