Is 6 too young to have your own PC?

[JN]

It's the little'ns birthday next month and me & the mrs are trying to decide what to get her.

Mrs wants to get her one of those 'fake' laptop type things that only plays a certain number of educational games, whereas I have managed to spec up a basic AMD system on ebuyer for about £120.

If we go the PC route there will be no internet connection & only educational games installed.

Do you think 6 is too young for a child to have a PC at home? (she uses one attended at school).

 

[ToeJam]

sort of depends how she best learns, am more of a hands on person so i stick with making and drawing stuff.

 

[alexhull24]

I do think that a whole system would probably be too much to start with unless you have time to invest in creating something like a Stardock DesktopX desktop with appropriate links to programs, thus hiding any clutter or advanced functions.

 

[FarFarAway]

I actually thought about it and I think as long as you keep it simple and off the 'net for a few years I see no reason it couldn't be a valuable learning tool for her. Are you going to do some modding and make it child-proof/girl acceptable?

 

[BloomerzUK]

I personally think you should get her a PC..

Computer skills are 100% needed now anyway.. all schools practically use them on a day to day basis.. and it's crucial they get fimilar with them at a young age; IMHO ofcourse.

 

[tinytomlogan]

My sister is 8 and has had her own laptop for about 18months, once they have a PC they pick it up pretty fast. I regularly get emails and talk to my sis on msn.

Id say a cheap lappy would be a better idea as its all in one and can be safely put away.

 

[Rastalovich]

Get them using a pc as soon as they can move their fingers.

No unattended internet usage until ur 18 or until u leave home, whichever.

 

[JN]

Id say a cheap lappy would be a better idea as its all in one and can be safely put away.

Was thinking about a laptop, but even for a netbook you'd be looking at 2x what I can build a PC for and I don't think the resolution/gpu would be good enough for the kind of animated kiddy programs you get.

I actually thought about it and I think as long as you keep it simple and off the 'net for a few years I see no reason it couldn't be a valuable learning tool for her. Are you going to do some modding and make it child-proof/girl acceptable?

Ooh yes, pink case, keyboard, mouse. Will 'pink-up' windows too

I do think that a whole system would probably be too much to start with unless you have time to invest in creating something like a Stardock DesktopX desktop with appropriate links to programs, thus hiding any clutter or advanced functions.

Yeah thats a good idea. Will check that out :worship:

No unattended internet usage until ur 18 or until u leave home, whichever.

Agreed. The only reason why i'd even consider putting a network card in it would be so that me and the missus can remote desktop on to it if she gets stuck and needs help (it will probably be in her room).

 

[Jeddy]

Agreed. The only reason why i'd even consider putting a network card in it would be so that me and the missus can remote desktop on to it if she gets stuck and needs help (it will probably be in her room).

Lol thats quite good. Remote desktop from the same house xD

I'm not sure. I had a pc when I was 7 or 8 and played alot of doom.

It was however NEVER in my own room. I think that is a good balance, means you can keep a "hands off" attitude but also keep an eye on what is happening.

I certainly think it is a must to have good computer skills before half way through primary school these days.

 

[mayhem]

I can answer his.

Six is a very good age but you must learn you self to restrict the pay time on it else they become addicted to it very quickly.

My kids have had there own pcs from 4 years upwards.

My son can now do repairs on his own at the age of 12 and all so knows how to do full installs and diagnose problems. the only problem i have is hes all so taken a interest in hacking.. but ill sort that out.

My daughters know how to use google for school work and all so fix problems and they are 8 and 9. All so Cbbc and BBC have learnt them loads. Its just brill. They play and there happy yet there learning all the time.

small cheap lap top is good but you better off with desk top to but a real cheap one. that way when they spill, brake , damage any thing it can be fixed cheaply. when there a little older then go down the laptop route. To add to that you can see when there on it and they cannot hide in thee bed room with it.

 

[MikeEnIke]

Whoops I voted 'Yes' until I read the the whole no internet, only educational games thing. In that case I don't think 6 is too young, gotta learn to use a computer sometimes

 

[Rastalovich]

My son can now do repairs on his own at the age of 12 and all so knows how to do full installs and diagnose problems. the only problem i have is hes all so taken a interest in hacking.. but ill sort that out.

I'd encourage that tbh, just curb it.

12/13 I was flying in 6502 (6510 really). Couldn't grab hold of a modem fast enough.

But the thing is with coding and the like, ur understanding of math explodes.

 

[mayhem]

Yup my sons math's is top of the class (hes in a advanced class) but his English has a lot to be desired ..

Yeh he getting curbed in the hacking side due to him losing his PC and having some many restraints and port blocks on his system its a nightmare for him to even host a game or to. He will learn one way or another but hes still young.

think its more of a curios side with kids but it did get me into trouble 1 time.

 

[Rastalovich]

Yup my sons math's is top of the class (hes in a advanced class) but his English has a lot to be desired ..

..... hmm sounds like me .....

 

[mayhem]

got to add some thing in the mix here.

U should not block you kids from the net just curb its use. The net is a invaluable place for children to learn things. if you take this away you are removing a very important part of technology that has far more benefits then any thing else on it.

There are loads of learning web sites out there and many schools run web sites were kids can log in and chat to mates and on forums very much like this one. These are very stickily controlled.

All so the BBC run one of the best kids web sites out there that is just fantastic learning tools and "FREE" ....

Just add web filters to you router or to the pc that's all that is needed.

 

[Rastalovich]

Yeah, aslong as it's supervised, the internet is THE tool of the day.

What u don't want is a child entering "cheats" into google and exploring the results, looking for their console favorite.

In terms of patterning access, it doesn't apply to those sites that don't announce themselves.

 

[JN]

Web access is something that I'd probably introduce after a while, but then as you say only by allowing certain sites through the firewall (global block, and manual whitelist). Both our kids do go on the CBBC site, but only when the missus is present and can assist.

For the moment though I'd just want her to get used to using the PC herself and having the responsibility of using something that isn't a toy. The missus may have other ideas and buy her a dolls house tho....

 

[Talonaer]

i had my 286 when i was 5. Microsoft encarta and Microsoft Dinosaurs, mixed with a little scooters magic castle. Quickly moved onto x-wing, syndicate and transport tycoon though.

But no id sa its a great age to start, if its kept off the internet these days!

 

[Toxcity]

Voted before I read the thread.

I think it is a good idea UNLESS you allow them net access.

 

[nathan]

Certainly go for a computer. There's soooo much educational software now a days. If you need any advice on them, let me know as i work with it everyday.

a bit of software we use that i can sort you out with is lanschool.