More than 60% of parents do not limit the time that their 14-17 year olds spend on the Internet in any way and do not control the pages they visit.
“Traveling in the virtual space often seems to be less dangerous for adults than a teenager walking with friends,” explains psychologist Galina Soldatova. “The main thing is that the son or daughter is at home, which means they are safe.” Meanwhile, more than half of schoolchildren in grades 8-11 provide personal information about themselves on the Web (home address, phone numbers) and from time to time meet “in real life” with those they met on the Web. Approximately one in three teenagers admitted that the Internet interferes with their studies, hobbies and meetings with friends. Finally, according to various estimates, from 2 to 5% of children and adolescents are prone to Internet addiction, which can develop within six months of active (more than 20 hours a week) use of the Internet. “Parents should be alerted if the child’s behavior has changed,” explains psychologist Alexander Voiskunsky. “For example, a teenager who used to share the events of his life suddenly closed in on himself, stopped meeting with friends, preferring virtual communication.” Alexander Voiskunsky is convinced that, first of all, the sincere interest of adults will help to bring a teenager back to reality. Indeed, giving preference to the Internet over television, books, friends or school, all survey participants named their parents the most important source of information for themselves. Teenagers still trust them more. How long?
All data was obtained during the study «Children in the Information Society», conducted by the Internet Development Foundation in March-April 2009.
What to do if it «freezes»
“Talk more with your son or daughter just like that, about everything, including his travels on the Web,” advises Alexander Voiskunsky. – Encourage his friendship with peers in real life. Also invite him to try his hand at an amateur theatrical studio: after all, an active existence within the framework of an online game, immersion in an imaginary world, frequent role changes cause inspiration, very similar to that which an actor experiences when going on stage.