Here on Cyberhood Watch, one of the main focuses is to help both parents and their children understand the dangers of the Internet. Information and awareness are important, of course, but I am of a mind that no matter how skillfully and safely one uses the Internet, sometimes the mere act of using the Internet constantly threatens at least some of our faculties as thinking, breathing, loving human beings.

And this can have devastating consequences for children, who are just learning to use certain faculties that are in a developing stage. If your kids are always on the Internet, here are a few activities that can be just as stimulating.

1. Learning an instrument.

Learning an instrument is, for me, one of the most stimulating activities children can do, because almost every instrument engages several senses at once, something that the Internet does (which may explain why we are so addicted to it). Unlike the Internet, however, learning how to use an instrument well requires more than just time, it requires concentrated effort. In the end, when practice pays off, the pride and enjoyment that young minds feel is a joy to behold.

2. Taking care of a pet.

There comes a time in every child’s life in which she will want a pet. Many parents quickly dismiss this desire, simply because they know how much hard work it will be. However, entrusting children over the age of ten with a pet of their own develops both patience and responsibility. Of course, caring for a pet is something that needs supervision and guidance, but pets are definitely a great substitute for obsessive Internet use.

3. Playing a sport.

Just like learning an instrument, playing a sport engages several functions of both the body and mind at once. What’s more, having your children play a team sport is an excellent way to develop their social abilities beyond the friends they are already used to. Many children enjoy playing sports online, so if your kid is the type who is interested in competition and team playing, then enrolling your child in a team sport is the perfect way to go.

4. Starting a business.

Of course, to start a legitimate business is something is beyond the purview of children. At the same time, however, many enterprising young children learn quickly the fundamentals of monetary transactions by starting a simple business like a starting a lemonade stand or having a bake sale with friends. As old-fashioned as it sounds, you’d be surprised by how many kids find activities like this engaging and enjoyable.

Of course, no matter how many non-Internet activities your children participate in, the Internet will always form a big part of their lives, and there is no escaping this fact. But if your little digital natives are taking their Internet use to an extreme, it is your responsibility to teach them that there is more to life than a Wi-Fi connection.

By-line:  This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for best online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.

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Welcome to the March 27, 2010 edition of CyberHood Watch.

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Have you every been standing around the water cooler at your office, and listened to all the conversations? They pretty much go like this:

You know… if my manager would just listen to ME, if the Owner just did this or that, or the government would only just step-in and make this a law and fix IT, or even… my friends and family don’t understand, and if only our neighbors would not!

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There was a time, although I never experienced the event, of standing around a water cooler exchanging opinions with fellow co-workers. However, it’s a memory played out in my mind, which feels familiar, either from seeing it on television, books, or a magazine.

Picture a few employees enjoying the moment together around the water cooler. There is a mutual respect and a genuine interest for one another and their ideals. Invariably, the only few minutes they have is typically finalized with an, “if only” and “what if” comment. Many worlds and world industries have been saved because of the great so-called, water cooler questions: “if only” and “what if”.

Do employees even talk around the water coolers anymore…Today it’s IM – Twitter – Texting, but the idea of those water cooler question “if only” this manager, that department, the boss, the government would only do this, then everyone would be better off.

However, the CyberHood Watch Magic Wand is no trivial virtual stick. The combination of the CHW magic wand while in the possession of a CHWradio Authority Guest, like today’s guest, will dispense the magic of years of wisdom to empower our visitors for years to come.

At the close of the CHWradio show, The CyberHood Watch partners, Dave & Bill, present their guest with the CHW Magic Wand. Dave & Bill’s guest is presented an opportunity to verbalize that one change, anything, which will ultimately effect a positive outcome…What would your one change be?

Be sure you are holding the right end of the stick…A wand for those whose words are magic.

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Spend 25 minutes with us as we talk with Nancy A. McBride, National Safety Director for NCMEC about their new program called Take 25. It was created to heighten awareness about children’s safety issues. With a focus on prevention, the campaign encourages parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to spend time talking to kids and teaching them ways to be safer.

Take 25 was started to commemorate National Missing Children’s Day on May 25th. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan!

Click Media Player below, to listen to:

May 25th Is National Missing Children’s Day, Can You Spare 25?

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