we are about to buy our eleven year old son a laptop for Christmas but are concerned he will spend too much time on it. What would be a reasonable time limit to set each day? He will use it for school work as well as play and it will be internt connected. I would welcome other people's thoughts and experiences of children with their own personal computer and what impact it has on them. he has set his heart on this present.
2006-12-09 06:34:51 · 38 answers · asked by Lizangel 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
This might be an unpopular thought..but I suggest you don't buy him a computer for his own use. He is at an age where he should still be able to share the family computer located at a communal spot..where parents are supervising. If you give him his own laptop with Internet access..I believe it's trouble in the making. I have an 11-year-old too...and I wouldn't dream of buying him a computer with Internet access for his own private use.
I believe time use for computer should be whatever time he needs to complete homework (supervisied) and for play about 1 hour (supervised). I am a licensed therapist.
2006-12-09 06:38:31 · answer #1 · answered by Toolooroo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Laptops are generally more expensive, & are much easier to steal and/or lose. I would recommend a desktop model for a 1st computer for a child of that age. For the same money you can get a lot more "bang for the buck" in a desktop. Besides, other than a status symbol, why does your 11 yo need to have a laptop for school? Most schools supply computers there for the kids to use, don't yours?
I presume that this is a gift that you plan to allow the child to use in his own room. I am afraid that I am not a strong supporter of giving any kid that age a computer for their exclusive use until they have had a chance to learn responsible useage on a family computer that is shared by everyone, & is in an area of the house where the adults in the family have a better chance of supervising the child on it. ESPECIALLY IF IT"S CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET!
Only you as his parent can determine the appropriate amount of time he spends on the computer, but if he's carrying around a loaptop, & keeping it in his room, just how do you plan on supervising the time he spends on it anyway?
I know he has his heart set on having his own laptop, but when I was his age, we didn't even have desktop computers for the home, let alone laptops for kids. There were plenty of neat things that I wanted that I never got, even though I swore all of my friends had everything they ever wanted. It just taught me that we actually can get on with our lives without some of these "must haves".
I know you hate to disappoint your kid, but just immagine how crushed he will be if he learns the hard way that he wasn't really ready for the responsibility of an expensive laptop either by having lost it or had it stolen, or even worse by having become a victim of some internet predator.
Merry Christmas.
2006-12-09 07:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely agree on the public area for the machine. Make sure Google is set up for maximum filter. I'd also tend to agree on getting a desktop unit rather than a laptop.
As for school work, most schools will give kids pen drives for transporting data to and from school, the school won't want your kid to take his computer in.
As for time, our son (9) spends a few hours over the weekend and occassionally during the week. It depends on what else your boy does, if he's going to spend his time between computer, TV and games console ... and never does anything else. That's a bad thing.
If he does lots of outdoor or sports stuff, then allowing time on the computer is fine.
2006-12-10 03:05:10 · answer #3 · answered by replybysteve 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When using it for homework, he should be starting the project in advance. Most homework that involves research should be given to a student in advance. It should be worked on at least an hour a day, give or take the assignment at hand. As for play, he should not only be monitored, due to all of the things that can be found on the Internet, I don't think I need to name them, but also on school nights it should be 30 Min's. of play and on weekends or no school nights it can be bumped up to 1hr 30 Min's being the max. A child shouldn't spend alot of time on the Internet. Not only can it hurt the eyes, but it can also show them things you may not want them to know.
2006-12-09 06:43:49 · answer #4 · answered by DJB 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should observe how much time he spends on the computer while doing school work and keep it that much time. You should also observe how much time he spends on the computer just to fool around. Like if he spends 3 hours on the computer to play, have him only stay on for 1 hour and a half. Hope this helps!
2006-12-09 06:38:29 · answer #5 · answered by jerrell'sz_bOO. 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm 15 and have a computer. I VERY rarely use it, if I do its for games. I tend to use this one (parents) because it has a big screen and the room is nicer.
I wouldn't set a limit per day, but per week instead. That way he won't feel he has to use it for 2 hours a night.
Set 8 hours per week. That's more on certain days than others.
2006-12-09 06:41:55 · answer #6 · answered by BrilliantPomegranate 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Great gift mom. I think the limit for anything that is not schoolwork is 2 hours. After all homework, chores, getting clothes ready for the next day, taking a shower is done. On the weekends 3 hours. Please monitor his use of the computer make sure you know what he's looking at. Merry Christmas.
2006-12-09 06:42:10 · answer #7 · answered by mamabear 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Didn't you kind of answer this yourself...buying an 11 yr old his own laptop. ARE YOU NUTS?!!!
..Do you want to adopt me?! I'd like my own lap top...and I'm going to be 42 yrs old!! Start him off with his own computer...BUT NOT a laptop...At that age...they are forgetful, clumbsy and butterfingered!! Laptops AREN'T cheap!!! BUY him a dell computer and start him on that....My children have ONE computer in the house...and that's this one I'm on...and then there's one in our son's room..BUT it's only hooked up to electric...NOT to the internet...so he can play computer games...but we don't have to worry about where he is online...MY SPACE etc...
2006-12-09 06:40:28 · answer #8 · answered by just me 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I think an hour is good no more then two. I've also learned that kids who spend too much time on the computer/tv and such are more likly to get authensy(sp?) so limit his time and make sure he doesn't make it his life and make sure he stays involved with everything he's doing!
2006-12-09 06:38:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
2 hours
2006-12-09 06:38:00 · answer #10 · answered by AMAR 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋