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tv/computer
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Sorry ladies and gents… another tv/computer post. I do understand the tv stuff but what about the computer? We frequent forums, etc. What is the difference between tv and computer? The computer takes up way more of mine and my hubbys time than tv does. But the tv takes up way more of the kids time, simply because they aren’t allowed much puter time.
The computer can be a dangerous thing too. It requires moderation, careful consideration of time spent on it, and purposefully spending time elsewhere. I, personally, like to fast from all forms of media from time to time. It causes my flesh to get things back into perspective and it shows me how much time is necessary and how much is wasted. I try to limit the amount of time I spend on the computer (other than checking off homeschool stuff on the Organizer) when my kids are awake and needing my full attention. If they are playing or happily enjoying themselves otherwise, and if I’ve accomplished what I need to at a certain point in my day, I have no problems getting on to check the forum, my e-mail, or post to my blog.
I will admit, though, I find it difficult sometimes to regulate my time on the computer. I’ll get on to do “one quick thing”, and end up being on 20 minutes. Like any other habit, it’s one that requires our full attention to change. That’s why I have a media fast every once in a while. It really makes me focus and evaluate how I’m spending my time. And to spend some extra time with God, of course, too!
HTH,
Lindsey
I do think the computer is “screen” time as well, but for most of what I am doing on the computer and even my kids (what little time they spend on it) is not equivalent to tv watching. On the television, I think it’s constant motion before our eyes, there is often bad mixed with good, etc. On the computer, for the most part, I’m reading, participating in forums, or looking something up. I don’t play games and watch little to no videos on the computer.
All this to say, that I do watch my time with both (I actually rarely watch tv at all anymore), but I also think they are very different.
Just a quick response cause I have to go…my husband considers them both the same. I mean for the adults. He accuses me (in jest) of being on the computer as much as he is the tv, if not, more. In my house that is accurate description. He is at work all day (5-5pm) then comes home but doesn’t actually begin watching tv until about 8pm.
I have to go for now…I’ll finish up later. I like these kind of discussions:)
I would also like to add that what you’re doing on the computer must be taken into consideration too. Like Hope, we don’t play games or watch YouTube videos for fun or look up meaningless things just for the purpose of being on the computer. My kids aren’t using the computer at all yet, so it’s really just me and my husband. My husband works on computers for a living (graphic/Web design & network admin.), so he can’t help how much time he spends on them. I don’t consider his time wasted or “too much” because that’s how we pay bills and put food on the table. If your kids are interested in graphic design, Web design or want to pursue something, like photography, that would require the use of computer programs like Photoshop, then that’s completely different than wasting time on the computer playing games all day.
I think it’s Doug who has a son who’s really into video-editing or something like that. He spends a lot of time on the computer, but it’s not wasted, meaningless time. He’s persuing a passion and what could potentially be his career and how he provides for his own family someday, like my own hubby. Unless your kids are going to be film critics, I can’t think of any other profession that would require hours and hours of TV watching, like many careers require hours and hours of ProTools, Photoshop, or Dreamweaver.
Computer time can be the biggest time waster in the world, but it also has great value – it is just finding the correct balance. I allow myself some time in the morning and 10 minutes, and then another 10 at lunchtime, and then I spend varying amounts in the evening depending what I need to do. I have to check myself from time to time, because it can become time wasting – but I have one group that I am a member of and I have relatives overseas that I communicate with weekly. My daughters did not use the computer at all for pleasure until they were 16, prior to that it was for school only. Now they limit themselves pretty well. One daughter likes to make short videos and edit them, and set photos to music. She is very interested in that kind of thing, and works on it from time to time. The other likes to research animals and so she enjoys that. They are on for less than an hour a day for fun, and at their age I do not think that is excessive. They use it during the day for school, and typing essays and research and after there evening session they indulge in their hobbies. Tonight though we watched the ballet Sleeping Beauty on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are are going through a season of watching ballet and opera for music and as I love both genres I have a good collection of DVDs – we watch one a week and then they right a review or essay on what they have seen. They use photoshop and video editing things and my daughter has one dressage cd of software so she can rehearse her tests – but they don’t play games. I am a great believer in allowing imagination to work when they are young and tv and computer can be quite passive and mind numbing if utilized too often. Moderation in everything is my motto.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all three discussions on tv viewing. You all have really got me thinking. Maybe I can limit our family’s tv and computer time more. I am thinking of seeing if my husband will do game night once a week and if the kids can read to daddy sometimes. I have a 4 yr old girl and 6.5 yr. old boy. I do limit what the kids watch and how much. It is usually 2 hours per day of pbs kids and / or pre-recorded educational like nature shows or Davey and Goliath. My mother got the kids some Disney dvd’s for Christmas and I felt obligated to watch them. I was disappointed in them. Snow Paws had the phrase, “What the hek?” and my dd repeated it that same day. I am thinking of hiding them and hoping the kids won’t notice and then sell them later. So, in my opinion, tv viewing can be good or bad, depending on what is watched, just like the computer time is good or bad, depending on what you do. I really do need to sensor it more, especially the movie gifts like the dvd’s. I haven’t noticed bad attitudes after watching the tv, except as noted above with dd. But I am thinking of doing a tv fast like Lindsey said about a media fast. Maybe for a week and see if I can tell any difference in the kids’ attitudes. I think computer time and tv time are different because of the interaction. My daugher uses pbskids.org and starfall.com. She saw me sorting the garbage with plastics in one bag one day and asked if I was recycling like on her computer game. I was impressed with that. But my son is starting to ask for tv more often and I just have to keep telling him no. He asks why and I reply that he already watched tv. It is time now to do… I know I need to set a timer when I get on the computer. I was going to go to bed and decided to check the computer real quick. I have been on here too long now. And my husband is in the adjacent room watching one of his movies. He is careful what he watches when the kids are still awake. He likes Andy Griffith and Leave it to Beaver. I don’t know how helpful that was to you, but these posts are all helpful to me in managing our computer time and tv time better. Thank you. Sorry if I rambled on. I need to turn this off and get to bed now. lol.
My boys, ages 7 and almost 7, get 30 minutes a day of electronic time…TV or video games. They don’t really play computer games. If they do, it doesn’t count toward their time because it’s something I’ve assigned to them. At first, I cut them back to an hour a day. They resisted at first, but it was amazing how much they began enjoying themselves without it and I began noticing they would turn on the TV, then turn it off after a few minutes to do something “more fun” like Legos, games, etc. Then this month, I cut it to 30 minutes, and again, they’re doing great! Eventually I want to cut it out completely during the week, and only allow it on weekends. It wouldn’t be a total fast because they play video games at Grandma’s when she keeps them on Wednesdays and I do allow them to play their DS for long trips in the van, unless we’re listening to something.
My computer time has had to be cut as well. Ds mentioned to me one day that I spend too much time on the computer.
I told him he was right, so I come here and one other board for a few minutes a day. The only other work I do on the computer is related to my lending library. Dh has been supportive of my rule about TV for the boys, and he watches less in the evenings. We’re reading the Little House series right now and he’s enjoying it very much, so that’s helping him make the transition.
I told him he was right, so I come here and one other board for a few minutes a day. The only other work I do on the computer is related to my lending library. Dh has been supportive of my rule about TV for the boys, and he watches less in the evenings. We’re reading the Little House series right now and he’s enjoying it very much, so that’s helping him make the transition. Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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