says Torill.
What nonsense. It is true that kids are not typically out roaming the streets as much as they used to, thereby denying children the space to explore where adults can't follow. Why? Is it because everyday, we learn from media outlets how dangerous our neighborhoods are (shootings, rape, theft, accidents, kidnapping), or we read about research that either deem playgrounds unsafe, bikes and toys unfit, sun too warm, rain too wet, or otherwise tells us that we should put our kids in after-schools or enroll them in activities that are good for their future careers? In MA, it is not even legal to let your child under 12 be on their own: It is true that we live in a society that is much more controlling. We'd rather make sure the kids get proper instruction in whatever their interests are (sports clubs etc) than let them learn games on the street with their peers, and this is arguable not a favorable development.
But when Torill argues that computer games lets us control our children, I couldn't disagree more: Where, but in the deepest of our minds, can nobody else go?
There is always somewhere to escape as long as you are able to use your imagination. Nobody controls your fantasies. And neither should they.
"The children are quiet and within your view" says Torill, about kids spending time on their computer. But every parent knows that silent children are not always good news - this is exactly the time when you'd want to pay attention. It is a wonderful thing that you can expand your world via the computer. Mr. 12 plays games online with Norwegian kids, and this helps him keep in touch with his culture. But let me tell you this: I do NOT feel that I am in control here. He is physically safe, and in my view, and perhaps I can also use this and that software to deny him access to sites I don't want him to see. There again, perhaps he can hack this software. Why would this surprise me? This is what kids love to do - push any border they are faced with, go places they are denied. Who can blame them? What my mr. 12 is learning and who he is interacting with is not always within my control. Least of all in the digital world. The problem is not that children are doing exactly this - the problem is how they execute their new knowledge. Are they trying to meet people from online? Are they hacking into sites? What are they doing, exactly, with the fantasies they foster in their gaming environments? The computer today is the most useful tool to create secret spaces in an otherwise controlled environment: This should come as no surprise to anyone who has an e-mail account, a gaming account, or a chat device on their computer.
As parents, we need to educate our kids about what is right and wrong in any environment, not restrict them too much in exploring either the physical or digital world. There will always be secret rooms for kids to find: It is no secret that whatever borders we adults try to control, children's imagination will always be greater than ours.
