No doubt the parents have a reason for what they said, Freedom Issues. You don't want to waste too much time on the net or even on the computer and risk being a full blown nerd, falling into the WOW or Everquest crowd! Moderation is the key!

They may be worried about you meeting a "questionable" figure off the internet and are worried. Don't bypass family events just to be on the PC, when that becomes a problem you know your hooked.

My parents hate me on the internet I love it Although I admit to spending too much time on it and my grades are suffering because of it My parents say 2hrs max I say 4 hrs week days

Your parents are concerned that your young mind may be warped by old reprobates like me...and sm00z...(lol). Just assure them that you are mature enough to see through the BS. (wink)

Balance dude. I spend a lot of time on the net for work school and fun and it is easy to live the online life. However you have to balance it do you turn down opportunities to hang with real friends? do you have real friends? how would going with out access to the net for a few days affect you? These are the questions you need to consider. My husband is a WOW player and plays EVE too and let me tell you that gave me pause before we got engaged but he is good about planning real life things to do and if I say hey can we do blah blah he is really good about not being ridiculous about missing WOW it is a balance. If you are younger and at home and this is where your parents are pointing it out they are probably concerned that they do not see you enough and what kind of people you are interacting with. I recommend to try and spend a little more time with the old folks ( i know not too cool but when you get older you will be glad) and with out poping that wonderful teen tude reassuring them that you are safe in your online activities ( and actually be safe).

It totally depends upon your motives, from my point of view. Mine are to learn, to share what I know when I can, and to make friends. That's it. But some get on here and troll around for "love"..some are liars and pretend all kinds of stuff and hook people with who they pretend to be and then attack 'em. Some have lousy lives and use this as an escape hatch to sanity. It depends upon the stability, calm, centeredness and logic of the person who is here..the loose cannons will be loose canons everywhere. The "woe is me pity me" crowd are undoubtedly the same in the real world. It all depends on you! :) Happy Wednesday! :)

Follow your joy. If you err, and you are intelligent, you will learn. If you aren't in error ---as the two Steves and Bill Gates likely got flak for the time they spent on computers ---then you are at least closer to your joy. Best wishes. ;-)

Yes definitely. I spend way too much time here (but I don't know why!) It seriously gets in the way of all the other things I have to do - so they don't get done. Learn to make money with your computer, if you make enough to support yourself then they can't complain about that. On the plus side, AB has improved my typing considerably!

I cannot say objectively. Ask my wife ;) Seriously though, it can take it's toll on relationships and responsibilities "outside the box".

Could likely substitute any number of things into that sentence for the phrase "virtual world". Insert whatever a parent sees their son or daughter doing with a big percentage of their time. Thus, their worry level increases. They want to see "balance" and in the case of online stuff .. depending on age .. worry about RL social relationships .. friends, family, even dating and such. In other words, there's some of the "to be expected" in their stress levels. But "virtual world" implies you're by yourself when on the computer .. and potentially substituing "virtual relationships" for "real ones". (Now keep in mind, I think it's possible to have BOTH in our lives .. but then .. what do I know? lol) -- But so much depends on your age - your history - your own motivations, personality, things you do when online (and why) - any of which only YOU really know the answer about. Time online connecting, growing or time online causing harm to yourself or others - two completely different things! -- The thing is ... I think whoever and whatever you are is evident in real life .. and "eventually" comes out online as well. Already commented that I liked Rosie's "it depends" answer. But after all is said and done .. look inside yourself and you'll know if you're "over the line" or not. And .. wouldn't hurt to reassure your loved ones that's all's well .. just as you'ld want them to do for you if you saw "them" in what you thought might be an isolated place. You just want to know they're ok. Ditto .. they for you. -- Good question, btw. :)

just leave a bread crumb trail so you can find your way back. lol!!

Everything in moderation......

I'm sure being on it all the time can't be all that good,moderation like anything.

Yes. Too much of anything is a bad thing. The truth is, life needs to be about moderation. I don't say that to be condescending or hypocritical. I say that, as your peer, and think that the mid 20's is a time of decadence and testing the limits. I don't think we have to get all Zen yet. If anything, I think we should max out on the things we love now, as long as they aren't too incredibly harmful to our minds and bodies at this age, before the chance fades away. We can make decisions about what is best for US now... but there is no family, no marriage, no children. You can indulge. So, if you want to indulge and live your life lesson, fine. There is no huge harm. You have to be the judge for what kind of balance you want to strike in your life. Frankly, it is NOT your parents' place to decide. So, do what you want. You represent you. You will do what makes you happy, proud, OK. And you will continue to grow... and be. Getting too invested online can be a very bad thing. But at your age and time, why should anyone else have to tell you that?

Yes. When it comes to functioning and being social in a work environment later, it can be. I've always been very into the virtual world, but I also an very customer service oriented, etc, and I've had a lot of company owners and such comment on the fact that a lot of the younger generation doesn't have proper social skills because of the amount of socializing done over the internet. They have no real interpersonal skills.