DAMMAM, 18 November — Barbie dolls, remote-controlled cars and even videogames are fast becoming obsolete amusements for children. They are gradually fading and are being replaced by the Internet. There is a growing concern among parents around the globe about the influence of the Internet on their children.

Playgrounds are shrinking into a monitor and a keyboard. Soccer and cricket are shifting from playing fields to the computer screen. Children now depend more on the Internet than on lectures and teachers. To these Net-addicts, any information on a site is more credible and authentic than what is told to them.

For example, my son recently had to write an essay. He went to the website of a well-known encyclopedia and got some information. Some of the information was incorrect and I pointed this out to him; however, he was adamant that any information on the Internet was right. He put the incorrect information in his essay and was annoyed and shocked when his teacher challenged the information and gave him a low mark. He continued to insist that the information on the Internet was right and his teacher wrong.

This is not an isolated case. Children’s addiction to the Internet is on the increase; a survey in the United States revealed that a majority of children aged 12-18 spend three hours a day on the Internet. In comparison, time spent outdoors was only 30 minutes. A similar survey in India yielded similar findings.

It is disturbing to learn that of the three hours on the Internet, a major portion was spent on chat sites — where boys and girls talk freely on all subjects. A US study also revealed that most of the young people knew how to break through firewalls and gain access to sites not suitable for them. "Today a 10-year-old knows more about man-woman relationships than an 18-year-old knew 10 years ago, " said a psychiatrist at King Fahd University Hospital.

At the same time, she opposed a total restriction on Internet use and said that parents should act more as supervisors. "And most importantly, they should discuss all aspects of human relationships with their children before the children get confused. Why should children learn about these things from outside sources?"

Experts say that children’s over-dependence on the Internet may stifle their mental development. "Children tend to rely uncritically upon information on Internet sites and do not use their imagination and reasoning powers," said a Dammam school principal. "What they have to realize is that the Internet is a human creation and they should control the Net and not the other way round. There are suggestions for changes in the present education system with the new system conforming to the IT revolution. Simply introducing computers into the schools will not serve the purpose. A student has to be taught how to use and evaluate the Internet."

Health experts have also expressed concern over excessive Internet use by children. "The Internet may impede their natural physical and mental growth," commented one doctor. She said cases of weak eyes are on the increase among children. Many of the cases result from children’s sitting for hours in front of a computer or a TV. In addition, the doctor said it is now confirmed that excessive computer use causes stress. No doubt the Internet is 21st century technology and cannot be neglected. Though a child must be encouraged to use it and benefit from it, parental guidance and supervision remains vital and necessary.