(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-12-14 19:24

Moderator: So now let's look at the questions posted by our netizens. In China some parents don’t buy computers for their children so that they can avoid Internet addiction. Do you think this is a good method?

Mrs Leavitt: Parents have to make the choices that they feel are best for their own children. With I Keep Safe, we do make suggestions about computers that are in homes and time limits for Internet cafes.

Mrs Leavitt: We have some suggestions. In this book there is a page written by an expert, Dr. Kimberly Yang, who works with Internet addiction to give parents suggestions if they are concerned about Internet addiction. What they might do; what they can watch for.

Moderator: How do you define Internet addiction in the United States. Is it reflected by physical or mental conditions?

Mrs Leavitt: A medical doctor could give the very precise description. In fact, in the United States they call it "addictive behavior." But the first concern would be if a parent sees that Internet use is affecting a child's real life in a negative way, then it is time to address the issue.

Moderator: Let's come back to the questions raised by our netizens. One of the questions is what are the targets for young American peoples' websites? How do you view the classification of websites?

Mrs Leavitt: I'm not sure if we are talking about social profiling websites, websites to go and get information, and there are different types of websites. As far as classifications, there would be several different types of websites that teens go to, but they do a lot of communicating back and forth online particularly.

Mrs Leavitt: In secondary school in the United States, about two thirds of the classes require some Internet work or work that is helpful if they go on the Internet for their homework, so they do need those skills.

Moderator: One netizen asked the question: "I really love cyber games, but I don't think it has affected my real life, so I don't know if I'm addicted or not."

Mrs Leavitt: Well, if it hasn't affected their real life, they probably have a good balance. In the book – it is for younger, as I mentioned, elementary school – when Faux Paw has the adventure, after Faux Paw gets hooked on games and nearly misses a responsibility, Faux Paw says it's ok to play to online games and to chat and to surf the Net, but you don't want it to take over your real life. You have to do it in a healthy way. Maybe this individual is just using it in a balanced way.

Moderator: One point we talk about in educational discussions is setting time limits. That would be very helpful for this person or parents to know that they can set time limits, and if those are respected, then it's within bounds; it would be appropriate. Maybe set a rule: after homework, after practicing the piano. There can be an appropriate time length that can be healthy.

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