Parent's Guide to Family Computer Use
Desktop Guide
APR
3
2009
1. Don't be afraid to let your kids explore, but monitor their behavior.
The internet can be a dangerous place, yet it can be a fun and educational place as well. Here are some easy steps to ensure that your child does not end up in the wrong corner of the internet:
- Open Communication: Talk about the internet and keep each other informed. Share your favorite sites and become familiar with the websites frequently visited by the rest of your family. By keeping open communication between your family about your computer and the internet, you can show your family that you embrace the internet, but are aware as well.
- Keep the Computer in a Family or Living Room: Setting up your computer in a visible location makes it easier to monitor what your children are doing and harder for them to browse in secret. It also allows them to see what you are doing so they know that you are safely browsing as well. You do not need to spy on your kids, but you do need them to know that you know what they are up to and that you care about their internet use.
- Enable Safer Search Options: Most, if not all, search engines allow parents to turn on "safe search" functionality or filters. There are also some search engines designed especially for kids. Using these filtered searches will greatly reduce the likelihood that your child will accidentally stumble upon malicious software or pornography.
- Educate Your Children on the Dangers of the Internet: Encourage safe internet use by setting the internet up as a valuable resource but warning your children against the dangers of the internet as well. If they are members of a social network or use chat, warn them not to speak to or accept friendship requests from people they do not know.
2. Use the Computer as an Educational Tool
Whether it is for homework or for fun, the computer can be a valuable resource for learning. Here are some ways that you can use your family computer for educational purposes:
- Homework and Research: The internet contains an endless wealth of information. Where before one would have to spend hours searching through books or encyclopedias for research, now the information can be found with the click of a button. Using the safe search techniques outlined above, use the internet to find homework answers or browse for knowledge.
- Educational Games: Games such as JumpStart and Math Blaster have been around forever, and with good reason. These games, along with many more, find ways to teach your children basic skills in a fun and meaningful way. It is much easier to convince your child to do his or her homework if that homework is a computer game! Shop for games specific to your child's age, grade, or desired skill set.
- Instructional Programs or Games: Similar to the educational games mentioned above, these programs teach something in a fun way. Whether that be how to play guitar or how to type efficiently, there are plenty of instructional programs for whatever skill set you desire.
- Digital or Online Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Reference: It used to be that an encyclopedia was a 10+ book set that cost an arm and a leg and took up half of your book shelf. Now, these same reference books can be found in computer programs or online. Buy reference programs for your computer or discover where you can find them online.
3. Play Your Favorite Board Games and Card Games Online
Many of your favorite family games, from board games to card games, are now available for the computer. Gather round the computer to play a board game with your family! Many of these games have been developed to be exclusively digital, but many also integrate computer videos and activity with physical board game play. Both options are fun ways to engage your entire family with the computer at once.
4. Use the Internet to Share Family Memories or Keep in Touch
With the internet, email, and social media, it is now easier than ever to share your life with the world. Use your computer to update relatives and friends on what is going on with your family! Here are some easy ways how:
- Family Christmas Card: Why does your Christmas card have to go through the mail? Switch it up this year and send out a family e-card. Not only is this more efficient and cost-effective, but it is different and will allow your family to stand out in a fun way. You can even link to pictures or family updates to greater enhance the card's value.
- Share Photos and Upload Videos: Countless websites let you upload your personal photos and videos to share with whomever -- friends, family, the world! Take advantage of these websites to update the people in your life on family vacations, milestones, or everyday life. Just be aware that what you put on the internet, anyone can see. So alter your privacy settings and do not upload sensitive material.
- E-mail: Whether you set up one family e-mail account or personal accounts for everyone, e-mail allows you to keep in touch with the world. However, as with the rest of the internet, make sure you are aware of what kinds of e-mail your children are sending and receiving.
5. Make Sure that Your Computer is Secure!
When connected to the internet, computers can be vulnerable to all sorts of malicious software. Make sure to protect your computer with a reliable security software. Look for packages that include: anti-virus software, firewall protection, parental controls, privacy settings, and internet security.
6. Picking Out the Right Computer
Now that you know how to turn your computer into a valuable family resource, what kind of computer should you buy? What specifications and features do you need? Here are a few suggestions of what to look for when shopping for a home computer:
- Processor: If your computer is going to be used by multiple people who plan to run multiple programs, you are going to want a high speed processor. Aim for a relatively fast processor, but don't go for the fastest. A family computer does not need to have the highest speed processor and, in addition, these are generally more expensive as well.
- Memory: It is recommended to get at least 256 MB of RAM, but as RAM is generally inexpensive it is usually worth it to spring for 512 MB.
- Hard Drive Space: Take into account what will be saved on your computer. Will you have a lot of games or programs installed? Do you plan to store music? Shop for as much hard drive space as you are willing to pay for, but aim for at least 80GB. If you run out down the road, you can always purchase an external hard drive.
- CD-RW: In addition to playing CDs, CD-RW drives allow you to burn CDs. This will come in handy if you would like to make a mix CD or burn photos onto a disc for easy storage.
- Printer: If they don't have to already, eventually your kids are going to need to type papers and homework for school. Handing in hard copies of these assignments will require owning a printer. Printers are also useful for airline ticket printing, business card printing, flyer printing, and photo printing.
7. Treat Your Computer as a Supplement, Not a Replacement, for Real Life
Computers are becoming a handy tool for almost anything in life, but it is important to remember that they are not everything. Use your computer, but do not let it replace real family interaction, real books, or real communication. Monitor the amount of time your family uses the computer so that it does not overcome their lives and plan events, such as family dinners or game nights, to facilitate family bonding in a non-digital way.
When used correctly, computers are an important asset to family life. Begin browsing for HP desktop computers or Mirus computers here, or read some of our other related guides:
- Uses You Forgot Your Computer Had (Handy Guide to Computer Software)
- Guide to Choosing an External Hard Drive
