COMPUTER, THE INTERNET AND KIDS
NORMITA B. TABIOS
The use of computers and the Internet is almost an indispensable part of our everyday life today. These two make it easy for us to do things and provide information to whatever we need to accomplish and need to know and learn digitally or on-line so to speak. Compared before, we never had this much source for a particular and the ‘inter-activeness’to communicate and socialize, and for entertainment and play as well. Literally computers and the Internet cut our time short and hassle free in doing our tasks and enjoy the benefits and convenience to our advantage.
Computers and the Internet for kids is a big leap to explore and open doors to learn more about anything. They serve very helpful as information provider and finding answers to assignments or completing school projects. Kids become smart because they easily get comprehensive answers and ways on how a particular work is done. Via the Internet helps kids aware of what is happening around the world. Libraries and books are here to stay, but with the Internet it provides quick access to the sites and can have speedy information compared to the conventional library use; from browsing the card catalogues, finding the books from the shelves, to flipping book pages and reading, writing the information and or photocopying them. In most cases, the Internet lays everything and the computer gets it is all done for kids without a hitch. The Internet is an effective and fun way to learn also through it and even takes place the presence of a teacher having it the interactive way to learn in the comfort of the kid’s home.
However, the problem with computers and the Internet is that sometimes kids do not use them properly. They can get addicted with them and spend more time than they should purposely. On-line games are getting more virtual and challenging and other sites and applications are very enticing for them to resist. With kids getting hooked on these are more likely to compromise their attention to school work and learning. Worse is that they might be geared or influence them to do something undesirable for their age. These kinds of indulgent for kids pose a big problem for parents and a bothering and impending matter for their learning. But positively, this technology aids and provides more for learning in kids.
Computers and the Internet are here for kids, but they should not greatly rely on these. They are really an advantage, but there are still more ways to learn and discover doing the old school ways rather than employing the techie forms. As the old folks used to say that there is nothing better learning things in the basics like they used to, and as close physically with what you learn gives real feeling gaining knowledge. Whether kids deal with the real world in the old ways or via the information highway, still it is a great responsibility of the parents to guide and teach them what is right from wrong. — oOo—
The author is Teacher II at Tinajero National High School- Main