Effects of Media to Children

Media has been a significant part of our daily life, a vehicle for communicating to the public as well as a
source of entertainment. Magazines, TV programs, radio, billboards, news, internet, cell phones are the
forms of mass media which are considered to be part of our everyday routine. Traditionally, parents serve
as primary social models for children; whereas other models may include siblings, teachers, relatives and
other persons who are significant in children’s lives. Over time, however, parents’ influence as models to
their children is on the decline as a direct or indirect result of technological advancement and alterations in
household economics. Aside from their busy schedules (which is common in dual-career and single-parent
households), families of today seem to gather around rarely because each member has easy access to his or
her own television, telephone, computer, music player, etc.. This set-up would imply that children are more
inclined to interact less with their parents and spend more time on their own. Thus, children could turn their
attention from their parents to more accessible diversions, such as television watching. Without their
parents’ direct guidance or control, such exposure can become excessive and unguarded. It would not be
much of a surprise, if what these children watch did influence their thinking and behavior. Studies
conducted by Weiten & Lloyd reported that children in the U.S. spend 2-4 hours on TV watching alone and
this habit appears to increase as they get older (Kirsh). Children and the youth are media’s darling. Media
as perceived by children is full of excitement and wonder, because it brings them to a world of reality as
well as make believe. A child development expert T. Berry Brazelton, MD., warns parents that, media is
really “the biggest competitor for our children’s heart and mind” (Steyer). Furthermore, James P. Steyer an
advocate for media organization for children, in his book regards media as “the other parent” since at
present time children spend much of their time with these different forms of media. In view of the fact that
our society is media saturated, parents should be aware of the positive and negative effects of media to
children.

Media’s positive effects are: First, its academic learning opportunities. “Over the past 30 years, shows such
as Sesame Street, Teletubbies, Barney, and Blue’s Clues have provided academic learning to toddlers and
pre-aged children. For older children, programs such as Zoom, Cyberchase, and Zoboomafoo are replete
with informative, scientific facts. For pre-teens and teenagers, cable channels such as The Animal Planet,
The Discovery Channel, and The Learning Channel offer a wide range of educational fare”(Kirsh).
Children that are exposed to educational programs are more likely to adopt to what they are watching , to
cite an example children(toddlers) from a non-english speaking country that are expose to shows like
Barney are able to learn to speak English although with improper grammar. They learn to communicate
with the English language and by the time they attend school learning grammar will be easier for them. The
same is true with older children, programs shown in the National Geographic Channel, The Animal Planet
and Discovery Channel and articles written in their published magazine as well as their websites help them
to learn and see what a certain animal looks like, see and explore places that are impossible for human to go
to and visit places that are overseas. These educational programs help them to visualize places and animals
as well as further explain theories that are learned in the classroom.

http://www.ukessays.com/essays/childcare/media-children.php

Computers - Possible Negative Effects Of Computer Use, Possible Positive Effects Of Computer Use,
Developmentally Appropriate Uses Of Computers

Read more: Computers - Possible Negative Effects Of Computer Use, Possible Positive Effects Of
Computer Use, Developmentally Appropriate Uses Of Computers
http://social.jrank.org/pages/156/Computers.html#ixzz13HtSYkwW

Computers are ubiquitous. As computers have become less expensive they have been purchased by more
and more families for their homes. Because of this, many children begin to use computers at an early age.
Even if computers are not available in their home, children almost certainly will begin to come into contact
with computers in school.

Some adults are amazed by how readily young children use computers. Many children find that using
computers gives them a sense of power and accomplishment. And, unlike many adults whose first or
primary contact with computers is work related, most children first use computers for entertainment
purposes and games. This is by no means the only use that children have for computers. Children also use
computers for accessing information, as well as for writing stories and research papers.

In addition, children use a variety of learning programs, which either seek to teach or reinforce basic skills
in math, language, reading, and other subjects. Other software allows children to draw pictures or create
visual works of art and self-expression. Communication with others is growing as an application of
computers by children, particularly as more homes and schools gain access to the Internet. As computers
continue to become more powerful, increasing numbers of children are using computers to create
multimedia presentations and even web sites that include pictures, text, audio, and even video.

Because computer use is promoted in schools, and because computers are so ubiquitous,
children have a great deal of exposure to them. Not everyone, however, is comfortable with the use of
computers by young children. Some, including the Alliance for Childhood, have called for a halt to the use
of computers by young children. Such groups cite the costs as well as possible health effects that using
computers may have on children. The true impact that early computer use has on children is uncertain.
Even though there is not enough information to state authoritatively that computers have any negative
effects on children, the possible adverse effects that have been cited are serious enough to warrant
consideration.

Conclusion

Children can use computers in effective and positive ways. Positive uses of computers by children are
developmentally appropriate and can reinforce the attainment of desirable skills and traits such as math
mastery, verbal language use, and cooperation skills. Computers, however, can also be used in ways that
may be harmful to the child. Possible harmful effects from computers, such as repetitive motion injuries
and eyestrain, most often stem from overuse of computers and use of computers that are positioned
inappropriately for children. If children are to use computers, they should be taught to limit their computer
use to reasonable lengths of time. They should be supervised appropriately while using computers in ways
that might expose them to inappropriate material or practices.
See also: COMPUTER LITERACY; INTERNET

Bibliography

Armstrong, Alison, and Charles Casement. The Child and the Machine. Beltsville, MD: Robins Lane Press,
2000.

"Children and Computer Technology." Future of Children 10, no.2 (2000). Available from
http://www.futureofchildren.org/cct/; INTERNET.

Cuban, Larry. Teachers and Machines. New York: Teachers College Press, 1985.

"Fool's Gold: A Critical Look at Computers in Childhood." In the Alliance for Childhood [web site].
College Park, Maryland, 2000. Available from
http://www.allianceforchildhood.net/projects/computers/computers_reports.htm; INTERNET.

McCain, Ted, and Ian Jukes. Windows of the Future. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2001.

Papert, Seymour. Mindstorms. New York: Basic, 1980.

Papert, Seymour. The Children's Machine. New York: Basic, 1993.

Papert, Seymour. The Connected Family. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet Press, 1996.

Van Scoter, Judy, Debbie Ellis, and Jennifer Railsback. "How Technology Can Enhance Early Childhood
Learning." In the Early Connections [web site]. Portland, Oregon, 2001. Available from
http://www.netc.org/earlyconnections/byrequest.html; INTERNET.

Brian Newberry

The Internet, for children and adults alike, has emerged as a hugely important communications medium.
Children now use the internet to help with homework (in good ways and bad), to play games with people in
other countries, to instant message, email, chat with other people in chatrooms and a whole host of other
activities.

Children in their teens routinely use the Internet to perform tasks that you, as a parent, did at the library and
using a phone, paper and pencil when you were their age. Children need the skills, which can only be
acquired with some practice, making it undesirable to totally restrict Internet access. The good news
therefore is that Internet access is becoming widespread in the UK, with the take up becoming more
widespread amongst children and teenagers than adults.

Children's access to the internet has grown rapidly. Below we discuss how children access the internet and
what they do when they are on-line. Other articles discuss the risks and what can be done to minimise them.
 What Percentage of Children Use the Internet?
A comprehensive report of internet usage by young people in the 9-19 year old age range by the London
School of Economics (UK Children Go Online) found the following:

• 74% have internet access at home

• 98% have access somewhere
• 24% have broadband at home
• 22% of boys and 19% of girls had internet access in their bedroom
• 24% rely on school as main source of internet access

At home it was found that less than half of the computers were located in a public place.

How do Children Use the Internet?

Most young people access the internet for limited periods of time, on a frequent basis, with 40% being
daily users. Of these daily users, 19% spend up to 10 minutes on line and 48% between 10 minutes and one
hour.

Of the 84% of young people that access the internet on a weekly or more frequent basis most used it for
searching for information or helping with homework. Below is a list of activities performed by children on
the internet ordered by popularity.

• Obtain information on things other than school work (94%)

• Help with school work (90%)
• Send and receive emails (72%)
• Play games online (70%)
• Send and receive instant messages (55%)
• Download music (45%)
• Look for information on careers and further education (44%)
• Look for information and shop online (40%)
• Read the news (26%)
• Chat rooms (21%)

Among the 12-19 year olds who go online on a daily basis 21% admitted to having copied work from the
internet and handing it in as their own.

How do Children Access the Internet?

Children can access the internet via a number of means with 71% having home access primarily through a
computer, 38% via a mobile phone, 17% via a digital television service and 8% via a games console.

http://www.safekids.co.uk/ChildrenInternetAccessUsage.html
HOW DO KIDS USE THE INTERNET?

Adults often assume that their children use the Internet in the same way they themselves do. But the truth is
that, while we shop, bank, and catch up on the news online, kids are gaming, downloading homework help,
and just plain socializing. It’s important to understand your child’s Internet habits.

Why Do Kids Surf?

Where Do Kids Surf?
How Often Do Kids Surf?

Why Do Kids Surf?

Children use the Internet in different ways and for different reasons, depending on their age and particular
circumstances and interests. Although children as young as two or three can be introduced to the computer,
many kids are about seven or eight when they begin to enjoy the Internet on a more practical level, through
activities such as searching online encyclopedias, downloading pictures for school reports, or writing to pen
pals.

Young adolescents can benefit from more-sophisticated Web resources, accessing everything from the
Library of Congress’s collection to magazines and newspapers to archives from around the world. Older
adolescents find the Internet a rich resource of information about job opportunities, internships, and
colleges; software tools to create multimedia reports; and specialized help with foreign languages and other
school subjects.

Parents should be aware, however, that, whereas most adults use the Internet primarily for work-related
activities, adolescents in the U.S., in general, use it primarily for entertainment and socialization purposes.
For them, the Internet is both a popular communication tool, like the telephone, and a familiar community
environment, like the mall or a movie theater, where kids can develop their identities, join youth
subcultures, relieve boredom, or cope with emotional issues or other personal concerns.

back to top

Where Do Kids Surf?

If you want to protect your child against Internet threats, you must remember that kids can reach the Web
from many places. Home, school, and public libraries are perhaps the most common, but there are other
locations as well:

• At a friend’s house, where rules and supervision might not match those at your home.

• Internet cafes, which are open to anyone willing to pay the hourly access fee.

• Museums (especially those with after-school or weekend programs), which operate under less
stringent rules than do libraries or schools.

• After-school programs and other community-based programs.

• Commercial establishments that provide Internet access, such as coffee shops, department stores,
or fast-food restaurants. (Some establishments provide access free to anyone with the proper
equipment, such as a laptop with wireless connection.)
 back to top

How Often Do Kids Surf?

In one survey, more than 76 percent of kids said they had used the Internet in the week before being
interviewed, with an overall average use rate of three to four times a week. The time spent online was an
hour or less for 61 percent of the kids interviewed, with another 26 percent spending one to two hours
online on a typical day.

http://www.nap.edu/netsafekids/inter_kids.html

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet

Ten years ago, the Internet was practically unheard of by most people. Today, the Internet is one of the
most powerful tools throughout the world. The Internet is a collection of various services and resources.
According to Russ Brock, a director and consultant at the Center for Innovation and Inquiry, the
InternetЎЇs main components are E-mail and the World Wide Web (Cohen n.p.). Ў°ThereЎЇs a lot more to
the Internet than E-mail, search engines, celerity web sites, up-to-the-second sports scores, and chat rooms
full of risquЁ¦ discussions. The Net also ranks as one of todayЎЇs best business tools - if itЎЇs used
adroitlyЎ± (Eckhouse 184). Almost all households contain the Internet; however, before people connect to
the Internet, they need to be aware of its disadvantages and advantages.
Many fear the Internet because of its disadvantages. They claim to not use the Internet because they are
afraid of the possible consequences or are simply not interested. People who have yet connected to the
Internet claim they are not missing anything (Thomas, Ў°Not EveryoneЎЇsЎ± D3). TodayЎЇs
technological society must realize, it is up to them to protect themselves on the Internet (Aspinwall n.p.).
Ў°Half of U.S. adults, or 94 million Americans, arenЎЇt onlineЎ± (Thomas, Ў°Not EveryoneЎЇsЎ± D3).
Children using the Internet has become a big concern. Most parents do not realize the dangers involved
when their children log onto the Internet (Ў°Children and the InternetЎ± n.p.). When children are online,
they can easily be lured into something dangerous. When children talk to others online, they do not realize
they could actually be talking to a harmful person (Clayton n.p.). As a result, there have been many cases
where children have been convinced to meet people they have talked with online. In fact, Ў°stories seem to
come out every week: a child or teenager lured into something foolish, dangerous, or even deadly on
lineЎ± (Weise D4). Cathy Cleaver of the Family Research Council claims that it is against the law for a
molester to even attempt to find children online (qtd. in Weise D4). In addition, children may also receive
pornography online by mistake; therefore, causing concern among parents everywhere. Whether surfing the
Web, reading newsgroups, or using email, children can be exposed to extremely inappropriate material.
Pornographic sites tend to make sure they are the first sites to be listed in any search area; thus, children
come across such sites easily. A man from Pearl, Mississippi was arrested in 1996 for downloading
pornographic images of children from the Internet. He was charged with 290 counts of child pornography
(Pettus F1). Some critics say that parents are responsible for their own children on the Internet because
there are available services to protect children. To keep children safe, parents and teachers must be aware
of the dangers. They must actively guide and guard their children online. Parents should talk to their
children about what is online and what might happen online, claims Howard Rheingold, writer of
http://essayinfo.com/sample/essay/71/

Essay topics, essay writing: Children And The Internet - 680 words

Children and the InternetMany children nowadays use, or at least have access to the internet. But most
people are blinded by all the benefits of the internet, and fail to notice any of the problems that can come
from overuse. Since the internet is a new technology, not many studies have been done to determine how
beneficial or detrimental it can be to children. Although the internet may have many benefits to children, it
can also be very harmful to them. One of the most obvious problems with children using the internet is the
chance of getting addicted.

Internet addiction is a serious thing, but hasn't drawn much attention due to the fact that it is a newer
problem in society. Children that have grown up using computers will naturally be more susceptible to
getting hooked on the internet. Many children spend more time on the computer than they spend watching
television. Most of the time children spend on the computer can be attributed to the internet. This computer
overuse results in less time for children to study, do homework, read, exercise, or participate in any out of
school organizations. Such a pattern will eventually affect the child's grades, health, and social life.

Spending too much time on the internet isn't the only problem that children can encounter. The content
which children access on the internet can be harmful as well. There is no regulation of the content on the
internet. Children can access information about pornography, racism, anarchy, and more. Many criminals
have been noted to regularly use the internet to access harmful information, which can just as easily be
viewed by children. Parents can't tell what information their children have been accessing, and there is no
way to censor all vulgar material from their computer.

Not only is it difficult to monitor what information children access on the internet, but whom they talk with
as well. There are often stories in the news about people getting arrested for trying to meet with underage
children whom they met on the internet. Even if a child has good intentions, they can always come across
the wrong type of people, while parents are practically helpless. Possibly one of the things that can be the
most detrimental to a child's future is their loss of social interaction. Chatting over the internet can slowly
begin to replace the important interaction with friends and family. Many children go straight to their room
once the get home from school, and only come out to eat and use the restroom.

Eventually the children grow apart from their friends because they would rather chat on the internet than go
out on a Friday night. Even though going out on Friday nights may not be the best way for a child to spend
their time, face to face interaction with other people is something essential for all children to be
comfortable with. If a child loses these social skills because of the internet, it can be very harmful for their
future. How will they expect to make a good impression during a job interview, if they aren't even
comfortable socializing with friends? In some cases, children spend so much time on the internet, they don't
even communicate with their family. Quality time with family is very important for a child's mental
growth, and overall well being.

In conclusion, there are many obvious benefits to children using the internet, but one should carefully look
at the hazards of children using the internet as well. If parents insist on having a computer with internet
access in their homes, they should be aware of the potential dangers that come with it. A good way to help
monitor what your child does on the internet is to have the computer in an area of the house where you can
observe the child using it. There are many other ways to help keep children safe from the dangers of the
internet, and parents should take a little time to learn about them before introducing their children to the
new world of the internet.

http://www.essaypride.com/essays.php?free_essay=3966066&title=Children-And-The-Internet
Children and the Internet

Many children nowadays use, or at least have access to the internet. But most people are blinded by all the
benefits of the internet, and fail to notice any of the problems that can come from overuse. Since the
internet is a new technology, not many studies have been done to determine how beneficial or detrimental it
can be to children. Although the internet may have many benefits to children, it can also be very harmful to
them.
One of the most obvious problems with children using the internet is the chance of getting addicted.
Internet addiction is a serious thing, but hasn t drawn much attention due to the fact that it is a newer
problem in society. Children that have grown up using computers will naturally be more susceptible to
getting hooked on the internet. Many children spend more time on the computer than they spend watching
television. Most of the time children spend on the computer can be attributed to the internet. This computer
overuse results in less time for children to study, do homework, read, exercise, or participate in any out of
school organizations. Such a pattern will eventually affect the child s grades, health, and social life.
Spending too much time on the internet isn t the only problem that children can encounter. The content
which children access on the internet can be harmful as well. There is no regulation of the content on the
internet. Children can access information about pornography, racism, anarchy, and more. Many criminals
have been noted to regularly use the internet to access harmful information, which can just as easily be
viewed by children. Parents can t tell what information their children have been accessing, and there is no
way to censor all vulgar material from their computer. Not only is it difficult to monitor what information
children access on the internet, but whom they talk with as well. There are often stories in the news about
people getting arrested for trying to meet with underage children whom they met on the internet. Even if a
child has good intentions, they can always come across the wrong type of people, while parents are
practically helpless.
Possibly one of the things that can be the most detrimental to a child s future is their loss of social
interaction. Chatting over the internet can slowly begin to replace the important interaction with friends and
family. Many children go straight to their room once the get home from school, and only come out to eat
and use the restroom. Eventually the children grow apart from their friends because they would rather chat
on the internet than go out on a Friday night. Even though going out on Friday nights may not be the best
way for a child to spend their time, face to face interaction with other people is something essential for all
children to be comfortable with. If a child loses these social skills because of the internet, it can be very
harmful for their future. How will they expect to make a good impression during a job interview, if they
aren t even comfortable socializing with friends? In some cases, children spend so much time on the
internet, they don t even communicate with their family. Quality time with family is very important for a
child s mental growth, and overall well being.
In conclusion, there are many obvious benefits to children using the internet, but one should carefully look
at the hazards of children using the internet as well. If parents insist on having a computer with internet
access in their homes, they should be aware of the potential dangers that come with it. A good way to help
monitor what your child does on the internet is to have the computer in an area of the house where you can
observe the child using it. There are many other ways to help keep children safe from the dangers of the
internet, and parents should take a little time to learn about them before introducing their children to the
new world of the internet.

http://www.customessaymeister.com/customessays/Internet/10451.htm
Children Should Not Use The Internet Without Their Parents' Supervision
Children should not use the Internet without their Parents' Supervision

Internet is a network that virtually connects computers around the world. It has an address network which
makes communication possible between the computers. It is an open phone line and an open television
channel to millions of people around the world who can communicate anonymously (Palmer, 2006). People
use it to exchange files and e-mails, to surf the World Wide Web, to download songs or other types of files,
to take part of discussion boards, and to send instant messages. It can be beneficial when it comes to
freedom of press, and less disintermediation between people (Palmer, 2006). It can also be of assistance
when it comes to doing some kind of research, finding some specific information about any topic, or even
getting an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree when it comes to busy people who want to expand their
horizons. However, internet has many risks in contrast

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Children-Not-Use-Internet-Without-Their/152528

Internet Offers Benefits to Children and Classroom Teachers

by Marisa Beard

Picture a group of children gathered in front of a television monitor, all eyes intently focused on what is
happening on the screen. Children are smiling, laughing, and conversing with one another. Are they
watching Saturday morning cartoons? No. They are participating in a lesson that involves using the
Internet.

Teachers of students of all ages have begun to incorporate the Internet into their curriculum. "Why would a
teacher want to do this?" "Isn't it more work for the teacher?" "Is it safe for the students?" are all questions
asked by educators.

Why a teacher would want to incorporate the Internet into his/her curriculum is the first issue that needs to
be addressed. Teachers from preschool to high school are expected to know an amazing amount of
information or have the skills and knowledge to obtain current information for their children. Although
educators try to involve students in real life experiences, sometimes this just isn't possible. Students in
Chicago's inner city probably won't have the opportunity to visit a farm. Or rural students may not have
access to an art museum. Should these students completely miss out on these experiences, or should the
teacher try to bring the experiences to the classroom? One way to show children the world is through the
Internet. Children can visit a variety of Internet sites that offer information about, as well as online tours of,
farms, art museums, grocery stores, veterinary clinics, hospitals, and schools. Children can experience these
places individually, in small groups, or as a whole class.

A teacher may wonder, "How can I effectively use the Internet without taking away from the curriculum
my school district wants me to accomplish?" "Won't I have to spend more time preparing my lessons?"
There are many ways an educator can use the Internet in the classroom without disrupting the current
curriculum or spending an inordinate amount of time preparing.

In Amy Morris' first grade class in Macomb, Illinois, sending and receiving e-mail supports an interactive
method for discussing letter parts and letter writing. A large monitor (either a large computer monitor or a
television monitor connected to the computer) offers all children the opportunity to see and participate in
the activities. The form and structure of incoming e-mail is reviewed and examined, and the resulting
discussions target the absence of some letter components, the various greetings and salutations used, and
the inclusions of unusual "emoticons" such as :o) and ;o) and :0( in the letter.
As children in Morris' class progressed in their e-mail writing skills, many of them struck out on their own
and began to send e-mail messages to family members, children from other classes, and classroom visitors.
The children asked for a word chart to be placed by the computer so they could type often-used words
without asking for help from an adult. They also requested that each e-mail that was received be printed
and placed into a classroom book. Children are often observed reading these e-mail messages to themselves
or friends in the classroom. Morris believes that all children in her first grade class leave at the end of the
year with a greater understanding of the proper components in letters.

E-mail is not the only way for children to interact on the Internet. More and more sites written especially
for children---from grocery stores to banks, from veterinary offices to family organizations---encourage
children to look for information, share information, submit stories and pictures, and play games.

If a child asks a question that a teacher is unable to answer, the teacher can go to a predetermined "safe"
site and search for the information. A few of these sites are http:/www.dcmrats.org/ (a museum),
http://library.advanced.org/11922/index.htm (a virtual zoo),
http://www.berenstainbears.com/ (berenstain bears),
http://www.crayola.com/ (crayons).
The sites allow users to search within a safe environment for specific information.

Internet safety is important to discuss with children who are capable of using the Internet independently.
Without frightening children, explain that you want them to e-mail only classroom-approved friends and go
to the sites that you have already visited. If the browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) is set up for e-mail
and is formatted with an address book, children can use it for their e-mail correspondence. Even very young
children are able to recognize and learn the names of those people with whom they'd like to correspond.
Including a key word in the name section of the address book to identify a person would also be helpful,
such as, "Sally's mom," "the book lady," "Joe's dad," "the animal doctor." Bookmarks can be set up in a
folder specifically for the students in the classroom. These bookmarks can be retitled in words that children
can recognize or read. When children work in groups to go to a site, they will usually help each other find
the right bookmark for a particular location.

As teachers become more proficient Internet users, they can do more to unleash the learning potential of
students. Classroom web pages can be used to share information with parents and other students. Students
can discuss what they have been learning or simply things they wish to share. For students with speech or
language difficulties, Internet use can be a wonderful opportunity for them to use their language to share
information that others can understand. Children can create HyperStudio stacks and upload them to be
placed on their classroom web page. These stacks can then be viewed by friends and family, giving the
student the opportunity to share with a broader audience. Simply put, the Internet has so much potential in
being used in a positive and educational way. Information that children never had access to before and
people whom they have never met are right at their fingertips.

http://www.wiu.edu/thecenter/articles/benefits.html
Internet Addiction.

1. Introduction

Internet has been the buzzword for the people around the world in the last decade. Very few people will
disagree about the fact that everyone likes to do most of their activities in the most easiest and flexible way
possible. Ease and Flexibility is what Internet has provided to the mankind irrespective of profession or
leisure based activity. Today internet is widely used by the business world for conducting their daily chores
and by individuals to interact, learn and relax. Almost everything can be done online even if it is not in its
true physical sense. The multifaceted benefits of internet are so compelling that even governments are
taking the initiative to include it in their national policymaking. There is absolutely no doubt in the authors
mind that Internet does provide a lot of convenience to the society but is that all? In this report the author
will elaborate the darker side of internet and its implications on the individuals and society on the whole.

2. Internet Addiction

When the government starts actively promoting the use of internet nationwide, people ranging from every
age group are bound to venture into the cyberspace. Many users utilize the perils of internet and use it for
the right purpose only but others fall prey to the dark side of internet. These people who are lured into the
dark work internet are usually categorized as Internet addicts. Addiction may be considered as the
condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something. In most cases it
includes alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking, gambling and watching television etc. Previous research
shows that internet can also be addictive [Griffiths, 1995; 1996]. An in depth look into the literature suggest
that there are two different views while stating internet as addictive. On one side a collection of researchers
believe that internet addiction can be compared with substance addiction [Welsh 1999, Anderson 2000]
whereas others are of the opinion that it has relevance with pathological gambling [Davis 1999, Greenfield
2000]. There is a lot of difference in opinion and the available research does not pin point any evidence
based cause for the internet to be termed as addictive [Grohol, 1999]. Even after the disagreement among
researchers the following activities are generally categorized as addictive on the internet: Online Chatting,
Online Shopping, Online Gambling, Exchanging messages using Online Message Boards, Browsing
explicit sexual content and to some extent using emails. Few of these like gambling, shopping and viewing
of sexual content are accepted as addiction with more ease than the others but the fact that each of them can
have severe implications can be seen from the discussion in the next section.

3. Implications of Internet Addiction

In the previous section a list of possible online activities were presented which may be categorized as
addiction. Most of the mentioned categorize are causing major problems in the main categories of everyday
life including family, work, relationship and children.

In family arena a member of the family who has become an internet addict tends to withdraw from the
family and spend a lot of time surfing the net and in a way moves away from the family. In many cases the
other family members are of the view that internet had hijacked their close one from them. In relationships
the partners who have ventured into the world of cyberspace start giving preference to internet over their
other partner and are resulting in divorce in many cases [Welford, 1999]. In professional life or rather in the
office people are spending more time in exchanging personal emails and messages through chatting rather
than concentrating on their work and are loosing productive time. Even after many warnings the employees
are continuing to do so and as a result are loosing their jobs. Another major problem that has increased
substantially over the last decade in the use of the internet for sex related activities. This becomes even
worse when children are exposed to such explicit material. This will be covered in detail in the following
sections. Online gambling has become the second most hated menace after online pornography as this gives
a lot of people an easy option to gamble 24 hours a day sitting in a relaxed atmosphere. As a result of this
more and more people are becoming bankrupt.

Apart from the above consequences there are many other smaller damages that internet is having on
individuals like provoking them to lie and cover-up for their addiction and keep secrets from their close
ones. An entire book can written on this topic citing numerous real life examples but due to the limitations
of this report the major negative effects of internet addiction therefore may be summarized as Families in
crisis, Lost Jobs, College expulsion, destroyed marriage, deepening depression, mounting debts, broken
trust, pedophiles stalking kids and teenagers breaking down.

4. Children and Internet

Across the past twenty years the use of Internet has changed the practices and procedures of nearly all
forms of endeavor within business and governance. "The advent of computer technology has brought many
kinds of opportunities and some of these, not surprisingly, are of a criminal nature". (Bainbridge 1993).
The Internet contains harmful pornographic material. In the long list of threats to child innocence and
sexual safety, the Internet is the latest, according to Jenkins (2001), a historian at Pennsylvania State
University. In this case, Jenkins argues in Beyond Tolerance, the threat is very real.

Warning Signs
The Internet is an awfully tough venue to police. What is punishable in one country may be legal in
another; aliases are common; Web sites can be put up and taken down in a few hours. Moreover, Web sites
and their contents are often do-it-yourself jobs. Many parents ask their children how much time they are
spending on Internet. But many kids lie especially when they are already addicted. Some warning signs are
listed below to ascertain whether the child’s Internet use has progressed to overuse.
Excessive fatigue – Child struggling to get up early in the morning, his drowsiness increased changes in
sleep patterns.
Academic Problems – Child’s grades decreasing, poor performance in class tests etc.
Withdrawal from friends – Child becoming increasingly distant and uncommunicative with the family.
Declining Interests in Hobbies – Child losing interests in his hobbies as Internet has become his new hobby
which is an obsession that renders all other activities meaningless.
Disobedience – Not listening to parents and being disobedient and telling lies about the usage of Internet.
If a child demonstrates any of these warning signs he might be addicted to the Internet.

Children’s Motives for Using the Internet

Today’s children and adolescents are in many ways the defining users of the digital media, including the
Internet (Montgomery, 2000). Recent survey research suggests that teenagers spend more time online than
adults, and they more often use e-mail, a mobile phone, and instant text messaging than do adults (Kraut et
al, 1999; NOP Research Group, 2000a, 2000b). Now that the majority of American and European children
and adolescents regularly go online (NOP Research Group, 2000a; Turow & Nir, 2000), the time is right to
examine how and why children use the Internet.

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