Freedom is “when I can play on the computer as long as I want to,” according to my teenager. And his argument continues…
“Now if my mom can sit in front of the computer all day long for her job and do a desk job, why can't I sit in front of the computer and just play? If she, along with a million others, does their job while staring at the screens, why can't I? If working on computers cannot increase her eye prescription, why does it have to suddenly affect mine even though my computer is much more advanced than her 6 years old laptop? How is it my fault that I was born in this age, where we all have a phone that is as good as a slightly older computer, a way to see and help each other in homework is via Skype, the ability to talk is via Texting, we share our life via Instagram, we make our friend circle bigger via Facebook, and we make sure we stay in touch via Twitter? Most of all, we challenge each other by strategizing and actually using our brains to solve difficult problems that we are forced into while playing a game - plus our fingers get a workout!"
Truly, as a parent, I did not need to do much because he himself had to add this to his argument:
“Now if my mom can sit in front of the computer all day long for her job and do a desk job, why can't I sit in front of the computer and just play? If she, along with a million others, does their job while staring at the screens, why can't I? If working on computers cannot increase her eye prescription, why does it have to suddenly affect mine even though my computer is much more advanced than her 6 years old laptop? How is it my fault that I was born in this age, where we all have a phone that is as good as a slightly older computer, a way to see and help each other in homework is via Skype, the ability to talk is via Texting, we share our life via Instagram, we make our friend circle bigger via Facebook, and we make sure we stay in touch via Twitter? Most of all, we challenge each other by strategizing and actually using our brains to solve difficult problems that we are forced into while playing a game - plus our fingers get a workout!"
Truly, as a parent, I did not need to do much because he himself had to add this to his argument:
“Now I do agree that I need to make sure I manage my grades - and so I do. I am an Honors student, participate in a lot of extra-curricular activities, and am as social as a kid this age can be. No bragging but I also do the Odyssey of the Mind, which is a creative problem solving program that my mom coaches and get to work with a team of other friends my age. And I also enjoy books! Actually what I enjoy the most is when me and my mom read the same books and we are almost racing to finish them first. It is very nice to have someone in the family read the same book, so we can discuss it. I also enjoy playing music and am in our school's Jazz band. I want to make it clear that I do understand that playing on the computer for too long can be numbing. Sometimes it works as a thriller and some other times it actually feels very meditative because I'm totally isolated from the world around me. But I understand what my mom is worried about the most. She feels that playing on the computer absolutely narrows my world and that is what she is afraid of the most. I do understand!! And I understand the concept of MODERATION. Anything in moderation is good but when done beyond extremes can be unhealthy. So mom I agree with everything you have to say, and while I say that, I want to play as long as I want to. What I mean is I want to be playing without fear. I want to be playing without feeling guilty about it. I want to be playing just because I am a good kid, and I do everything else necessary to keep myself safe and healthy. And After a STRESSFUL day at SCHOOL I just want to enjoy some time playing. Even if playing in 2014 might not quite mean the same as it did for you in 1980’s.
"And one request for all parents: Teens in general like me just need a tap on their shoulder to remind them that we have lost track of time, and we just need to sometimes remove ourselves from what we are doing. As a parent you need to understand that our biology is all messed up, and all we need is just some more attention and someone to set some limits for us.
