Are kids really reading online?

(Admittedly, haven't read any other replies) It's not so much the internet to blame as it is the specific content being accessed. There was a time when TV was blamed for various things, but when you review everything, it has greatly to do with what is being watched. Same goes with the internet--if all you do is chat and participate in social websites, then you can't really expect to put your vocabulary to good use, nor can you expect to learn much more; but, it is possible to read novels online (Literature.org, for example, has the entire Sherlock Holmes series, free to access).

Also, you can't put all of the blame on the internet. Where are the parents that are allowing their children to waste time online instead of study? Where are the parents who sit down with their children and review vocabulary words to help encourage their children to expand their vocab? It seems to me like they're becoming more and more scarce; either the parents are claiming to have no time, or they simply expect the schools to deal with it all.

Parents can help their children by FORCING them to get off the internet and go outside and play, go to the library, or even pick up a good book and read. We had internet when I was in HS, but you would commonly find my mother and myself sitting outside on nice days after chores, each of us with a book.

My children both love to play games, some of which are online. Yet, their vocabulary hasn't suffered at all from it. The reason for this is because of parental interaction.

That's really what this debate, and numerous others concerning children well-being, boils down to.

The debate continues:
Internet Reading: Speeding Us Up by Dumbing Us Down?
www.kcrw.com/news/programs/tp/tp080801internet_reading_spe

I think there's no substitute for a great book, because books and stories require children to think critically. It's also important that children read texts that will expand their vocabulary--texts that use the "rare words" not heard in conversations with friends or on social networking sites.

That said, the Internet can be a terrific source for fiction and fact, as well as a place to publish your own writings.

Parents worried about kids reading too much online should ask and answer questions about what they're reading. Encourage them to read news sites that will expand their vocabulary and world knowledge. Ask questions that require them to think deeply, develop opinions and define their identity.

sorry --- I didnt actually read anyone elses answers at the time, I didnt mean to discount your arguements. Actually it was a very good one at that. =) There are many websites aimed to help children with different reading strategies and things of that nature. Now, if the children are aware of these websites and actually using them to their benefit that would be great.

After almost reading the entire article (albeit, I stopped at the end of page 3), what stuck out in my mind was how some countries are dealing with students and internet reading/testing. This idea sort of falls into the other question in the Community of how we help our children compete in the global marketplace. It seems that some other countries embrace the internet quicker than the U.S.

For my two kids, I encourage reading books. And it shouldn't become a "lost art."

However, the internet is a great way to do research, and, it opens the world up to all. Our world is changing so fast, and the internet keeps up with those changes. Also, many of our schools use outdated books in the classroom. Using the internet, in addition to up-to-date books, can only benefit our children.

Using technology in a wise manner can only benefit our children, and our future.