I know plenty of folks here have given their children their own computers early on, but we're more screen-cautious here. However, DD10 has gotten really into writing recently, and this summer, she wants to write a book. She's been working on our clunky old desktop (ETA: this is the "kid computer"--we also have a laptop but that's mine and in pretty constant use), but it's a drag for all involved. Yesterday DH turned to me after she left the room and said, "She really needs her own little laptop." I had to concede that he was totally right. She likes privacy to write in, and I totally understand this. It would be better if she could go in her own room and write. And I know she could write longhand, but she is transitioning to wanting to compose on the keyboard and I don't want to discourage that.
However, I am very wary about giving her this kind of access. Also, we had sort of agreed that our next tech purchase would be a family tablet (we do not own one) since there really are so many cool educational apps now. We do have smartphones, but have no plans to get the kids phones any time soon and ours are Androids--we notice there are still a lot of apps (especially music/animation, both of which really interest DD) which are iPad only.
So...two questions, I guess:
1) For those who have computers for their children, how do you manage the addictive aspect? I was considering a daily change of wireless password, for one--so she would only have access when I gave it to her. But the possibility of private use of the Internet is concerning.
2) Jeez, tablet or laptop/notebook PC? Tablet with keyboard? What's the status of that situation these days? I'm not very techie so I don't know how that's all shaking out--can you actually write in Word or a Word-facismile on an iPad now?
Last edited by ultramarina; 06/02/14 07:53 AM.
