When Should Children Be Introduced to Computers?

cjsteele asks: "When should kids be introduced to computers and the Internet? I'm torn between the prospect of giving my children a technological edge versus giving them an appreciation for more traditional ways of learning and researching (and entertainment, etc.) Though the question is open for rampant conjecture, what does Slashdot think? Early and often or slow and controlled?" Slightly tangential to an issue that was covered earlier this week, aside from the average video game, what is the ideal age for kids to begin seriously learning about computers. "All of this comes as the result of my kids (3 & 2 years old) getting a Fisher-Price InteracTV for Christmas. This is the first step towards 'e-learning', and after watching my kids adapt to how the system works, I began to wonder in what ways this method of learning shapes later cognitive development. The big concern I have here is that the KIDS had to do the adapting, not the technology -- that means the way THEY think is being affected, which gets me a bit queezy. Any thoughts or advice?"

Comments

This is a chance for good parenting

[SunFan]

I think computers would be vastly superior to crappy Saturday-morning cartoons, with careful attention. For example, setting up your firewall such that the child's computer can access _only_ the IP address ranges you specify would go a long way to making the WWW a very positive thing. Online encyclopedias, dictionaries, kid-oriented websites, etc. could be whitelisted while everything by default is blocked. This way, no accidental trips to goatse.cx would occur, sparing your child expensive counseling later on.

With the firewall being your point of control, you can feel comfortable dual-booting your computer into Windows for games, too.

Once the kid is old enough (say 16 or 18 or 21, you pick), you can remove all the blocks for the full on-line experience. Just make sure you _ALWAYS_ knock on the door. Please, don't take this advice lightly.

I'm facing the same question

[Elivs]

As a father of a six monther, my wife and I have discussed this question. Really it is up to you as parents to decide what's right for you, but here are our ideas and logic.

Our opinion is basically that our computer is part of our everyday life. Our son should learn to use it as soon as he is technically able. However having said that, I would expect his learning to be slow and over many years as he matures. We want to teach sensible and safe use of a tool.

We use our computer as our "digital" hub. We have been doing this for many years. It sits in the lounge with all our music (mp3) and photos (6000+ scanned negatives going back 30yrs for both of us), and occationally dvd/video. The photos are on the screen saver. We are the kind of family that only watches TV 1-2hrs per week. We get outside and are active.

Here are our ideas
1) When my son is able and wants to I'll teach him how to put on music. Judging by my niece that could be when he's quite young, 2-3 yrs.
2) I'm happy to give him an email account when he is able to write to friends. I suspect this will be around the time he goes to school.
3) Web etc. will ALWAYS be done on the family computer under supervision until he's at least 15yrs.
4) He might get a computer in his room at around age 10-12 for music, homework, photos etc. This machine won't have general internet access.
5) I'd like to teach him to program like my father did for me. Logo, basic, and games with programmable parts.

I'm sure every one has their own ideas about what's right for their child, but I think the most important principals are:
1) your child must want to learn
2) it should be staged to what is useful for them at that age
3) it must be "safe"

Remember computers are a normal part of life, just like TV, radio, alcohol, stoves/ovens/cooking, cars. It's your job as parent to teach them when to use them, how to use them, and how to be safe/healthy.

Elivs