What age should kids have computers in the room?

Question

I am 27 and when i was 12 we had a family computer and i had to use that all the way through to 17 when i brought my own p133.

Im just curious, as alot of my friends who have kids from 9 onwards, have mobile phones, laptops, all the above... its crazy to me...
over here in australia, you have to be 17 to get a drivers licence. and you are able to drink alcohol at 18. at 18 you have all the rights of a adult.

I know a computer is different but i need thoughts.

Answer 1

An appropriate age to give your child a computer would be 11 due because that is usually the age when schools make a big jump on expectations for research and amounts of schoolwork.
Even though some of your friend's kids have cell phones at age 9, you should probably wait till they are 11 as well because at that age they get more interests in girls and start hanging out with them. This means they have more people to talk to and they might be away from home more which means that you will need a way to contact them. Kids that are 9 do not really need a cell phone and just want one because too them it seems cool and makes them feel like an adult which might eventually make them feel that they are partially equal to you. This could cause disciplinary problems plus they do not fully understand the responsibility of a cell phone.

P.S: Sorry if you didn't want me to talk about the cell phone thing but I thought it would help clarify the maturity and responsibility issues of the computer.

Answer 2

To me the answer to this depends on whether or not the computer has internet access. I don't plan on letting my kids have a computer with internet access in their room until they are adults. I have an old computer I let my kids do homework/play on but it is not in their room because it is simply easier for me to help them if they have a problem if the computer is in a family area. If they want to use the internet they can do that in our family room where I can keep a bit of an eye on their activities. But I don't see a problem with them having a non-internet computer in their room at some point. I am in the U.S. and am a lot more conservative than a lot of parents I know when it comes to stuff like this. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I would probably never put a computer in my kids room that has Internet access. If this is not the case I don't see any big deal, but if it is going to be on-line then I'd say play it safe. Keep the computer in a family area so you can monitor as best you can what your kids are up to. I know me and my brother had a PC on a whole different level of our house, and you can imagine the mischief we got into. Also, today there are just too many dangers on-line from predators and all of the smut that is easily accessed.

Answer 4

18

Answer 5

Do you mean in their bedroom? Children should never be allowed to have a computer that has internet access in their bedroom! The computer should be in an open area that allows adult supervision. If a parent chooses to have a computer for their personal enjoyment that is his prerogative to have it in a private place. But a child should not have that opportunity. It almost gives out the message that it is okay for the child to do whatever he wants on the computer without adult supervision. I think that leaves way too much opportunity for the child to become the prey to some sick internet pedophile with a fake identity. Please be very cautious.

Answer 6

I think that it's ok to put a computer in a kid's room at any age, providing that you put the appropriate software on it to keep the child from places you don't want them to go. Disabling their ability to delete the history is also important.

As to gadgets like cell phones - I think it's a case-by-case basis; if the parent sees a need, then I don't see any reason why a responsible child shouldn't have them, but there should likewise be restrictions, such as pre-paid phones for a child who's not necessarily able to exercise the self-restraint not to over-spend on minutes, or similar checks.

Answer 7

To me the answer to this relies upon on no rely if or no longer the laptop has internet get admission to. i do no longer plan on letting my teenagers have a working laptop or laptop with internet get admission to of their room till they're adults. I surely have an previous laptop I permit my teenagers do homework/play on in spite of the undeniable fact that it isn't any longer of their room because of the fact it is merely much less complicated for me to help them in the event that they have a undertaking if the laptop is in a family individuals section. in the event that they want to apply the internet they are in a position to do this throughout our family individuals room the place i can shop slightly an eye fixed on their events. yet i do no longer see a undertaking with them having a non-internet laptop of their room faster or later. i'm interior the U.S. and am so plenty extra conservative than a great number of mum and dad i understand while it consists of stuff like this. desire this helps.

Answer 8

When I was growing up the computer was always kept where my parents could keep an eye on my sister and I. Now that I have two kids I plan on doing the same. Too much crap for them to get into. Call me old fashioned...

Answer 9

Too dangerous to have PC's in the child's bedroom. You should always be aware of what a child is looking at and who they may be talking to. Keeping the computer in a "public" place is much safer for them. I'd say they could have one at 18, but every kid is different, and I'd judge them by their personal level of maturity and social smarts.
Those are my thoughts.... :-)

Answer 10

I say not until they move out of my house (parent)Because they say they won't surf net and go to chat rooms but it is just to tempting.There are all these full grown women and men getting sucked into this on line stuff and then can't handle it.Think about a kid.So I say never.And these children are innocent and don't know what there getting into.With theses kids today there is no such thing as appropriate software.As smart-as they are with those computers.I know several kids that tell me about laughing at there parents putting that stuff on there computer and they just disarm it .Delete all the site were they have been.I would trust it.