This pages received excellent Feedback on StumbleUpon.
Came across a page mentioning a 16 year old girl power user on StumbleUpon. I read interested in what defines a StumleUpon power user and read the most disturbing part of the interview:
Some of my friends on StumbleUpon are ferusvulpes, FATCATdagg, anahey, StormJosh, zspada15, SantaGauss, pkirsch, and you.
Those are not your friends girl, they are acquaintances at most! Friends are those you can touch, those you know in real life, those who support you, those you talk to and stand by you in harsh times. Those who guide you and take you as you are. Those who care for you with no hidden agenda. Those are friends! The online friends are nicknames on your computer screen … that type and may have a hidden agenda worse then real friends (heads up about online predators and safety)!
This girl is a power user at 16 years. Whe she should be going out, staying with friends, playing outside and socializing in real reality she … Stumbles! This girl is not the only one, I see 'scary movies' of kids on YouTube, who instead of going out and doing kids' stuff video record themselves.
I'm lucky as I had my childhood on the very edge of modern society. By modern I mean computers and virtual life. I went out and played, had many friends, ran all day, football, swimming, pulling girls' hair, deflating tires and all the stuff you do as a kid. And those were great times! I look at my 6 year younger brother. When he's not at the computer he's outside wasting time sitting on concrete with a bunch of smoking loosers (17-18 yr olds) he calls friends.
These kids do not know what playing means, they never saw a foot ball (metaphorically). All they do is sit around, drink Coca Cola / Beer and smoke … and say bad (really lame) jokes.
Came across a story on WebMasterWorld about a ClubPenguin where kids play in a virtual environment. And someone was saying: I found clubpenguin via miniclip 12 months ago while looking for a fun flash game for my 4 year old to play - a year later, he still wants to play everyday, and everyday I hear "when can I be a member?".. A 4-6year old should not spend hours in front of the computer. Let's not think social here, it's worse: health! Parents love the fact they keep children on close watch and busy and overlook other important / vital aspects. Better call 5 friends around or send him to kindergarten. It's best on the long term.
As we all know Japan has over 1.000.000 kids that never leave their rooms. They have virtual friends, play computer games and sending them out to interact with real kids has the same effect as kicking a pet cat in a rainy, dog pound. They lost touch with reality and it's getting worse.
These kids will feel lonely even if they chat all day on Y!Messenger. You can reject loneliness at a conscious level but deep down it will break you. Lack of real friends and social life can break the strongest minds so think about the effect on the weak.
Send you kids out to play. Play with them. Help them be good at socializing and making friends. Make time (any time) for them. Talk to them. Be their friends too. If you're not into child / adult psychology you should hit Amazon.com and find some books. They help you understand more if you don't have the native features :)
And again … learn your kids to play! Don't let them grow old before time. We got a life ahead for growing old. Only a few years to be young!
