Killing My 8 Year Old's Fun!

As we were leaving the house this morning, my 8 year old daughter, Ireland, announced that she was

so excited that she found a new "free game" on her Kindle.  It is a game where she can "chat" with other people.  Instantaneously, my ears perked up and I promptly freaked out. "Ireland, you can't just start chatting with other people on the internet." I explained.  "You don't know if those people are other children or freaks who want to kidnap and kill you." I continued.  I don't humor my children with flowery fantasies about how the world works.  If my girls really have a reason to be worried, I want them to know that they SHOULD be worried.  Be cautious.  Be wise.

Ireland promptly informed me, in an annoying, pre-teen-ish tone, "You always kill my fun!" To which I responded, "It's better than being killed, isn't it?"

Not too long after this conversation, Ireland admitted that I was right and deleted the application from her Kindle.  The interaction made me realize how important it is to keep a better eye on the games and applications my two youngest download on their electronic devices though.  No matter how much we think we have a handle on what our kids are doing on-line, there is ALWAYS room for improvement.  I, for one, will be keeping a closer eye on my 8 year old's on-line experience.

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Best,

Heather Ryan
Iowa Parent