Final draft (week16)

Parents should not ban children from the internet.

 As a technology in the cyberspace has been growing rapidly in recent times, we live in the information-oriented society now. Through this development, we can live comfortable lives because the internet has become the most useful communication and education tool. To a closer look at the internet, it is a controversial thing. For example, my brother has been also learning the words or studying on the internet until now. Studying in the internet is obviously a positive effect. However, there are existed some bad things about the internet. For instance, if there is no any restriction for people such as young children and teenagers, it can cause negative effects. Then, is there needed a parenting control? I don`t think so. I think the internet has many good points than bad ones. If the parents are interrupting or interfering the children`s tasks such as the internet, it can cause worse problems. So I think parents should not ban children from the internet.

 The Internet has always been, and always will be, a magic box(Marc Andreessen ,2008). With the improvement of technology, internet links us to the world of infinite possibilities reflecting the magic box literally. Nowadays, most students find themselves depending on the internet as a source to research and complete their assignments. Actually, with the improving information on the net, it serves as incredible tools to students in enhancing students on their studies introducing a whole new level of academic performances. Over-reliance, on the other hand, will deteriorate studies. There is a saying “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.” Proper control of oneself is highly needed to provide self-measurement in such cases.

 Likewise, Sometimes children can do some bad things such as watching a violence, playing games, and chatting with friends a lot. However, parents can be enough to control children’s online activity without banning it. Instead, it will be easier to keep an eye on children`s online activity. So, It is important to build trust with children and teenagers regarding being responsible for using the internet safely. In addition, a child should never know more than a parent does about the internet. That is why it is important that you know how to use a computer and the internet or learn if you don’t know.(AYSH S,2014)

 Perhaps, some parents worry about the internet addiction because most of them think using the internet is related to an addiction. But, I think we have to say about the topic without the addiction. Because the addiction is not a problem that is related the using the internet but the times. Thus, We should think it in spite of all the risks and parents should teach them about that safety, security and ethical issues too. We know all what we know today because we were subjected to it. Children are natural risk takers.(Leslie Davis)

 Now let’s take a look at the several reasons that support my argument. First, if parents ban children from the internet, they lost the trust from their children. In fact, the one thing that every parent should give their child is the trust. Without trust, children will never have the confidence in himself or herself to be true to others. When parents switch off the internet, children will find ways to get on it. Because they feel, it is unfair. So they may not be doing it in front of you but they will always be trying to find the passwords, keys and ways to get themselves on it secretly. It isn't like if parents shut off the internet at their home, their children have it gone out of their life. Children can get on the internet at other places like school or a friend's place or even internet cafes. After all, parents and children will not trust each other. Thus, parents also respect their children`s thoughts and behaviors.

 Second, Children can be missed a chance to get information and education (NOBullying,2014). The internet is a beneficial tool for children to enhance their reading skills and has a huge resource of information. Think of it as the Library. Just like there are good books, bad books and irrelevant books, so has the internet. There is every reason for our children to be on the internet. In fact, children can explore new ideas, gather information for the topics that interest them. They can look for more references for what have been taught at school and find easier methods to understand a topic. Through it, they can practically travel the world understanding multi-cultures. They also get entertainment in the form of videos and games and then there are their chances to communicate and stay in touch with their families and friends. When parents switch off the internet for them, all this is hindered. So, parents are disadvantaging their children in a skill that they need to survive in today's world.

 Actually, Except these, there are lots of evidence. Using the internet is useful for people, especially children. Because there are many things, they can do with the internet. For example, they can study a homework or search the information through the internet. And, they can communicate with their friends or relatives. If they use it not excessively, it can help them variously.

 Someone says parents ensure their children`s safety by banning the internet. But I don`t agree with it. I know that their main concern is always the safety of their children. Safety, whether it is online or offline, should be talked about at home. It is highly possible for parents to avoid talking about internet safety when you keep their children from the internet. When they have taken their children off the internet, and they are going off to their friends place to surf the net, there is every chance that they may become victims to internet predators. So banning the internet to protect children is useless. Instead, it is better to keep an eye on them while they’re using the internet not banning it. Also, some parents worried about the risk of their child from the pedophiles.(MailOnline,2007) 

 However, there is little possibility such things. And it can occur in reality no in a cyberspace. Thus, it can not the main problem of the using internet. Perhaps, in terms of the strict parents, children may feel difficulties. In that time, I recommend them not to use the internet a lot but use it properly. The internet has a good content but if it could be excessive, it can not afford to not run. And yet, internet is helpful for children. I think it is the cored thing.

 In conclusion, though many kinds of unwanted materials are available on the internet, there are large amounts of helpful materials for the children. So, Parents can monitor their children’s online activities, and it can be of help to classify which is a needed information. Through this process, children can study hard and obtain help from the internet. Thus, it is better to allow children to use the internet rather than ban the internet. Parents are only keeping an eye on their children while they’re using the internet. I think it is the only solution to maintain a relationship between parents and children, and maximize a strong point of the internet using. Lastly, I recommend for children not to use the internet a lot but use it properly. By conducting it, parents think they have a splendid relationship with their children.  As the internet grows, most of us should be careful to use it. Thus, all children should try to use correctly.

Reference

Marc Andreessen(2008). Marc Andreessen Quote
http://izquotes.com/quote/5291

Seluzfahik(2013). Parents Should Not Ban Their Children from Using the Internet
http://selusfahik.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/parents-should-not-ban-their-children-from-using-the-internet/

Leslie Davis. The Internet May Be Causing More Harm to Your Children Than You Think
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/video-game-addiction-articles/internet-may-be-causing-more-harm-to-your-children-than-you-think.htm

MailOnline(May 2007) Parents ban children from internet chatrooms over fears of paedophiles
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-458919/Parents-ban-children-internet-chatrooms-fears-paedophiles.html


NOBullying(8th May 2014) Kids Internet Safety: Don’t Ban – Educate!
http://nobullying.com/kids-internet-safety-dont-ban-educate/

AYSH S(MAY 2014) 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BAN THE INTERNET FOR YOUR CHILD
http://www.wordsnneedles.com/2014/05/5-reasons-why-you-should-not-ban.html

Meg(March 2014) 10 REASONS WHY I WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE MY CHILDREN HANDHELD DEVICES
http://hipmombrarian.com/2014/03/11/10-reasons-why-i-will-continue-to-give-my-children-handheld-devices/