December 22, 2008
The Internet holds a wealth of knowledge. But sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Between WebMD-diagnosed diseases and neighborhood sex offender sites, Rebecca Woolf of Girl's Gone Child wonders, Is the Internet turning us all into a bunch of paranoid parents?
How does the Internet affect your parenting? Have you found the Web to be mostly harmful or helpful? Join the Momversation by commenting below or in one of our related forums:
Share This:
Best of Momversation
Did You Take Your Husband's Name?
Some women still get disapproving looks when they state that they didn't take their husband's last name. …
Childfree by Choice
There's a growing movement across the blogosphere of people who have chosen to remain childless. …
Is Circumcision Wrong?
It's a tough decision that every American mother of a baby boy has to make: to circumcise or not…
Are You Concerned About Vaccinations?
When you hear the word "vaccine," do you immediately think of the word "autism?" …
Favorite Quotes
Alice
On behalf of the parents of autistic children I know, Jenny McCarthy can go &*$% herself.
Doctors or Parents: Who Do You Trust More?
Asha
I can't plan anything a year in advance. I certainly can't plan 365 meals, nor would I ever want to.
Meal Planning for a Year: Crazy Talk?
Dana
We've been conditioned to think that only one way is acceptable.
Life Experiences: Do They Count as Education?
Daphne
My husband is not Mr. Romantic, but that's OK because he can fix the tires on a stroller.
Valentine's Day: Is It Important to You?
Giyen
Sometimes it works out great, and sometimes she wants the $195 flat iron.
Thankful: How Do You Teach Your Kids to Be Grateful?
Heather
Heather, it's going to be your duty to teach our daughter about her cheeseburger.
Private Parts: Do You Have Cutesy Names for Them?
Heather
When you have something wrong with your child's health, a lot of parents need to cling to something.
Vaccines and Autism: Debate Over?
Jessica
The reality is if you have kids at your house often enough, the accidents will happen.
Accidents Happen: When Someone Else's Kid Gets Hurt on Your Watch
Karen
My husband is the gadgety person. My God, that man has gadgets. And they never work. What is that?
Gotta-Have Gadget: What's Yours?
Maggie
Your 6 week old is not interested in anything but light and shadow.
Mindy
Americans eat too much. Eat half!
Rebecca
What I really want to accomplish is raising children who are advocates for themselves.
Categories
Stay up-to-date on the Momversation by subscribing to our RSS feeds and joining our weekly newsletter.
Stay informed on our latest news!
11 Comments
nice video
web design company, web designer, web design India,website design,web design Vijayinfo professional web site designer. Go for Custom web site design at affordable price and be unique. Leading web site company in India. Seo services.
Fri, 2009-01-16 22:05
As a television producer I've used the internet for research ever since Al Gore "invented" it. On one hand it's great for quick information but like everything you read it's important to take it with a grain of salt. Sure, as a mom I google stuff but I also read tons of books and magazines and ask lots of questions. Then I take the best answers and go from there!
Tracy
http://themoxiereport.blogspot.com
Fri, 2008-12-26 19:18
I don't think it's that the internet has too much information; it's that we allow ourselves to obsess over every piece of it available. The internet offers every side of the spectrum, so if you think about it, the internet is like a really good "girlfriend"; she tells you exactly what you want to hear. If you're like me, you go to the friend who will give you the advice you think you need.
If we just keep in mind that we can find a supporting argument for whatever we're looking up, then hopefully we'll be a little less freaked out when we come across something fatal.
Take the info with a grain of salt and then go to the doctor like you've always done.
Tue, 2008-12-23 21:17
Thank goodness for parenting controls & safe settings. It's not that I have the time to actually follow my daughter's trail, but I have informed her that I can if I need to. This has seemed to work fine until today when I found one of her searches on "YOU TUBE" of naked pictures of Miley Cyrus. She had put in the words "nakey miley." She got the idea from gossip mag covers at the grocery store . . . now if there as only a way to control those . . .
On top of that, I just say if you think it's bad here, go to Spain! You'll be thankful you don't have XXX porn on public access TV channels after 11 pm!
Tue, 2008-12-23 15:00
The internet is definitely my link to the medical world. Whenever my son had a symptom that I worry about, there I am logging online and finding out all about the "Why" and the "What". I mean, the doctor is not there for me 24/7 like the internet can be. My husband definitely thinks that it makes me paranoid. But he will be the first one to ask me what I read on the internet about a symptom my son has. Since my second son was born, 7 days ago, I've already googled stuff several times (when he pooped too much, when he pooped too little, his congested nose, his refux...). It never ends. Yes, it makes me more paranoid, but don't take the technology away from me. It also comforts me when I think something might be seriously wrong and then read how normal it really is.
Tue, 2008-12-23 13:34
I feel like the Internet has actually made me a better mom. When I was a teenager, my mom had NO IDEA what I was doing (whew) but now I have a Facebook page, I have my daughter's MySpace password, I can email her from work or text her from where ever to immediately connect with her. (a few moms before me made mention of negative comments ans elf-esteem. The people who do this would do it at school or at dances, so I handle it the same way. An up-side of negative comments is that her friends completely rally to her defense and bombard the idiot who is being rude.) I can google slang words she uses, boys she wants to date, the music that she listens to. Um, I sound like a crazed stalker-parent (THAT mom who can't let go) but I'm not. Because I know, I can relax. Because she is a breath away from contacting me if her date is being an ass or her car breaks down, I can breathe and watch House and be able to pay attention while she's out. When my stepson started having skin problems, I could research before we went to the doctor and have some understanding so I didn't feel like a moron. The Internet certainly has its limitations and negatives, but what doesn't? Just because car accidents happen, I don't see us all buying horses and buggies. Just like anything else, it's what you do with it.
Tue, 2008-12-23 07:36
When my oldest daughter was three, prior to WebMD type sites, I had a huge medical book for parents. There have been a few times that I was right and the doctor was wrong. I did the same research then as I do now because doctors don't know it all and aren't always right. Just now it is easier and quicker for me. I do visit Megan's Law website since there are three people in our neighborhood. One being a 4th grade teacher's husband in my youngest daughter's school. As far as MySpace type of sites, I don't think they are good for children. I don't let either of my girls on those sites nor do I allow them to blog. I don't think children are emontionally ready to handle negative situtaions of that type. If you come on my site and put me down, tear up my thoughts and views and call me names. I'll just delete you and ban your IP and go on with my day. A child/teenager won't let go of it that easy and take it to heart. I do watch over my girls internet usage. Our wireless internet turns off at 8:00pm and I have a background keystroke program running on their laptops.
Tue, 2008-12-23 05:11
When I first began raising my children as a single parent, I was glued to Web MD whenever any of my kids came home with a symptom. I jumped to every conclusion possible and I could relate to the the comment made by Mightygirl.
On pareting teenagers, I can only say that the invention of MySpace has made my job as a parent even more difficult when it comes to keeping my daughter emotionally balanced. I am reminded on how mean some teenage girls are to each other and the "populatrity" contests are now showcased on the internet with such mediums as MySpace.
Mon, 2008-12-22 16:39
The internet has the good and the bad... I am very grateful that the internet is here for me as a parent since here in Canada Pediatricians are hard to come by; and when you actually get an apointment when your child is sick they tell you all is ok until you find yourself at the hospital with a pooping-throwupy-baby (that actually happened to me)... at least then you can check to see whats up.. then again I grew up in a country (Haiti) where hardly anyone has access to electricity let alone the internet so I am not that attached to it
Mon, 2008-12-22 13:55
I think I'll be linking to this on my blog :) One of the reasons I started writing was to try and document what challenges we (the iGeneration, and anyone parenting in this age) face as technology increases exponentially. Now, especially, with a weak economy, I'm interested to see how our priorities will surface... and how technology fares!
This is the age of information - we can Google anything from "Should my baby's poop be blue?" to "What is attachment parenting"? And often, the information we find weighs heavily in our decision.
Great topic - thanks for covering it!
Mon, 2008-12-22 13:21
I remember the first time I google-MDed my son. He had a large lump in his cheek from the day he was born and no one was concerned- except me. I did all the research, completely freaked myself out and finally the pediatrician consented to getting an MRI.
I was right. It was a tumor, but thank God it was benign.
The internet is wonderful, but you have to remember that you have to balance it with a bit of reality as well.
Not every rash is deadly, not every delay means autism.
Good topic and nice video ladies!
Mon, 2008-12-22 09:20