Letting your kids use the computer

my son - My son likes playing computer games.
Philippines
December 4, 2011 9:30pm CST
Kids nowadays are very intelligent and smart. They learn new things faster and better. My son started using the computer at around age three, well, that is the time I have my own computer. Then at age four, he can already remember the icons that he wants to use and he knows what he wants to play on the internet already. He can shut down the computer by himself. At age five, he already know the password on my mother's computer at their home and he can turn it on by himself and just play whenever he wants. At what age did you let your kids use the computer? How do you make sure that your computer is children friendly?
1 person likes this
14 responses
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Kids of today are really lucky to have use all those gadgets. I remember kids don't even have mobile phones before but now they have it and carrying it in school too. Netbooks are given to kids and parents feels it's necessary to give them these. I even saw some kids from La Salle are using e-books, they're no longer bringing or issuing books anymore, it is a requirement to have the gadget with them and serve as their books. No more carrying big and heavy bags I won't talk about MY kid coz I don't have one. My friend's 2 year old daughter knows how to use the computer too. She is still a baby and yet she knows a lot in computer. My friend can't even use it because everytime she sits in front of me her baby will keep on saying, "Ma, let me use it... ma let me use it now"
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Dec 11
... I see an addict in the making
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
She's really an addict I was nagging my friend about her internet and computer being useless coz she couldn't chat with me or logon at least when it's she's off from work. But when she told the reason, oh my I laughed so hard. When I visited her last month, I saw how the kid was so engrossed on you tube and facebook. My friend's sister wanted to use the computer but she wouldn't want to leave or even let her hold the mouse.
@indahfth (11161)
• Indonesia
29 Dec 11
My son started using computers, since the age of 5 years. Now, my son was 8 years old, and my son is computer savvy. I am very happy, my children understand computers. I'm not worried about negative things, which can be obtained from the computer. Because, I always accompany my child. And provide understanding, and the consequences of using computers for negative things.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
5 Dec 11
Hi red, We have to remember that kids today are born into a world of which the computer is a natural part, just like TV was to their parents or radio to their grandparents. Children begin picking us vibrations from the day that they were born. My children were grown up before we had computers in almost every household. Just make sure that there are parental controls and everything should be fine. Blessings.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
27 Dec 11
I'm not as lucky as your son because back in my time, i only get to use it when i'm 13-14.. lol :D I'm a later bloomer compared to him Kids of these days are really spoiled and computer are no longer the first thing they know, instead my godson, is given an Ipad to play when he's only 18 months old.. lol :D He knows how to scroll, swipe to the games pages, swiching it on and off, and everything.. lol =D
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
10 Dec 11
You are right now kids are very intelligent but using computer is very difficult some time press wrong button and face the problem. Damaged the Operating system or any software or hardware parts. Now TV and computer both are providing more impact on kids.
• United States
5 Dec 11
I let my little brother use the computer when he was 9. He was fully able to understand what XXX was and what a virus was and how it wasn't good to get on those sites. What he didn't understand was when the popups for new games came up for him to download. He would download so many games until one day my computer crashed. I eventually got a new one and now he knows what and what not to do.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Dec 11
hi red amethyst I am elderly now but when I worked in the libraryjust a few years back I was amazed at the young age that kids could be really computer savy.This six year old was teaching his grand mother how to search the web and he really did know what he was doing. also he could put together jigsaw puzzles on the computer in just a few minutes. hie grandmother told me he was at age six in the third grade with an IG of 140 already.a gifted child at only six. wow.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
5 Dec 11
I don't mind what age a child can start using a computer. As long as they are supervised and they don't spend all day on the computer. I work with a guy who knows nothing about computers and he refues to learn! I think this is terrible! I hear his kids,8 and 11,aren't supervised on the computer when he is home with them! He always says his wife is around when they are and she supervises. I found out it that is not true! His wife works two jobs (because she loves to spend money) and goes to school part-time. So I know her she is not around all the time when the kids are on line! They know how to do video chat and everything else! It doesn't seem to bother Jesse! It does with me! Who knows what the heck those kids are doing on line! I just wish Jesse would stop being so passive and learn! If not I can see his kids getting into trouble on the computer if they have not allready!
@eljayo (1105)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
Hi! I think computers are needed nowadays especially fro school activities. The question is how much time does your children spent on the computer and what is he doing. These are the things parents should monitor.
@chaftab (59)
• Pakistan
5 Dec 11
Kids are very smart of present age. Of course there are a lot of tutorials for your kids. The next generation will be very fast
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
I agree. Kids nowadays are very smart. They can easily know how to use the computer and all those other new gadgets. It's not really bad that kids are allowed to do these stuffs. In fact, it's good because we are allowing them to explore but then this shouldn't be made a habit. Playing the computer for long hours is not good for the kids. So, I guess parents should supervise their kids when they are using computers.
@bb_gabs (205)
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
I think, computer is good for children unless you supervise them what they are doing in the computer every time they use it, specially if it is hooked in the internet, because sometimes, unintentionally they are directed to the site they should not use or for adults only. Computer is important to our child's life for it really helps them a lot specially in their studies.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
5 Dec 11
Hi Red, Yes kids are very smart...I think they are a lot smarter than adults give then credit for..I have alway said that instead of the goo goo talk we respond wo babies with they are already thinking about what they want to say to us..LOL.. no seriously I do think they are very smart and it is said that children absorb the most from birth to 18 months.. My grandson started using the computer when he was 5 years old and now at 12 he can show me some options that I didn't even know about. The best was to keep it children friendly is to always monitor it yourself...
• Philippines
5 Dec 11
My kid is 28mos old now. He always ask me to teach him ABC song. That's why i keep on letting him watch youtube, and he made use of computer over and over. I am the obe facilitating things for my kid since he is still young. i pick things up for him to learn.