Well, it would seem to me that as intractable as kids are by adolescence, adults are even more so. That being said, it's unlikely you'll change your mind. However, here are a few points to consider. First, whatever you choose to do, be honest about it. If you don't trust them enough to leave them to their own devices, tell them as much rather than try and hide behind some sort of weak semantic spin (there's nothing worse than your parents saying they think you're responsible but then treating you differently). Being honest about this will make them more likely to try and earn your trust rather than foster a blinding rage.
My personal thoughts on this are that by that age, your effect of your words on their values is minimal. Put in another way, what you say to them doesn't affect them so much as the example you set. Bearing that in mind, I think you should leave them be on the net, but make a few requests of them that are reasonable.
1.Don't do illegal things. Explain that if they do, it comes down on YOUR head. Anyone can understand why doing that would be wrong.
2.Don't meet people in person you've only met on the net. If they really want to, have them allow you to at least get to know the other person a little. It's dangerous otherwise and again, just plain common sense.
3.Use it recreationally in your spare time. And spare time means spare time. Don't invent things for them to do when they've done their work just because you are afraid of them using the computer.
("Have you done all your homework?" "Yes" "Then why not do something for your other classes?" "I finished all the work for those too." "Then why don't you study for a test or something?" "I'm getting an A in the class" "Then.... go read the textbook over again") --- everybody has had something like this happen to them once and face it, no matter what the intentions are, it's frustrating B.S. at any age.
And last but not least, it's hard being a parent because there's no set thing to do. So just do what you think is right. Good luck!
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Well, it would seem to me that as intractable as kids are by adolescence, adults are even more so. That being said, it's unlikely you'll change your mind. However, here are a few points to consider. First, whatever you choose to do, be honest about it. If you don't trust them enough to leave them to their own devices, tell them as much rather than try and hide behind some sort of weak semantic spin (there's nothing worse than your parents saying they think you're responsible but then treating you differently). Being honest about this will make them more likely to try and earn your trust rather than foster a blinding rage. My personal thoughts on this are that by that age, your effect of your words on their values is minimal. Put in another way, what you say to them doesn't affect them so much as the example you set. Bearing that in mind, I think you should leave them be on the net, but make a few requests of them that are reasonable. 1.Don't do illegal things. Explain that if they do, it comes down on YOUR head. Anyone can understand why doing that would be wrong. 2.Don't meet people in person you've only met on the net. If they really want to, have them allow you to at least get to know the other person a little. It's dangerous otherwise and again, just plain common sense. 3.Use it recreationally in your spare time. And spare time means spare time. Don't invent things for them to do when they've done their work just because you are afraid of them using the computer. ("Have you done all your homework?" "Yes" "Then why not do something for your other classes?" "I finished all the work for those too." "Then why don't you study for a test or something?" "I'm getting an A in the class" "Then.... go read the textbook over again") --- everybody has had something like this happen to them once and face it, no matter what the intentions are, it's frustrating B.S. at any age. And last but not least, it's hard being a parent because there's no set thing to do. So just do what you think is right. Good luck!