However, there are still many different safety concerns you must consider when allowing your child to have access to the internet. Most browsers and internet-based programs have parental controls that allow you to directly monitor and control your child’s activities. With these controls, you can guide your child to only have access to specific content.

The absolute best way to ensure that your child uses the internet in a safe and educational manner is through direct supervision. By physically monitoring your child’s activities, you can guide them to kid-friendly websites that are appropriate for their age level. Most children will be able to use the internet responsibly after being directly guided by a parent.

As your child learns how to use the internet for educational purposes, you may eventually be able to allow them to browse on their own. With the proper type of parental control software, you will be aware of all of your child’s internet activities. As they grow older, it may even be beneficial for you to purchase them a small, kid-friendly laptop to help them to develop independence.

His study revealed that “kids who were physically punished had up to a five-point lower IQ score than kids who weren’t”. The studies were made among 32 countries and in countries where spanking was applied, the average IQ was lower. Of course, the spanking effects are not visible immediately but have significant consequence on long term. A parent thinks that if he spanks his unruly children, their behavior will be better. And it will be… in that moment, but on long term is just a wrong taken measure.

Murray Straus has interviewed mothers of 1,510 children (806 kids ages 2 to 4 and 704 ages 5 to 9) and three quarters admitted of applying corporal punishment on their children. The researchers measured the initial children’s IQ and again four years later. Results revealed that children who were not spanked, scored better on intelligence test than the other ones. The differences in IQ were 5 points among 2 to 4 years old children and 2.8 points among 5 to 9 years old children.

As a conclusion, parents take good care because “the more spanking the, the slower the development of the child’s mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a difference,” Straus says.

A recent study conduct by Common Sense Media, who is a non profit organization that keeps track of children’s online activity, revealed some unbelievable statistics. They surveyed both parents and children and it seems that parents are missing important aspects when it comes about their children’s online activity.

• 49 percent of parents said their child was 13 or older before starting to use the Internet unsupervised. Just 14 percent of teenagers said they were that old.

• 23 percent of parents said their children log onto social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace more than once a day. But 51 percent of teenagers said they check in more than once a day.

• Just 4 percent of parents think their children check social networking sites more than 10 times a day; 22 percent of teenagers said they’re online that often or more.

• When it comes to “sexting,” or posting explicit photos, 2 percent of parents believe their child had posted naked or near-naked photos or videos of themselves or others. But 13 percent of teens admitted they had done that. (Source)
  

Sexting is only one worry. These children are too innocent to understand who their habits will affect their lives later. And if they are not aware, it’s your duty as a parent to straight things up. Teach your child what a healthy life online means.

Girls are invited there to talk about their passions, dreams, fears, ideas, problems etc and parents, experts, politicians, celebrities will be there supporting and listening to them. Even Mr. President Obama it’s invited to the summit. The purpose of the summit is to “examine the minds, motivation and lives of tween girls, giving them a platform to share their thoughts and opinions on a wide range of subjects, and give parents, politicians and marketers a more thorough understanding of this enigmatic and highly influential demographic.”(Source)

To read more about the summit and how to register for participation visit their official site.

Harry S Truman
“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.“

Jesse Jackson
“Your children need your presence more than your presents.“

MAD Magazine
“Teenagers are people who act like babies if they’re not treated like adults.“

John Plomp
“You know children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers. “

Robert Brault
“The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher.“

Abigail Van Buren
“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.“

Lane Olinghouse
“The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.“

Joyce Maynard
“It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.“

Chinese Proverb
“Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who tread on their toes.“

Author Unknown
“Taking time and sharing is the essence of teaching. The future of those we cherish will be a reflection of what we model today.“

And the one I like the most:
Elaine M. Ward
“The rules for parents are but three… love, limit, and let them be.“

Today many children get less free time and fewer physical outlets at school and after it. It is essential to have a daily program and to include also sport or cultural activities to make sure that your child is having a harmonious development both social and physical.

Read the study/news, here.

Parents and teachers to blame
For Mr Bakker the root cause of the huge growth in excessive gaming lies with parents who have failed in their duty of care. 87% of online gamers are over the age of 18. From that age, help is something they need to seek for themselves, because as you know parents no longer have the legal right to intervene.

For those who are younger, intervention may be the only solution. That means even sometimes literally taking a child away from a computer, removing them from the game for a period of time until they begin to see there are other choices. If parents aren`t there for them, they are more likely to isolate themselves in virtual worlds.

“This gaming problem is a result of the society we live in today,” Mr Bakker told BBC News. “Eighty per cent of the young people we see have been bullied at school and feel isolated. Many of the symptoms they have can be solved by going back to good old fashioned communication.”

At least 10 hours a day playing
George [not his real name] is an 18-year-old gamer being treated at the Keith Bakker`s clinic in Amsterdam. He was spending at least 10 hours a day playing Call of Duty 4 until he sought help at the centre.
“Call of Duty was somewhere I felt accepted for the first time in my life,” he says. “I was never helped by my parents or my school. At the clinic I also feel accepted and have come out of myself.”
Read more about George`s case, here.

More posts about this issue in blogoshere.