In days gone by parents may have been able to ground kids by simply taking away use of the house pone, or the parent's car.  Then, it was use of the internet that went first, followed shortly by use of the cell phone.  At the beginning of the wireless technology revolution, these wonderful new inventions were seen by many as a little peace of mind, helpful and lifesaving in emergency situations.  Today, parents may be facing a monster.  With internet technology becoming increasingly mobile, especially with the popularity of current 3G wireless internet devices, kids are getting connected through not only the house computer but through their cell phones and other mobile devices.  It can be a challenge to know where to draw the line for parents who feel light-years behind the times when it comes to what is safe, healthy, and sane for kids to be exposed to when it comes to the internet.  Some parents may be privy to all the latest info about their kids' lives, while the other 90%, like all normal parents, will be left wondering at least some of the time.  It's natural for kids to want more independence, especially as they grow older and form social relationships of their own.  This is where parents can decide whether or not to become the enabler to dangerous internet behaviors.

With WiMax internet available in many cities across the Nation, parents may lose a bit more control of exactly what their kids are seeing, as this latest 4G internet technology will be available anytime, anywhere.  While on one side of the fence Mom and Dad may be cheering for fast, reliable, mobile broadband service which will make their daily lives easier, they may also be swallowing the lumps in their throats at the thought of neighborhood kids having access to a whole wide world of information- away from the gaze of their parents' watchful eyes.  Instead of living in fear, parents should embrace this new generation of wireless internet technology as a powerful new tool, that will ultimately help their children succeed in today's technology and communication driven world.  The more comfortable kids are with technology today, the more prepared they will be for their education and future careers tomorrow.  As with any tool, 4G internet is something that they must learn to use responsibly, under the guidance of a trusted adult.  

Let's face it, it can be a dangerous world out there, and kids are likely to be faced with all kinds of temptations.  Just as we teach our children the correct behavior should they see a peer with drugs, alcohol, or weapons, it will now be necessary to have the 'talk' regarding proper internet usage.  Parents can still set restrictions on the home machine, or the child's computer, and thereby limit what pages can be easily accessed by the child.  And remember, just because WiMax internet can go anywhere doesn't mean it has to.  Be sure to let kids know where appropriate places to use the internet are, and check-up on your child's internet usage.  Nobody wants to feel like they are spying on their kids, so keep the dialogue out in the open.  With a trusting relationship and open-minded attitude, parents will be able to embrace the latest in mobile broadband 4G technology, instead of battling it on the home front.