Do your Kids have their own computers?

[Heller]

Got into a discussion earlier today, and i said to my friend, a computer is the best investment for a kid, only because I personally learn alot from the internet, (how to build a computer, how to fix this) the internet is probably the best learning tool for a kid.. anybody agree? along as you keep them away from ***** you sure be fine...

anybody else agree with me ? do your kids us the computer daily? do they have their own?

maybe im completely insane, who knows

 

[MegaVovaN]

depends how old the kid is

I got my own computer with internet when I was 14 (never used a computer before)...as you can see I'm not retarded or anything, a computer geek actually.

Keep them away from comp, they will stare in it 24/7

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

My brother and I had a shared PC when I was younger than 10, and when I turned 11 I got my own PC. I was on it all the time. Now I'm addicted to porn

 

[bladder23]

Im 14. Started internet at 6. Got first comp to myself when 11 (dads old one). built my own system last year

 

[Pacfanweb]

My kids are 5 and 3, both have their own computers in their rooms. Amazing how well even my 3 year old can use it.

 

[Darwin333]

My daughter (now six) got her own computer over a year ago.

Its not hooked up to the network though. I am not going to let my 5/6 year old play click the link on the web but she has quite a few educational games she enjoys.

 

[bladder23]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
My kids are 5 and 3, both have their own computers in their rooms. Amazing how well even my 3 year old can use it.

I have a 4 1/2 year old sister but I've never gotten her onto the computer.

What programs/games do you let your kids do?

 

[GTaudiophile]

If/when I have kids, they will not have their own computer, and the one they are permitted to use will be very public!

 

[Kelemvor]

My kids will have access to a "Family Computer". But it will be out in the open so I know what they are doing with it as far as the internet goes and such. But something so they can learn, do homework online, etc would be fine. Or a stand alone PC for other stuff that's not online so there's nothing to worry about.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I had a computer when I was 5-6.

 

[gorcorps]

We started with one family computer, and through the years I learned how to build my own. So that's what I did, I was probably around 16 when I made my own. I think it's a good tool to learn, but yes there's a lot of stuff to watch out for if they're sub 15 yrs old. Any older than that IMO and they can do what they want as long as it isn't illegal.

 

[Leros]

My little sister has been using a computer since she 2. When she was 11 she got her own computer. She uses it for everything: games, movies, music, school, etc.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My kid is 5 and between my wife, my son and I we have 3 computers in the house. All of them can access the internet and none of them are in any bedrooms.

 

[Heller]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
My kid is 5 and between my wife, my son and I we have 3 computers in the house. All of them can access the internet and none of them are in any bedrooms.

Why cause if its in the bedroom, it must mean its used for porn right?

 

[warmodder]

I started with a family computer and eventually got my own later on. It's a good thing to have, but I think that once you get to know the computer you'll never leave it. The problem is, it's so easy (and vastly superior to any other medium) to get information that everything else seems so inefficient. My parents used to tell me to read books all the time, but why read a book when you can learn more from the internet? It's so much more interesting.

I dunno, I hope my kids use the computer or whatever else is out. I think technology is important for learning.

 

[imported_weadjust]

My dad would let me mess around with his computer when I was 5.

Slide rules were cool.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Originally posted by: XabanakFanatik
My brother and I had a shared PC when I was younger than 10, and when I turned 11 I got my own PC. I was on it all the time. Now I'm addicted to porn

Hey! Same! Except I got my own when I was...hmmm...13 years old IIRC.

I started with a family computer and eventually got my own later on. It's a good thing to have, but I think that once you get to know the computer you'll never leave it. The problem is, it's so easy (and vastly superior to any other medium) to get information that everything else seems so inefficient. My parents used to tell me to read books all the time, but why read a book when you can learn more from the internet? It's so much more interesting.

This is why it annoys the hell out of me that we're still required to get "book sources" for school papers. Everything you need is online.

 

[FoBoT]

yes, yes

i have had computers for everyone in the household (2 adults, 2 kids) since the youngest was a toddler, we don't like to share
my kids use their computers/internet everyday

that was when 'puters were more costly, these days at only a couple hundred bucks a piece, why not have several computers

 

[TehMac]

I built my first computer when 15. I had used one since...14. The internet is an amazing place for learning, but only in a referential manner, because books can hold more exclusive kinds of content. It depends. The internet is a huge reference archive, especially due to that huge information facet, Wikipedia.

 

[intogamer]

Do not put it in their rooms.

 

[Bibble]

My mom used to bring a Mac home from school during the summers for me to use when I was 8 or so (about 1996). Of course, the computer had to be returned come late August but I always did look forward to getting it back in June. I played Oregon Trail, various educational games, and messed around with some art program. When I was 11 or 12 we got our first family computer and a little later AOL. I think I was more into my n64 at that point, but by the time I was 13 or 14 I was on the computer almost everyday, looking at things you're supposed to be 18 to see. When I was 15 I bought my own computer, which went in my bedroom.

Overall, I'd say I certainly learned a lot but you ought not let your kids have unrestricted access to the internet like I had.

 

[redly]

Originally posted by: bladder23

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
My kids are 5 and 3, both have their own computers in their rooms. Amazing how well even my 3 year old can use it.

I have a 4 1/2 year old sister but I've never gotten her onto the computer.

What programs/games do you let your kids do?

My kids are around that age. They have these stuffed animals called Webkinz. Each pet has a unique ID that allows them to enter a safe virtual webkins world (kinda like Sims, I guess). They absolutely love that. They used to play the games at Nick Jr and Noggin.

Pretty much what ever a kid is into, there is a kid friendly website for it.

 

[MotionMan]

I got my first computer when I was in college - it was a brand new Mac SE

I have a 1st grader and a pre-schooler. They use mommy's computer to go on disney.com and Webkinz.

I am building a computer for them that will either go in the 1st grader's room (with a Windows password only mommy and I will know) or it will go in a public room.

MotionMan

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante

Hey! Same! Except I got my own when I was...hmmm...13 years old IIRC.

I started with a family computer and eventually got my own later on. It's a good thing to have, but I think that once you get to know the computer you'll never leave it. The problem is, it's so easy (and vastly superior to any other medium) to get information that everything else seems so inefficient. My parents used to tell me to read books all the time, but why read a book when you can learn more from the internet? It's so much more interesting.

This is why it annoys the hell out of me that we're still required to get "book sources" for school papers. Everything you need is online.

Because getting everything from the flavor filled, flash based, java laden internet isn't always the best route. It destroys the attention span of children. They have enough gadgets to do that already in the Xbox games with the 'I Win' button built in. Some things are necessary to counter act that effect.

 

[Captante]

Both my daughters have PC's in their rooms & both are locked down tighter then a ticks ass with limited-user accounts & parental control software.

They both also have access to a less restricted PC downstairs in the family room when an adult is at home, however that PC is cutoff from the internet at the router during the day and the router is locked up in a closet ... sucks having a geek for a dad!


Edit: Neither of them have any access to the 3 PC's in my den/office.