Children and Computers

My 8-year-old son started dabbling with the computer when he was 5. I actually encouraged him. I let him sit on my lap and let him draw and color. By age 6, he started playing with simple games. I'm not sure when, but he eventually learned how to download. He's in Grade 2 now and he sometimes uses the computer to do research on some of his assignments. I'm probably the type of parent who believes that children should learn how to use the computer and the internet at an early age. I mean, they eventually are gonna learn. So it's better that they have parental supervision while they're learning. With regards to the misuse, I think if we brought them up properly, they'll know what's right and what's wrong in terms of using the internet.

Hello Jo, I think the more we restrict children, the more curious they are likely to become. It is possible to block undesirable sites. You could ask some of the computer shops to offer you such programs. History of sites he visits is also available. Based on those you can decide which sites he should be visiting, and which sites he should not get a chance to visit.

hi Jotomy, i totally agree with the response from beamer88 ! i think your nephew is already showing signs of his strength - there are many kind SMARTS - and book-smarts (study) is not really for everyone.. Instead of restraining him - you should find ways for him to further develop in the RIGHT MANNER, plus, with the PROPER SUPERVISION + GUIDANCE.. make him aware of the benefits and also the consequences of the right / wrong usage of IT..

For me yes don't allow the children to use computers so that things would be okay in there studies of school.

Hi! Sometime, it is hard to predict what will happen to someone who not interested in studies. Bill Gates is one of the well known example who are so successful. For live example, I have got a nephew like you and when he was in the secondary school, he requested his father to buy him a computer and that was the first computer he had, and from there onwards, he keep exploring himself into computer world where he learn how to assembly his own computer from parts and learn about many thing about computer, and he even skip class to work in a computer shop. And now he own a computer shop and making good money with the skill he learned. At that point of time, everyone keep saying that he is wasting money on computer because he keep asking for money to upgrade his computer. But now, with the knowledge he learn from upgrading and playing with his computer, he now a boss of a computer shop. Who will know someone future. I believe if someone is interested in something, as long as it is something good, we should not stop him from doing it. But since he is only 13 years old, I would say, he should also go together with his studies where he should at least finish his secondary or college to at least to get a certificate. Because a certificate if quite important nowadays.

I think it's sad that many children are turning to computers nowadays. it would have been okay if they were tuning in to something educational and not just games where they bash each others characters and shoot each other. for kids, it's hard to be kept away from this fun games. as parents we should place limitations on our children when it comes to computer and gadget usage. i'm worried that i might have child someday who is addicted to games. I think if that happens, i would limit the time he will do that. i won't let my child use a game gadget and a computer unless necessary. in his or her early years, i will encourage my child to mingle with other children and live healthy. i don't want a fat obese and lazy child. other people on the internet might badly influence my child, it's something that should be avoided at all cost.

congrats. your nephew seems to have talent in that area. so long as he's not misusing the computer, that's actually a good thing. my 8 yr old son is always on the computer or iphone playing games, especially plants vs zombies right now. initially it was angry birds. now it's plants vs zombies. i'm worried that he might start misusing the computer some day. already he's beginning to be a little too hooked on it for my tastes. i think in this generation, it's hard to prevent children from using the computer. as someone mentioned earlier, if we prevent them from doing something, they'll become even more curious and rebellious and want to do it all the more. like some have said, maybe we can restrict some sites. if i'm not wrong, there are some software that have protection and filters. we can learn about those and apply those onto our computers so that our kids won't be misusing them. we can also from young, limit their time usage of computers. make it to an hour or so so that they're used to playing for an hour and won't always quarrel with us when stopping the computer. it might be hard as they must get used to the routine and if your kids are older, that'll be tough as they'll be more understanding and want to use more.

I do think that children should be allowed to use the computer, but they should have supervision when they are using the computer. My daughter has been using the computer since she was about four years old and my son has been using it since he was about three years old. I've found a lot of great educational websites that I let the kids use and I also have a few games sites that I will let the kids play during their down time as well. However, whenever they are on the computer, I'm in the room with them.

That is so great that he can learn computer language without even going for classes for that. That's the beauty of the internet. He can get much free information and learn from that. Who knows he would be a computer genius and make a lot of money!

Very good subject for today. My view is that TV was a very good learning aid but only if the right programs were watched, it's the same with the computer. First of all school students have to become friends with the computer the they can be guided on to sites that will educate them. When a teacher asks the student to research something and they go to Wikipedia that will open up an all new revenue of information that can more or less be trusted.

I think you should let your children do their stuffs, but if you notice they are doing something wrong you should guide them. Children today are becoming so curious about something unusual. They want to explore the world for them to satisfy their hunger for "something." Well good for you because your kid is so addict with something that is really beneficial.

i think we should allow our children to use internet, we have to giving instruction to our kid when they are use internet. we can give a good instruction, we can choose a good site for our children, try not to give a social network or game.maybe we can look a science about nature or anything that will be useful for our child than game. And we are not beside our child, maybe we can disconnect our connection. so they will call us when they want to using internet, and keep our child from disadvantages site. i think with this way, we can restrict from misusing internet and computer.

It appears that computer is what his passion really is. If he learned new things on his own and even became capable of coding programming language like java then that's a good thing. He is merely not using his computer to play but to acquire new skills and not many children can do that.

When it comes to children and their studies I think that should be first, then the computer later to a certain extent. Today when we look at networks like myspace and facebook its just ridiculous. I remember when kids use to come home do their homework, change their clothes, and run outside,but n ow it seems to me like technology has over ruled all of that. Kids would rather be on the cellpone, in front of video games, or on the computer than anything else.When it comes to the computer I think there is no harm in children learning how to use it, its when they misuse it or use it to do too much especially things that are not going to benefit them in the future. Parents do need to fully keep an eye on whats being viewed in the home and if its appropriate or not appropriate as well as make a time frame for the use of the computer.

Hello Jotomy... I wish to congratulate your nephew for this accomplishment, it is no easy task. Kids are getting more talented these days. He learned it on his own, he must be extraordinarily genius. Just pay attention that he doesn't get mislead... Computers & Internet are useful tools, but they have their dark sides too, you know what I mean... Take care...

hello sis, This is the downside of internet and technology. Yes, kids of today are smart and learn easily, fast learner indeed. But, due to this technologies (computers, mobile phones) their interest to study more are diverted to these things. I always had arguments with my kids regarding these matter and I give them punishment to make them stay away from computers during school days.

No way! We are restricting some of their rights to education by prohibiting internet use because although there are several obvious negatives, the reason we have the internet in the first place was for education and communication, so it has almost an infinitive number of positive uses! Remember that the internet provides a directory of a lot of history, your child's school may not have available in books! The internet is also home to interactive education and educational media that is sometimes very beneficial for the visual learners!