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NHK last week had a story on the growing addiction to social media by teenagers, focusing on some boys and girls aged 15-17 who spend more than 7 hours a day online, ignoring school and their parents'

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Why do you assume it's a problem? Just because NHK said it was? If they've got the money, they've got the time, let them do with it what they want.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

( I may totally be missing the point since I could not watch such story, because there is no NHK here). Worldwide, the issue is the same. People are spending more and more time in front of the computer or television instead of doing other activities. Considering how stressful japanese education (school) can be, I am not impressed that some teenagers take refuge in online worlds or in television.

But even in my country people are often lead to spend a huge amount of their time in front of a screen. Look, you turn on the internet browser and you have everything, online television, online radio, online games, even digital books and music. While rejecting any of these would be pure nonsense given that mankind must move forward and not walk backwards, technologically speaking, we have allow ourselves to create this infatuation for thing we cannot touch, things that ain't real. Some people now rather play an online multiplayer first personal shooter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-person_shooter instead of going out for a walk, meet their friends ("distance" is a argument I have heard far too often) or attend to local events (even if these are free).

In the end, you cannot, and every parent should know, you musn't forbid your child of doing anything, as this works the way around: the forbidden fruit is always the most desired, even if simply because you forbid it. It is about talking, clearly and with a open mind that you can find out, why are they taking refuge from life, that, no matter how hard it is, we all must, if we want to survive, face it head on.

If these boys and girls spend more than 7 hours a day online, either the parents or teacher must try to reach to their hearts. Atleast that is my point of view, regardless of how incorrect it may sound to some...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm with gaijininfo on this.

I don't see how it's a problem either.

It's much better for them to be in front of a computer, actually communicating with someone than mindlessly staring at a TV or fiddling with a portable video game.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I think the key phrase was Ignoring school and their parents' pleas.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

This is a symptom of various problems; the decline of the family, elimination of corporal punishment in school and at home, increasing single-parent and dual-income households (leaving children alone and without supervision for hours), urbanization (rural kids with chores have less time on their hands for this activity) and the growing notion among parents that children should be treated as friends or equals. Of course, for many kids facing bullying (both at home by their parents and at school), it isn't as if the "real" world is a kinder, gentler place for them.

It's not the fault of technology but of the declining society. And this after only one generation of this technology as a haven from reality.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If my kids ever start spending too much time in front of the TV, video games, social networking, or whatever is around in 10-15 years instead of doing their homework, I'll do what my parents did:

Disconnect the dang things, tell them to finish their homework, show it as proof when done, and then look at the next chapters to get a leg up.

I don't think that's unreasonable. It's not as if I'm a "tiger" parent by forcing them to do 12 hours of schooling + extracurriculars + other mentally challenging things.

12 ( +12 / -1 )

Agree with Patrick and marcelito. Parents need to put their foot down and confiscate it or whatever until they do what needs to be done.

3 ( +3 / -1 )

Make a deal with them. You finish your homework and then you can play online. Simple. Society is all about deals, and it is good for children to learn about making and keeping deals.

5 ( +4 / -0 )

We are talking about 15-17 year olds, why dont we just let them enjoy their last few years of being a teenager? The time will come soon enough where they will have to deal with all the authoritarian rules and become a cubicle dweller until death like most of the rest of adults. It really wont matter what they do now. I know in my case nothing I ever studied in high school even helped me since then anyway, so they will all be fine. Enoy the day, chat with friends, play an online game, the days where they actually have time to do that are winding down.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Blacklabel.

That problem now exists even down to primary school age, my son is a 6th-grader and the same behaviour is now common among them. At my sons school they busted a group of kits because they were playing GTA(an adult rated game0

They can chat, play online but on the same tentacle also have to learn when to stop and do the work. Young adults that haven't learn that will have a very rough time to adjust to the business world and it is already a growing problem in the business world(i.e. too much facebook, Cel-phone texting and breaks to make calls).

We as the parents/adults are the guardians and guides and need to set the examples for them to follow.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I don't know if you're tech savvy enough to visit OpenDNS website, follow instructions, pay for basic service, set DNS to Wikipedia during study and put their phones in a jar. Done.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

PULL THE PLUGS ! ! !

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@sf2k

You don't even need OpenDNS to achieve that. Just turn off DNS (or set servers to 127.0.0.1) and enter wikipedia and other worthy addresses into the host file.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What can be done to deal with this problem?

Nothing. Let it be.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If it wasn' social media it would be something else. These are slackers. Not much you can do about it. Always been around, always will be.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@ItsMe Understand what you are saying. but do we need to make young kids "practice" work already? Just explain to them that once they get a job and have bills to pay, that of course things are going to change. No need to deprive them of thems now just to get them used to being deprived in the future?

For everyone: If you are going on vacation next week and have to get up early on that day to travel, do you make your kids get up early every day this week and pack their things? I think you tell them that next week they will have to get up early and pack, make them understand how it will be and then do it on that day, right?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Blacklabel.

Everything within moderation of course. is has a set sleeping time when the next day is a school-day. Other days he can stay up longer.

If there is a movie, program he wants that conflicts with his sleeping/studying time I DVR it for later perusal. Just an example. Don't have to be an all or nothing situation.

As for trips we do preparations little by little days ahead builds the anticipation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Blacklabel...I think you are missing the point. I don't know if you are a parent of a teenage child or not, but I'm betting you're not. As a parent you are supposed to set your children up for success. From the time they are young and first start playing sports, you take them to practices and spend time practicing with them. As they grow more mature you instill values into their lives which will aid them later on to become productive and happy adults. While you might not place any value on your education, there are many people who do utilize the skills the acquired in school to succeed later in life. While they may not use the content, the habits formed through good study habits and determination to do a good job will inevitably pay off.

You seem to think that you can allow a child to accumulate a lifetime of bad habits and just magically flip a switch one day and say "Presto! You are now grown up, act like it!" It does not work that way my friend...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Yeah confiscate the ipad and smartphones of course BUT we know that, the problem is the other 90%. Especially in Japan this is becoming a huge problem.

I worked at a restaurant and saw a client mom, dad and kid come in sit down and the DAD grabbed his DS and started gaming. The mom didnt say anything. Its really really bad. Sometimes I feel the Japanese need to re-educated about social awareness.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I also agree with Patrick and marcelito but I also think Blacklabel has a very good point. Japanese parents need to do a better job at......well, PARENTING!

But at the same time, think about how stressful life is in Japan once you enter the workforce (depends on occupation of course) and I really do think they should enjoy themselves as much as they can at that age. That is a magical time in one's life, can be terrifying and confusing too, but magical because you are discovering so many things out about life. Children should be allowed to enjoy themselves but parents need to step in where necessary to make sure their learning is not suffering. And Blacklabel, I do agree with you that a lot of what we learn in school turns out to be useless but the sad fact of life is we need to get through school and university to get those pieces of paper, if we want a chance of getting a good job. In Western countries I think it's a bit easier to be successful without going to uni/college but Japanese society is so fixed and structured according to what university, aka academic financial institution, you went to. Pretty sad too when you think about it................

3 ( +2 / -0 )

Do we really to ask what should be done? Take away the problem and voila, solved. The problems for teachers is that monster parents won't allow them to take Taro's keitai if he's using it in class - and teacher are scared they're going to get hit if they go for it. Thank the J parents for the issues here, not the kids.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Patrick and Marcelito and Tmarie had it right. It's amazing how people just don't see the obvious. 15-17? If you're feeding and clothing kids and paying for everything, you set the rules.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Look, to an extent, the argument has ALWAYS been the same, it's just the technology that changes. Our parents worried about the time we spent on computers and video game consoles when they came out, and their parents worried about how much time their kids spent in front of the boob-tube.

Now, that said, if they're missing school and not listening to their parents, that's a problem, with no easy fix. I dare say I would feel the urge to unplug and hide the things, but you read constantly about kids stabbing their parents for doing even less, so if the kids are really and truly addicted this is not the answer.

There's another thing to take into consideration as well -- the schools we went to ask kids don't have the same effect on kids today, and it's pretty clear the old-school way of packing 30 - 40 or more kids in a room and have them write down what the teacher says is just that -- old-school. Perhaps we should think about offering classes via digital media, where kids from around the world can 'attend' and participate, peer evaluating each other via social networking, and/or watching lectures via computer camera, uploading and downloading course material, the library literally at your fingertips, putting together power-point projects, etc. I'm not saying it should replace schools or anything, but just that it might be an alternative for those who are bullied and don't wish to go to school, or are too hooked on the tech to bother doing anything else. It's at least something education boards and the Ministry of Ed should be looking into more seriously, because we're heading that way in business already, so we may as well start teaching in a similar fashion.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

but you read constantly about kids stabbing their parents for doing even less, so if the kids are really and truly addicted this is not the answer.

But that's the issue Smith. Why do kids think they can get away with stabbing for not getting what they want? Lack of rules, lack of discipline. If you've got a kid addicted to the internet/ketai... who do you blame? I blame the parents. If Japan got off its behind and realised they have an issue with parenting something might be done. Get rid of this tech for young kids. It sickens me to see ele kids with keitais.

Japan has "free" schools for kids who can't or don't want to deal with reg hours. Those options ARE out there. Thing is, parents don't want to take those options because of the stigma that goes with them. They don't want the stigma or having a bad kid and being bad parents when clearly some are.

If mom can't put her damn phone down and watch over her kids at the park, how can we expect the kids to put their damn phones down and pay attention in school? We can't. The solution? Get rid of the crap.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

tmarie: "But that's the issue Smith. Why do kids think they can get away with stabbing for not getting what they want? Lack of rules, lack of discipline. If you've got a kid addicted to the internet/ketai... who do you blame? I blame the parents."

Well, you can blame the parents in part, for sure, but you've got to heap a helping of the blame on society as well. And I don't disagree with you -- what we are talking about is how to deal with kids who are presently in the situation, not those who have yet to get there. I'm with you 100% on not giving the kids too much of what they want too early, and having them work to get it themselves in one way or another. If/when I have a kid s/he's not getting a cell phone for ages, save perhaps one of those phones that can only be used to call for emergency and do nothing else.

"If mom can't put her damn phone down and watch over her kids at the park, how can we expect the kids to put their damn phones down and pay attention in school? "

Agree with you again, and hence once again say that a big problem with what's going on is society. As for getting rid of the stuff, I do often wish I could retire to some island with no technology, but it won't change the fact that barring some major disaster (which we would not likely survive) the tech is here to stay and will become even more pervasive in our lives. We just have to try and limit the damage.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Indeed society also needs to be blamed. I keep recalling Kozumi getting pissed off in the diet because so many of the men were playing games on their phones while in session. Personally I wanted the names released and the public to go mad and have them sacked - can't see me still haven't a job if I was on my phone at work. But this is Japan. Ignore, look the other way, scratch bum and wonder why things are the way they are. Reactive, not proactive.

I dislike tech but I use it. I"m on it now. However, there are societal "rules" I think that are clearly ignored here. Always have been. Show me a Japanese family that doesn't have the TV on during dinner and I'll give you a million dollars. Idiot parents raise idiot kids and hate to say it but with japan the way it is, they need someone to tell them what to do at all times it seems - and that includes parenting. I don't think it was always like this but has been now for at least a generation or two. No idea if it will change but until then, I'll tsk from the sides. And before anyone starts in about the west, yep issues but in most places mobiles are taken from students and not okay in the class. The same can't be said for here when they aren't taken because monster mommy will kick off and demand the teacher is fired. Then she'll wonder why Taro can't get unto a decent uni, can't find a job and has to live with them the rest of their lives...

1 ( +1 / -1 )

tmarie: Agree wit you completely, tmarie. The question posited for this thread was what do we do about it? I can think of a few things, but they would never have any action taken on them. The first and foremost is to give teachers more disciplinary power and not allow 'monster parents', a term that exists only here, to have any say in the matter. That'll never happen. The other would be, as you said, have families perhaps turn off the tube during dinner and talk, but I think it's pretty clear that'll never happen either.

In any case, these kids need to be sat down and talked to, with everything unplugged during the conversation. Not in any way that's threatening, but with a certain amount of respect while still being stern. Ask them to unplug just 'once in a while'. I think it would work for some, but not for others.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry, no more internet for you. And your smartphone? Gone!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is not a problem. Don't do anything as this is how I was meant to evolve; into to what I now think of as an alien. Give it a couple hundred thousand years my evolved ancestors will be fine.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Either ban them from using the PC at certain times, or get them a mobile with an internet lock. Simples.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I was a guilty teen, and I certainly regretted the prodigious amount of time wasted online. I wish I had used these weeks and years to pursue the other activities I enjoyed, travel, reading, music, etc., these did broaden my horizon and deepen my understanding of what goes on in the world, not social media nor online games. If only my parents had been more firm, and look here I am, wasting more time online!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think the key phrase was Ignoring school and their parents' pleas.

Then Mom shouldn't have bought them that game in the first place, or only given it to them with specific rules. Unless junior has dropped out of school, is gainfully employed, and plays video games in his free time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Only buy them a simple phone used to communicate with home and maybe 2 or 3 other important people. Don't hook up a TV. Have a different wi-fi password for everyday and when they complete their homework, they can have the code.Or if it is needed to do research, have a time limit and ask them to present the results to you. Lock up other game systems and give it to the kid as a reward for completing something. Kids have to learn that they need to work for their rewards because in the real world, nothing is handed to them on a silver platter.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pull the plug and then provide them with responsibilities in the "real world".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't recall ever receiving "please" from my parents or schoolteachers.

If I didn't have my homework done, there was no TV until it was done.

If a boy's homework wasn't done the next morning, Brother Nicholas would flog a sense of priorities into him.

A steep learning curve, but effective.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Pull the plug"

There are no plugs on smartphones.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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