家长们阻止孩子过度上网玩游戏

　　如果把因特网和其他数字技术都看作是食物的话，那一定要控制好数字卡路里的摄入量，千万别吃过量。

　　这个建议适用于那些专门研究儿童使用电子产品方面的人，以及那些希望以更健康的方式使用某些技术的父母和孩子们。

　　Joan Ganz Cooney中心的主管迈克尔·莱文的研究方向为媒体与学习的关系，他认为父母们应该花时间来评定某一个网页是否具有清晰地教育意义。同时他建议父母们应该控制好孩子们用电脑的时间，使他们用电脑来学习的时间保持在一半以上。

　　迈克尔·莱文说“年轻人使用技术的最主要目的是用来娱乐，但这需要保持平衡”。

　　维吉·里德奥特为Kaiser家庭基金做了充分的关于媒体与健康方面的研究，他说在学习时关闭聊天工具和娱乐软件是非常必须的，“把聊天窗口和Facebook对孩子们的影响降到最低”。

　　一些专家认为家长应该以身作则。

　　Common Sense Media公司的主要功能是为组建家庭媒体环境提供技术支持，该公司的策划主席利兹。珀尔说“你（父母——译者注）自己在家庭中的角色是什么？是不是你自己都一直沉迷在玩黑莓手机的在线游戏里？是不是你也频繁的使用Facebook？”

　　珀尔女士建议低龄儿童的家长们不要让孩子一直沉溺于屏幕，比如为了让他们在旅馆里保持安静而塞给他们一个iPhone，同时年龄稍大一点的孩子也最好只拥有一部具有最基本功能的手机用来通信，不要给他们那种智能手机或是软件能够升级的手机。

　　珀尔女士认为应该主动培养那些大一点的孩子懂得自己的责任。例如让他们问自己这样的问题：“谁才是主人？我还是面前的电子产品？我要忍受游戏对我发号施令吗？”

　　译文：

　　Think of the Internet and other digital technology as food. Limit the intake of empty digital calories, and do not consume too much over all.

　　That is the advice of experts who study children’s use of media and who have some tips for parents and children on how to use technology in more healthful ways.

　　Michael Levine, executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, which studies media and learning, said parents should take the time to assess whether a Web site or game had clear educational value. Then, he suggested, tip the balance so that 50 percent of a child’s computer time is spent on activities that teach.

　　“The primary use of technology by young people is for entertainment,” he said. “There needs to be a more balanced diet.”

　　Vicky Rideout, a researcher who has overseen studies on media and health for the Kaiser Family Foundation, said it was crucial to limit multitasking and entertainment while studying. “Don’t have the instant-messaging function open. Don’t have Facebook open,” she said. “Put that challenge out to the kids.”

　　Some of the expert advice focuses on the example set by parents.

　　“What kind of role model are you?” asked Liz Perle, editor in chief of Common Sense Media, which helps families navigate a media-saturated world. “Are you constantly on your BlackBerry, play online games regularly — are you addicted to Facebook, too?”

　　Ms. Perle urged parents of younger children not to constantly entertain them with screens, like giving them the iPhone to quiet them in a restaurant. And older children should be given basic phones for talking and texting, not smartphones that can be loaded with applications.

　　Eventually, Ms. Perle said, older children must take responsibility. She suggested they ask questions like those asked by people with addictions: “Who is in control? Me, or the technology? Is the game calling the shots?”