Are you aware of what your child does online? We live in a day and age where most kids know more than we do when it comes to technology, or so it seems. I know, in my own house, my kids are wanting to be on every website; they are begging for a cell phone to text their friends; and no matter how many times I talk to them about why they may not have the same liberties that their friends do, but in their eyes, I’m the unfair mom…and I’m OK with that. The book, Reconstructing Amelia really opened my eyes.
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Reconstructing Amelia
I recently finished a fabulous book…Reconstructing Amelia
This is a book that I think that most of us with kids can relate to. It’s about a single mother who is at the height of her career and her daughter Amelia who gets caught up in a secret club at her private school. Tragedy strikes and Amelia’s mother is left picking up the pieces and trying to figure things out and what exactly happened. You see, Amelia’s mother always trusted her daughter to make the appropriate decisions and choices when it came to her life, especially her online life. She soon realized that had been a big mistake.
Why Did I like it so much?
This book really resonated with me because, like I said earlier, my son feels that I am completely unfair when it comes to what he is allowed to do online. The kids have a computer. They are allowed to go on approved websites. However, what they are not allowed to do is freely search YouTube, have their own Facebook page or any other social media account, and everything they do online is subject to my search. I check history on both the computer and iPad; I read text messages on the iPad; and most importantly, I do not hide the fact that I do that. After reading this book, I feel I am absolutely doing the right thing for my kids.
What Are Your Kids doing online?
So…I ask, do you know what your kids are doing online at all times? Do you check up on them? Or do you allow them free rein to make the choices that they feel are OK for them? Please let me know what you all have to say on this topic. But no matter what your stance on this topic is, please go read Reconstructing Amelia. It really is a good book!
It does sound like a good book. Parker doesn’t have access to the internet and there’s a special app that we have that let’s him watch g-rated Minecraft videos (he’s 8). As he gets older, I’m definitely freaked out by the dangers, but we’ll deal with it using open communication and hopefully can teach him how to be safe.
My kids are still very monitored with their online activities. I won’t let them get on the computer without me close by. I also keep close tabs on what websites they use. Now when they get older, I won’t be as strict over it.
My daughter is too young to be on the computer – but I’m already grappling with how we will handle this issue. Her safety is number one though – so I imagine we will err on the conservative side. Sounds like a really interesting book!
Sounds like an eye-opening book for parents. We don’t restrict our kids as much as we probably should but I do monitor what they’re doing and will not allow my 13 year old to have a cell phone yet. He’s just not mature enough.
It definitely makes you stop and think.
I am definitely the mean mom. My son tells me all the time that EVERYONE he knows has a facebook and that it is so uncool of me to not let him have one. I just worry. I have seen too many news articles with sad endings.
Great question..with the little ones I do know what they are looking at and doing online.
With the oldest it’s a little harder as she hides away in her room to do her homework.
{shes’ 20}. We keep the computer in the kitchen so I can keep an eye on things and thankfully they don’t know how to send messages yet.
A conversation for down the road for sure.
Thankfully mine aren’t old enough to use the internet yet. That day is coming soon!