My New Partner In Crime AND Kids Using PC’s
Happy Fatherhood Friday!I have a very exciting announcement to make. I have asked that my brother partner up with me to work on this site. He is a few years younger than me and is expecting his first child this June. I have always wanted the site to be a collaborative effort among dads of different backgrounds so that we can give advice and learn from each other. My experience as a parent centers mostly centers around 2 kids, a girl and a boy both of which are ages 2 and above. Now, c, can bring his new dad experiences to the table. (With that “new dad smell” too!) Hopefully this will expand our coverage and topics and can better serve you. Without further ado, please welcome and enjoy c’s first (of many I’m sure) post here at Smartfathers, “Thoughts On Kids Using PC’s”.
This may seem a bit out there for my introductory post but the geek in me is always thinking ahead. At what age should kids be introduced to computers and better yet (scary) the internet? Our baby is not even born yet, but I can’t help it since I am such a geek to already be thinking about getting an email set up. I know it’s a little off the deep end, but since I enjoy these things so much I really want to share them with my offspring. Which also makes me come to the idea of do I want him/her (sonogram showed us a girl) to have their own pc, (one of my old ones) or an account on mine. So far I have really come to the conclusion of them having their own pc so it is something they can learn responsibility with and can say it is theirs so maybe they will take care of it (maybe a little naive on my part). Also I generally need on my pc at a moments notice and who knows when the wife is using the laptop so that is out of the question. So I guess my child would probably have their own pc setup with Qimo Linux. It seems to be one good way to go, security of Linux and apps geared just for the youngsters. I think I may even give it a test run on an old machine and see what it is like. I have nieces and nephews that could be using it right now.
Whew, that was quite a mouthful and I know I am getting a head of myself considering we still have about 2 months until our baby is born and then sometime until he/she is old enough to use the computer, but I’m a geek and things like this get me thinking.
By no means is this an alternative to being a good parent and knowing what your kids are up to, but it does give you a piece of mind knowing you have an advantage over the bad guys on the internet.
Any other suggestions for keeping kids safe online, please let us know in the comments. Also, at what age are you comfortable letting your children experience the internet? If there is enough interest I may setup Qimo Linux on a spare pc and share the highlights for those that are looking for an alternative for a kid oriented OS.
-c
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about 1 year ago
My 7 year old uses our computer but the only thing he has any real interest in is Legos.com and webkinz…
about 1 year ago
Important info and thanks for posting. Adding your blog to my rss feeder. Rainey
about 1 year ago
I think I started my oldest on computers when he was around 4. He started on sites such as Playhouse Disney, Noggin, and the like on an old PC of mine. Now he has his own laptop (my old laptop) that he plays on pretty much the same sites now that he’s 6. I’ve never even heard of Qimo Linux before, but it might be worth a try. My thing is that the majority of computers out there are PC’s, so I’d rather he learn to do things on a computer that everybody else uses rather than something that is unique and might not translate over to school, etc.
about 1 year ago
We limit the kids computer time with a time measuring program, I think it’s called “computer time”.
Our 11 year old recently asked if her could have 6 hours straight because he was away at camp and needed to make up some computer time. Needless to say they are not roll-over minutes.
about 1 year ago
I would like to remind you that the AAP recommends no screens until 2…that includes computers! I know that is tough to swallow (actually I am fine with it, my husband is the screen addict in the family) but as an educator, I see the difference clearly in the kids who sit in front of screens from the beginning.
b-I can pretty much guess that Glubble is not an ideal Mother’s Day gift!
about 1 year ago
b here – I’m planning on an iMac or Mac Mini setup for my kids, IN THE OFFICE. I can lock it down then not really worry about it getting all jacked up. My daughter is already playing a few pbskids games. I may be looking into this sooner rather than later.
I’ll have to look into Glubble, it sounds very interesting. Maybe I should us it for my wife.
I kid…
about 1 year ago
I gave me kids my old laptop, but they can only use it in my presence.
about 1 year ago
I wonder about things way out in the future too. I think that is what new Dads and expecting Dads do. The thought of my son meeting the internet is kind of scary.
about 1 year ago
I’m in the thick of this now. Put the computers in common rooms so you know what they are doing all the time. No bedrooms. Also, when they start emailing have them use your family email address and don’t give them their own until you absolutely have to. Also any programs you can use to keep them in kid friendly sites is also important. You cannot take too many precautions with this. Computers can be both great and extremely dangerous to kids.
about 1 year ago
Our 10 month certainly WANTS her own computer – she sees Mommy and Daddy on our laptop and always crawls over, pulls herself up, and then starts pounding the keys. Leave the laptop in an accessible place and she’ll happily pop open the lid and pound away. I think as she gets older we’ll probably head in the direction Lauren suggested – extremely moderated access… and hopefully she’ll be a little less abusive on the keyboard by then.
about 1 year ago
It’s just something that will evolve on it’s own from watching mom and dad. Even my 5 year old is more savvy than I and my 15 yr old makes me feel like a morn regularly.
about 1 year ago
Our 5 yo has her own computer in the corner of the living room. It’s windows based and we use firefox with the Glubble extension. Glubble is FREE and you have complete control over where your kids go. Many of the programs she uses are also very safe – ie, no free typing, no personal info, etc. It’s just a question of staying involved and aware of what your kid is doing. She asks before she does anything new too. Well trained, we have her!