Internet - Good for Under 15 or Bad..

Internet can be good for under 15 if there are restrictions to websites such as pornographic websites, youtube(alot of hateful comments on there), etc. Using opendns.com can block such websites.
But if there are not restrictions, then I don't think it would be good, because there might be pornographic popups that appear suddenly.

I guess it's the same debate regarding television, video games, dvds, etc..

It's up to the parent/s or guardians to ensure that the content that their child has access to is what they deem fit for viewing. Yes, parents can't be watching their children every second they are on the internet, but a computer which is located in a place where there is alot of foot traffic, tends to discourage children from intentionally visiting sites which are thought of as inappropriate.

I think that when you leave a child unattended on any electronic device for long periods of time, then it is your own fault if they are visiting questionable sites.

It's become too easy to blame the internet which isn't a babysitter, for something that can be controlled by a guardian or parent.

For most parts, as long as your child is accessing the big named sites you'll be safe. Google or any other search engine site is a little more risky since they will often have links to smaller and less tested sites. And it should be something that any computer user should be wary of if they are allowing anyone on their computer, irrespective of age.

But in general, I think a majority of caregivers are doing a good job with the access to their computers, but, kids will be kids and the taboo is just as attractive to them as it is to adults.

Internet is what you make it for the most part. Anything, even seemingly innocent things, can be harmful. It is up to the parents to help the children with guidance and supervision so that the internet is a useful tool and is not a detriment to thier child. TV is really the same way, when left to kids to decide when, where, what and how much to watch it gets completely out of control. When my children were younger, I kept the computers in a common place where someone was always around. that way they never knew when someone might come through the room or just be sitting there reading or what not. It is a wonderful tool if there is proper supervision... that's what I think!

This is the case not only with website but with everything which teaches us good and bad things in life like tv also. There are always good and bad things what matter is that how you look at it. Same way internet got both taste for every human. under 15 can learn many things from it as they are on the growing stage but you should have a vigil on that, they should take it a education.

Well, your question cannot be answered once cause every children has different personality and different characteristic... My younger girl cousin is only 8 years old and using the internet for games...

I would say it really depends.......some the kids these days are quite mature and they know what they are not supposed to do, but a majority of the lot don't really know what they are supposed to do.....and what not......so i feel some kind of parental interference is necessary.......they should put in some parental lock software's which are available in the market where they could monitor what they are viewing a dn what not.....they could even do some pre-controlled settings of the sites which a X rated and can block them instantly.....

I think the internet is a handy tool especially for class prjects and such. But as others have said there should be restirctions on it. My younger brother who has just turned 14 has no restrictions (I think its because the rest of us kids are all older and never really grew up with the internet) but my parents bought him his own computer and all. They have no idea what he doesnt on the computer but hes not much into computers hes more of a video game person. But There are some kids that will meet ppl online and go meet them or put personal info online.