My 13 year old is stuck in front of a monitor. In my mind I keep going back and forth with this issue. On one hand I think he should be outside playing, being a 13 year old, building forts with friends, getting exercise, learning to make things, help out around the yard and house.
On the other hand, I'm worried he will learn to smoke, be introduced to drugs, learn and use foul language, chase wild women, meet older kids, learn violence and crime.
The internet is certainly wide open to him, we don't control access or even have the ability to monitor or censure where he surfs, what he sees.
The last time he wanted to go to the mall and meet his friends, I think I said OK, but it was just to hang out, should I have said no, stay in front of the monitor and vegetate while playing a war craft game.
I mention my concerns to my wife and she defends his time online saying I'm doing the same thing; right now I'm online writing this piece, he's in the other room blowing up avatars; am I setting the example?
When I'm out and about I see 13 year old's hanging, and I'm glad mine is at home. But when I'm at home and see him absorbed with a headset and microphone in a make believe world I want to pull the plug.
This is not the first time I don't have an answer. John 2011
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