By Finding a Balance
EDI 17 Psychology and Development of Adolescent Students
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March 18 , 2010
When I was an adolescent, media and technology were my rewards. Throughout middle school and high school, I had a very busy schedule; school, homework, music lessons, softball practice, and extracurricular clubs/activities left me with little time to spend watching TV and using the computer.
I always looked forward to the time I could just relax and watch TV or play on the computer. I viewed TV and computer time as my reward for accomplishing all of my responsibilities with diligence and dedication. I remember how I felt when my homework was finished and I could get into my pajamas and relax for a little while before going to bed. I cherished the time I could watch a favorite TV show or talk with friends on the computer after a long day.
For many adolescents today, media and technology have become their focus; many neglect their homework, their interaction/communication with family members, and their other activities/responsibilities because of the increasing amount of time they spend watching TV and using the computer. For me as an adolescent, TV and the computer were enjoyable diversions after I completed my responsibilities for the day. I always enjoyed my free time because I felt that I had earned it. I believe that the best way for parents to ensure that media and technology do not have a negative influence on their adolescents is to stay actively involved in their children’s lives.
I strongly believe that parents need to monitor their children’s usage of media and technology. Don’t get me wrong, I am in full support of allowing adolescents to spend time enjoying TV shows and communicating with friends and peers on the Internet; however, I believe that parents should monitor (at least initially) the amount of time their children spend in front of the TV and in front of the computer to make sure that media and technology do not come to dominate their children’s lives.
As adolescents mature into young adults, they will hopefully have the ability to regulate the time they spend involved with media and technology. For younger adolescents, I suggest that parents communicate with their children to develop a routine for TV and computer time. Some parents may put a time limit on TV and computer privileges, in which their children must earn this time through completion of chores and homework; other parents may set aside a time each day/evening/night that is TV or computer time.
In addition, I think that parents should monitor what their children are doing on the Internet: who they are talking to, which websites they are visiting, etc. Some adolescents may view this monitoring as encroaching upon their privacy, but I believe that parents have the right to establish and enforce rules and guidelines which will ensure the well-being of their children. Parents and children should communicate and work together to find a balance between media/technology time and time reserved for school, extracurricular activities, and family/peer relationships. Notes: I give permission to publish this journal using my PEN name: “Find a Balance.”
EDI 17 Psychology and Development of Adolescent Students
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March 18 , 2010
When I was an adolescent, media and technology were my rewards. Throughout middle school and high school, I had a very busy schedule; school, homework, music lessons, softball practice, and extracurricular clubs/activities left me with little time to spend watching TV and using the computer.
I always looked forward to the time I could just relax and watch TV or play on the computer. I viewed TV and computer time as my reward for accomplishing all of my responsibilities with diligence and dedication. I remember how I felt when my homework was finished and I could get into my pajamas and relax for a little while before going to bed. I cherished the time I could watch a favorite TV show or talk with friends on the computer after a long day.
For many adolescents today, media and technology have become their focus; many neglect their homework, their interaction/communication with family members, and their other activities/responsibilities because of the increasing amount of time they spend watching TV and using the computer. For me as an adolescent, TV and the computer were enjoyable diversions after I completed my responsibilities for the day. I always enjoyed my free time because I felt that I had earned it. I believe that the best way for parents to ensure that media and technology do not have a negative influence on their adolescents is to stay actively involved in their children’s lives.
I strongly believe that parents need to monitor their children’s usage of media and technology. Don’t get me wrong, I am in full support of allowing adolescents to spend time enjoying TV shows and communicating with friends and peers on the Internet; however, I believe that parents should monitor (at least initially) the amount of time their children spend in front of the TV and in front of the computer to make sure that media and technology do not come to dominate their children’s lives.
As adolescents mature into young adults, they will hopefully have the ability to regulate the time they spend involved with media and technology. For younger adolescents, I suggest that parents communicate with their children to develop a routine for TV and computer time. Some parents may put a time limit on TV and computer privileges, in which their children must earn this time through completion of chores and homework; other parents may set aside a time each day/evening/night that is TV or computer time.
In addition, I think that parents should monitor what their children are doing on the Internet: who they are talking to, which websites they are visiting, etc. Some adolescents may view this monitoring as encroaching upon their privacy, but I believe that parents have the right to establish and enforce rules and guidelines which will ensure the well-being of their children. Parents and children should communicate and work together to find a balance between media/technology time and time reserved for school, extracurricular activities, and family/peer relationships. Notes: I give permission to publish this journal using my PEN name: “Find a Balance.”
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