While today’s education curriculums strive to ensure that students are conversant with the computer, when the dismissal bell rings, many parents are faced with concerns about just what their kids will be getting out of their homework. Designing a home study area that provides access to computer technology and is both safe and efficient can be somewhat of a challenge.

For the design aspect there are many considerations: type of work space, location, furniture selections, storage space and lighting. As for the safety issue, let’s face it, while the computer is a wonderful study tool and an endless source of information, unsupervised Internet access can lead to some serious problems.

Safety First
Do we really have to monitor our children when they are on the Internet? William M. Simon, owner and lead investigator of Abberline Investigations, says the answer is a definite “Yes.”

“The latest statistic shows that more than 80 percent of children on the Internet have been approached inappropriately, whether it’s in an online chat room, e-mails, reading news groups or being directed to inappropriate Web sites,” says Simon. “If that’s not enough to convince you, consider this: In 1998 computers were involved in approximately 17 percent of all crimes committed. In 2003 that number jumped to over 80 percent.” The Internet might be the information highway, but a lot of criminals are traveling this road as well.

While most people think the biggest concern is with sex offenders, and it’s true that the Internet is used to lure children, this isn’t the only crime occurring online. Drug dealers are accessing the Internet to sell, arrange deals and entice children into buying and using drugs. Gangs now have their own Web sites through which they are attracting members.

To help parents ensure their children’s safety while logged on, Simon offers the following tips:

•Keep the computer in a common area. Make sure the screen faces outward so you can see it when peeking in or walking by.

•By far the most important tip is active parenting. Pay attention to what your children are doing on the computer, talk to them and ask questions.

•Don’t ever get angry. Children are naturally curious and if given half a chance they will investigate inappropriate Web sites. Give them a set of rules to follow and consequences they will pay if the rules are broken. Openly explain why certain sites are not appropriate and why they can’t give out information about themselves on the Internet.

•Don’t be afraid to monitor. There are all kinds of monitoring software; yet don’t assume that your blocking software is doing all your monitoring. Many children know how to get around these programs.

“Safety really begins with control,” says Neil Patel, CEO of eZigma Inc. “While it’s important to ensure that your kids are safe, it’s nearly impossible to watch over them ever second they are at a computer and connected to the Internet. For this reason, all parents should take the necessary steps to ensure they are using a reliable hardware firewall, preferably with content filters and notification capabilities, pop-up blockers, antivirus software, antispam software and e-mail content filtering applications. Parents should ensure that they log all activities for later review so they can learn the habits of their kids and be on the offensive rather than the defensive.”

Design Second
When asked about the best location to build study nooks, Mike Rosen, president of C.P.E., Computer Parts & Electronics, responded, “Each home is different, but we’re setting up a lot of computer areas in large kitchens. The computer built-ins are generally positioned at the end of the kitchen cabinets. In most cases the new area is designed as an extension of the existing kitchen cabinetry, matching the molding, wood and basic design of the rest of the room.”

Rosen added that other computer nooks, which include custom-designed cabinetry with a desk, drawers and computer pullouts, are being built in hallways and in the formal areas of the home, such as living rooms and libraries.

“In general, you can have custom built-ins added to the home for about the same price as you’d pay for nice furniture,” says Rosen. “The placement of the built-in is normally what regulates the budget for the project. If the area has the necessary phone line and electrical outlets, and no drywall work is needed, typically a built-in will run approximately $1,000.”

Whether the design consists of a built-in or furniture, Annette Ledesma, ASID, with Designer Showcase, emphasizes the importance of location for comfort and productivity. “Make sure there is ample work room. The size of the space should accommodate any books, paperwork and tools that are needed to complete any given task.”

A good rule of thumb, notes Ledesma, is to consider the senses. “Is the temperature comfortable? Will noise level be a problem in the area? Another important aspect is the lighting. Proper task lighting can illuminate the space without putting any glare onto your monitor, but natural lighting can create problems.”

As with designing any room or space, function and fashion both come into play. Making an area fashionable means using color, textures and basic design elements such as furniture arrangement. While choosing furnishings for a computer nook, remember that the area should feel comfortable, not crowded.

Those who have furniture shopping on their to-do list for creating a student workstation will find a wide array of options. Today’s student desks come in both playful and practical forms. From whimsical locker-style shapes to classic styles, computer workstations can coordinate with any style of decor.

For larger families, the commodious wall systems can incorporate side cabinets, adjustable shelving and large, open-style hutches to accommodate more than one student’s school necessities. An attractive way to customize this multifamily member space is with painted baskets that neatly fit into any of the open shelving areas. Consider color coding each basket according to each sibling who utilizes the space, or spray paint the baskets using the most predominant colors in the room’s color scheme.

“It’s becoming increasingly common to have a family-centric work space,” notes Patel. “In fact, home offices and studies are almost an extension of the common living space such as the living room or kitchen. This is because the family’s demand for work space has changed; we all need our work space but do not necessarily like isolation.”

When space is really limited, parents may want to consider purchasing fold-up furniture, which is portable and can be stored.
Although every family has different requirements and amounts of space to work with, by carefully selecting the workstation and what is included in it, parents can create a safe and comfortable environment for children to get the most out of their studies.