Should children be allowed to use the internet?

 Should children be allowed to use the internet?

1. Introduction 

Hello everybody. Today we are going to talk about a very sensitive topic which is “should children be allowed to use the internet?”.

1. Why should we let children use the internet ?

The internet can be wonderful for kids.

• It can be a power tool for building a solid educational foundation for kids because it offers an enormous amount of knowledge available easily and cheaply.
• It can also help them in their school homework and it makes learning fun with educational games, videos and documentaries.
• Using the internet prepares them for the future because we live in a digitalized society so they really have to learn using these tools.
• It is an incredible way to entertain by playing games, learning languages and learning how to play of an instrument.

Do you find other advantages of letting kids use the internet?

1. Why shouldn’t we let children use the internet?

The internet can also be dangerous especially for children.

• The internet gives access to inappropriate or harmful content like violent images, obscene content such as foul language or drug and alcohol use but also they can be exposed to sexually explicit content notably pornographic images and videos.
• Kids can also be exposed to online predators who can lure kids. Online predators are adults who pretend to be kids to create an online relationship. Once this relationship is created, the groomer can start putting pressure on the kid so that he sends him intimate photos and in extreme cases, the groomer can pressure the child to meet in person.    ))
• Being cyber-bullied or cyberbullying other children  “Have you ever been cyberbullied?”
• (other bad effects like technology addiction, lower attention span, obesity, sleep deprivation, social isolation…)

Do you find other disadvantages of letting kids use the internet?

1. The role of parents in their children’s use of the internet

• It’s up to parents to ensure the safety of their children on the internet. To do so, first they have to supervise their children when they use the internet by setting up parental control software to manage the time their children spend online but also to limit inappropriate internet access.

• Before handing a computer or mobile device to their children, parents should teach them the right behavior while using the internet. There are simple rules like don’t talk to strangers online, don’t share private information such as your name, address, phone number… and last but not least treat others online how you want to be treated.        

• But also, parents should teach their child to have an open mind and a critical spirit to be capable to distinguish the truth from the false and to don’t become an influenceable person who believes everything he is told.

1. Conclusion

• Our question ‘should we let children use the internet’ can’t be answered by “yes” or “no” because we live in the 21st century and kids have to learn how to use the internet but we have to teach them how to use it in the good way.

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