Kids Are Getting Good At Hiding Internet Usage – Problems And Solutions

A new study from of 3000 parents by Stop Procrastinating, the website blocker, has uncovered a new concern. Kids are now getting good at hiding from their parents when they use the Internet. When we think they are safe and sound tucked up in bed, they are in fact browsing the Internet and chatting with friends.

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The study found that a majority of parents discovered that their children were using social media and browsing the web when they should be sleeping and as a consequence it lowered their chances of doing well in school.

The lack of sleep caused a direct drop in their performance in the classroom. Children were more irritable, less able to concentrate and more tired in the classroom.

Teachers also observed that the children were doing less well and were concerned that their grades would suffer as a result.

How should parents deal with this? Imagine then trying to talk to your children about their Internet use when they are already tried and irritable. Fireworks are sure to follow.

Fortunately, the study also asked parents to reveal the techniques and strategies they use to reduce the negative impacts of social media and the Internet on their children.

The most effective strategies combined building up a trusting relationship with their children, so that they were able to have open conversations about the Internet without stress and confrontation, and boundary-setting by parents. For instance, stopping children using digital devices an hour before they go to bed. Some parents also tried to make cutting down on internet use an enjoyable and fun challenge that their children could share and compete with their friends by creating a digital detox challenge week.

The survey also found that parents are more successful at cutting their children’s Internet use if they work with other parents and the school. If all a group of friends are all treated in the same way they will feel less pressure to break the rules and get online when they shouldn’t.

You can view the survey results about parents attempts to control their children’s use of the Internet in the infographic below:

parental controls

14 Comments

  1. The statistics is alarming and this is no joke. In our household, the boys’ term is “confiscate” — I confiscate their mobile phones and They can use them only on weekends. Sometimes

  2. This is not good, now a days ang dami ng mga batang na aadict na sa electronics and gadgets. We have neighbors here na lagi nila pinapagalitan mga anak nila kasi pag galing sa school dumadaan pa sa peso net or di kaya magdamag nakaharap sa monitor or tablet. Being a parent it’s our responsibility to advice and facilitate our kids.

  3. I would have to agree with these statistics. While I think being technologically-savvy is vital for children, it’s still very necessary to monitor their internet usage.

  4. I find this one very alarming. But the change should also has to start with us, parents. I do admit that I am dependent to technology and I am often using internet. But as a parent, I will try to make my children understand that what Mommy does is work-related. Dapat din talagang magabayan sila. Spending more time with the family can help lessen this kind of problem.

  5. Quite alarming that internet usage is taking over our children’s life… at home, my kids must follow the rules. no ipad or computer on weekdays. Only Friday night and the whole saturday. Then on Sundays i’ll be keeping it again for the whole week…

  6. I’ve attended a parenting talk before that mentions the same. I hope i don’t encounter this issue when my little one grows up. Real talk and non-digital bonding is a big for me, so I hope he learns it too.

  7. As much as the digital age is taking over, I do my best to avoid tech stuff around my son ~ television with education, baby-friendly shows is probably the only thing I do with him that’s on a “tech” side. Non-digital parenting, for me, is the way to go 🙂 I learned a lot from this post!!

  8. As for the kids lets be honest here guys, non of you are using incognito or similar, to be Facebooking and Googling. If you don t want mom and dad knowing what you re doing, then you likely shouldn t be doing it in the first place. ??

  9. This is so alarming. May this be a eye-opening story for parents to guard their kids internet usage. Thank you for sharing this very important information.

  10. Wow..it is sometimes really true..nowadays it is very common and most of the parents knows too…i wasn’t aware about this fact until i read your blog…it is really helpful..Thanks for the awareness…

  11. Michelle

    Great read about technology use and abuse. It is concerning when children are using technology too much and not getting the proper sleep they need. Articles like this help to build conversation and awareness.

  12. Elizabeth O

    You’re right! It is really alarming on how kids used gadgets and internet. Sometimes it is too late for them to sleep because of video games and watching videos. Parents should know how they limit their kids on using any gadgets.

  13. I agree with your point – children were using social media and browsing the web much nowadays & this is affecting their performance.

    But they will definitely find the best way!

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