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(KSL News) -- A warning today to parents of kids 8-to-18: Keep the computer out of their bedroom.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found twice as many kids have bedroom computers with internet access than five years ago. Without direct supervision, many of those kids spend hours in internet social clubs instant messaging friends and strangers.
Experts say that's left many sleep deprived or targets of online sexual predators.
So why are so many parents willing to put their kids at risk?
MSNBC.com technology expert Bob Sullivan says its comes down to competition.
Bob Sullivan, MSNBC Technology: "One reason computers are in the bedroom are similar to why televisions are in the bedroom, they don't want the competition for the device."
Sullivan says the best thing parents can do to protect their kids is to put the computer out of the bedroom and make sure it is in a public place.
