Last week I went to a presentation sponsored by the YWCA Parent Awareness titled “Everything You Want To Know About Gaming.., But Are Afraid To Ask: The good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Luke Forshaw, assistant principal of Ox Ridge and former head of technology for the Darien School System, led the presentation and discussion. The Ox Ridge common room was filled with concerned parents desperate to find out if their child’s interest in video games (ranging from fascination to flat out addiction) was “normal” or “okay”.  

Mr. Forshaw provided excellent, detailed information based on numerous controlled case studies, psychologists reports, and his own experience as an educator. As it turns out, all the studies concerning video games affect on children seem to come to the conclusion that the age-old adage of “All Things in Moderation” prevails. Two hours of screen time (console, computer, iPod, iPad, TV etc) seem to be the suggested healthy daily allotment for school age children.    

Now that my fear of video games warping my children’s developing brains has been allayed, I am still worried about the potential evils and perils of Facebook and Social Media. Luckily, YWCA Parent Awareness and Middlesex Middle School Parent Association are presenting “Facebook and Social Media: What Your Kids Already Know” this Wednesday January 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the Middlesex Middle School auditorium.   

I have this uneasy feeling that the danger potential social media provides makes even the most violent video games look tame. Furthermore, I know my kids already know more than I do about Facebook (and to some extent technology in general) so I could definitely use some assistance in leveling the playing field.