There are few things more frustrating for parents than children who are more interested in playing video games than spending time with the rest of the family.

Technology has wormed its way into the domain of family relationships -- but rather than completely rejecting or accepting information technology, parents need to be more aware of the pros and cons of this computerised era.

To this end, Child and Adolescent Services is hosting a conference at the Bermuda College this weekend entitled "Online: Families Of The Next Millennium''.

The conference is intended to help parents and professionals understand the impact of information technology on families.

Some of the workshops include: The Lap Top Generation, Kid-Proofing The Net, Trends In Teen Sexual Behaviour, The Impact Of Advertising On Parent/Child Behaviour, and AIDS Affected Families.

The keynote address will be given on Friday by author and BBC broadcaster Libby Purves.

Ms Purves, who has written books such as "How Not To Be The Perfect Family'', told The Royal Gazette that parents needed to find healthy, productive ways of integrating information technology into their families' lives.

"It's a matter of parents not relinquishing parental control,'' said Ms Purves.

"And nothing annoys me more than cultures where children are physically safe, but the parents don't know what's going into their heads.

"Parents need to be aware of what's going into their children's heads and know what they're watching on TV... children need someone to share with,'' she added.

Ms Purves warned against parents using a child's interest in TV or video games as a "cop-out'' or electronic babysitter.

She mentioned one case in the UK where a two-year-old child spent between nine to 11 hours in front of a computer screen.

But what Ms Purves said was even more appalling was the mother's response -- she considered herself "lucky'' for having a child who would sit quietly in front of a screen all day.

Although this is a particularly rare case, Ms Purves said it was just an exaggerated version of what most parents have been guilty of at some point.

However, she warned against parents demonising technology -- noting that computers and even video games can be utilised as a learning tool for their children.

She mentioned the computer game "Sim City'' which her own children played -- and said it provided an opportunity for creatively planning a city.

"You have to know the difference between `fake' technology that's made up for your entertainment, and what's real education -- like the difference between the Discovery Channel and Star Trek,'' she added.

And Ms Purves said Bermudian families could particularly benefit from using computers and the Internet because of the Island's isolation.

"I would imagine that children growing up here want to know more about the wider world, and it must cause a bit of teen frustration,'' she noted.

"But (using Internet chatrooms) is a two-way thing -- they also get to tell about life in the Atlantic, instead of sucking in the rest of the world's stuff and wishing they were there,'' she added.

The conference will be held from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, February 12 and 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday February 13. For more information 236-3770 ext. 1781.

Families online: Child and Adolescent Services has planned a conference to help families cope with the information technology era. Pictured in the front row (left to right) is Linda Trott, Linda Outerbridge, Diane Grainger and Sharon Apopa. Pictured in the back row (left to right) is Jascinth Albouy-Onyia, Kate Williams, Rochelle Christopher, Anna Fulton, Sonia Clarke and Enid Melville.