How to wean a child from a computer? The influence of the computer on health

Whether we like it or not, the modern world without computer and mobile technology can not be imagined. And if earlier computers were used more to create programs and research, today they are available to any child. Unfortunately, a constant sitting at the PC during the passage of the next level of your favorite game or for social networking often leads to a so-called computer dependence, which, in the opinion of the overwhelming majority of psychologists, is comparable to the dependence of the drug and alcohol. If you do not tackle the problem in time, the consequences can be the most disastrous. This applies to the physical health of your child, and moral. So, is it possible and how to wean a child of any age from the computer? About this and talk.

How to wean a child off the computer and is it worth it?

This issue has recently become more relevant, and among psychologists on this subject are endless disputes. Today without a computer - nowhere. Note, even in schools when studying computer science students somehow still contact the computer environment. In this case, often the subject itself is interested in them to the smallest extent (in terms of using the Internet or passing games, current children know much more than their teachers).

But at home the most sad begins: the child sits at the computer for hours, without food and sleep, ignoring the world around him. This is the essence of the problem. However, in this case, we are not talking about closing the child to access the virtual reality entirely and completely. In this process, you need to restrict it a little or show that there are more interesting hobbies in the world. But it should not be done in categorical form, but gently and carefully.

Some parents mistakenly believe that if a child is sitting at the computer all day, it is a clear sign that he will grow a real computer genius or a great programmer. Alas, the percentage of those who really became such, is scanty small. But then the parents begin a real headache about how to wean the child from the computer. Computer addiction can go into such a stage that it will be too late to take any measures. Will only hope to help the therapist.

The influence of the computer on the health of the student

How do modern computer systems and software affect children? Attack goes on all fronts, affecting the physical and moral health of the user.

When a child at a computer spends a lot of time, first of all, it damages your health. Despite all the statements made by manufacturers of modern computer systems about their safety, immediately it is possible to note the effect of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the monitor and the system unit. Of course, now we are not talking about some critical overdose, however, we can not discount such an effect.

Because of this, the fatigue of the eyes starts from the constant looking at the monitor, headaches, from the sitting (usually incorrect), there is a curvature of the spine, the child becomes irritable, it is overcome by stress, when something does not work, E.

But physical symptoms of fatigue are far from all. Much worse things are with the moral state of children, which, according to psychologists, causes far more harm. It's no secret that the child at the computer mostly spend most of his time playing games or communicating with peers (and not only) in social networks and chats. But in the same Internet is full of scammers of all stripes, not to mention extremist groups, forbidden resources or "adult" sites.

Computer games

Modern games, mostly single and team shooters, represent a real threat to the psyche of children. The main goal is to kill as many opponents as possible. The choice of weapons is such that many military envy.

The adult person understands that this is a game, but children with their fragile worldview are able to transfer the plots of games into real life, especially without thinking about the consequences of their actions. And they often become tragic. Plus, if a child does not manage to pass a level, or he loses, hysteria begins until the computer, furniture or whatever is at hand is broken.

Internet and social networks

No less dangerous is the modern Internet. Not to mention the sites of dubious content, the World Wide Web is full of resources, far from being childish, in which militant groups simply "break" the psyche of children, and then they become real kamikazes who arrange terrorist acts "for the idea."

Even social networking is not so harmless. As a parent, think: why does the child spend most of his time in such communication with peers? Yes, only because they can express everything in virtual space, but you do not have to claim it in real life. In other words, in this situation, when parents begin to decide how to wean the child (of any age) from the computer, do not forget that first and foremost you need to become a friend to him. The process, of course, will take more than one day, but then the child can be called even for a frank conversation. Notice, the conversation with a friend, not with the ward. And do not be afraid to let your children grow up. They like to consider themselves older than they really are. A permanent, sorry, "syusyukaniya" or the position "I'm older, I know better" will only lead to the opposite effect.

Dangerous entertainment

It would be possible, as one of the options, to offer the child instead of "hovering" in social networks or playing outdoor games on the street. Nothing wrong with that. You can recall the games of his childhood, when you could drive football, run in search of a team-rival, following the directions of arrows on the asphalt, and even doing some tasks ("Cossacks-robbers"). Well than not the quest?

But today such games under the influence of the Internet are becoming increasingly perverted and often frightening forms. Take at least the so-called "death groups", whose members call themselves whales (by analogy with ejected animals, as stated on the pages, from desperation to the shore). Children fall under the influence of moderators and begin to carry out deadly tasks (they jump from high-rise buildings, run across a road in front of a fast moving vehicle, cut their hands with blades and make god knows what), and then spread the filmed videos for public viewing on the Net. And here there is something to think about.

Is it worth it to set bans?

If you had to solve the problem "How to wean the child from computer games?", Please note: prohibitions will not lead to anything good. As you know, the action gives rise to opposition.

So, if you constantly hide your computer, nothing good will come of it. Another thing is that you can set a child of primary school age certain hours, when he can enjoy his favorite game. But here it is better to show him the count of time spent aimlessly, keeping notes in the diary.

If you have children of primary school age, it is advisable to disconnect the Internet at home, and if you need it during the study of the school curriculum, you can include it strictly at certain hours. There is no point in completely refusing to use the World Wide Web. All the same the child will get access, after all modern smart phones on it just and are focused.

A few general tips for parents

Some parents use a completely justified tactic: they say, for the time you were playing, you could already learn to play guitar. By the way, this method is also good for teenagers.

They will soon start gathering companies. And what about the guitar?

On the other hand, adolescents can offer some kind of alternative to computer reality. Mobile games on the street, organized by analogy with computer shooters, will become much more interesting.

Take at least the same paintball. A real team shooter in the first person in real time and with a real opponent.

Another fascination for the child can be interesting books (science fiction, adventure, detective stories, etc.). Of course, the current young people do not perceive literature in paper form. Advise to address to any literary portal, online library or simply download interesting books (fantasy, fantasy) in electronic form. Such step of the child from reading a literary work will not alienate. Let him see, for example, a fantastic action movie, and then indicate a discrepancy with the original book (in films there is always a lot missing). If a teenager is interested in a film, he will read the book to learn the full story.

Many experts recommend that you often go out with a child outside the city. It can be a family picnic or skiing on mountain bikes (bicycles). Conclude a bet on who will be the first to reach a certain place.

A positive reaction in children is the search for firewood and deadwood to kindle a fire (who did not indulge in matches as a child) or joint cooking of the same shish kebab, catching fish and cooking ears. While all this is being prepared, you can also take an active rest - play volleyball, swim in the pond, etc. Here are the fellows Americans who invented the movement of scouts. And to us some of its analogue obviously does not hurt, especially since in such camps, communication takes place between peers in real life, and not through the screen of a computer monitor.

In general, the topic of joint family cooking and eating is very relevant. At first it can cause some difficulties, but, as statistics show, after about a month family dinners and dinners can become a solid tradition.

Sometimes parents are advised to involve children in sports, various kinds of circles or hobby groups. Yes, just buy a child a subscription to a fitness club or pool. In general, methods of getting rid of children from computer dependency are enough. But with extreme sports you need to be extremely careful.

Locking the computer and installing parental controls

Now a few words about the technical moment. Since we use Windows operating systems more, it will be them. How to block the computer from children? In the simplest case, set a password to log in and enter it so that the child does not see it.

But in Windows 10, you can create a special type of child account without entering e-mail (you can only enter your mobile phone number if you need to restore it). The first input should be done by yourself, and when configured, activate daily reports on actions, send them by e-mail and block private browsing mode (InPrivate). For children under the age of eight, the mode is disabled by default. Also in the settings you can specify the ban on launching individual applications (for example, games). It is also desirable to activate a timer that shows the time the child spends on the computer and the location service for his mobile device.

The same is recommended for mobile devices and Smart TV. Although ... by and large, without even knowing the parent account, a thinking teenager will be able to reset all these settings within a couple of minutes. For obvious reasons, these methods are not given.

Questions of self-realization of the child

Finally, let the child not only feel like an adult, but also seriously engage in some sort of his passion, and not what his parents try to impose on him.

You'll see, even if the most frivolous hobby still distracts your child from the computer for a long time. It goes without saying that it is necessary to support it in every way, to talk more often on this topic, to encourage and discuss achievements and problems.

What not to do?

How to block the computer from children, figured out. Now, about what to do is not worth it under any circumstances. You can not turn access to a computer into a kind of market relationship.

And then, after all, many parents start talking, they say, you take out the garbage and take it away in the apartment, and I'll let you use the computer. This is not an option. So you can generally at the earliest stage of growing up turn a child into a natural shopkeeper.

Instead of an afterword

It remains to be said that not all methods have been brought here that allow us to fully solve the emerging problems, because in each concrete case everything depends not only on the parents' desire, but also on the child himself, his character, tastes, inclinations, etc. And of course, we should not rush to extremes from the extreme, because both absolute freedom of action and a complete ban will not lead to anything good. If it really does not help at all, it's better to turn to a professional child psychologist to find a way out of the current negative situation together.