[Trakker]

modi123_1, on 5 Aug, 2009 - 03:22 PM, said:

I think a better question would be how told to introduce them to 4chan.

Really - the earlier the age they can learn to battle a troll or win a flame war the better they will be in the long run, right?

Goes hand-in-hand with whois searches, learning to use google maps, and constructing your first flamethrower!

[seeP+]

A kid should get his/her own computer when they are open to other options other than computers. Give them a choice, don't just brainwash them into needing a computer. Let them know that they can go outside and play, etc.. If through all that they still want a computer instead of a skate board, or a football, they should own a computer.

[DaneAU]

As soon as they can read and write without a spell checker they should get a computer. Earlier the better, however saying that i think computers are not the best method of teaching or socialising and subsequently parents need to be careful their child is still outdoors living an active lifestyle and being amongst real people and real situations

[WolfCoder]

I think lots of the outdoor styles will become obsolete. It's probably going to be the stuff of third world countries.

[FurryFreak]

I would've loved to have a computer when I was a kid but my parents could never afford it. Hell, I couldn't afford to get my own until I was like 20, hence why I've only just realized that computing (graphics or programming) is the job for me in the last few years and would've gone to college when I left school instead of now. So I think kids should have access to a variety of things to see what interests them the most and that they're good at so that they can pursue it from an early age and therefore know what they want to do when they finish high school. I would give my kid a computer if they showed a genuine interest in learning computing/programming, but also make sure they socialized with other kids (not to the point of forcing though, if they are the socially inept type like me). I would also make sure I could f***ing afford to get everything they needed before even thinking about having a child (not that I want one anyway).

[krzysz00]

look, whenever it is, stick a REAL operating system (also known as LINUX) on it

[poncho4all]

I would think that if you are gonna give a kid a comp under the 12 you would need to be there alot teaching and watching what he she is doing, after the 13 they are usually alot into chatting and more less dangerous things, because they go looking for something specific and not just wondering around

[hyteck]

poncho4all, on 2 Sep, 2009 - 07:11 PM, said:

I would think that if you are gonna give a kid a comp under the 12 you would need to be there alot teaching and watching what he she is doing, after the 13 they are usually alot into chatting and more less dangerous things, because they go looking for something specific and not just wondering around

True, maybe not so much as get a computer but have access to one at home in the living room or office, some place you can keep a eye on what they're doing.

[no2pencil]

Neumann, on 2 Sep, 2009 - 09:31 PM, said:

krzysz00, on 29 Aug, 2009 - 05:29 PM, said:

look, whenever it is, stick a REAL operating system (also known as LINUX) on it

I bet you use Ubuntu.

Hi-Five

[hyteck]

krzysz00, on 29 Aug, 2009 - 05:29 PM, said:

look, whenever it is, stick a REAL operating system (also known as LINUX) on it

Opposed to the fake mythical Operating Systems.

[VentiLator]

give a kid a damn slow comp with linux. this will form it for life!

[Ice(ITB)]

I've had a pc since I was 4, it wasn't in my room but in our house's office which as a result became my room XD

Yeah I think kids should have a pc or laptop when their young as long if they are actually interested in having one. I would definitely make sure they still got the whole outdoors and social thing down as well. Basically exactly what my parents did

The only thing that swayed my decision on doing CS was remembering sitting down hour after hour gazing into my cancer ray eimmiting CRT monitor XD ...weirdly its a good memory and I'm so glad i did choose it.


My cousin actually asked me if it was a right idea to buy her son a laptop when he was 11 I said well yeah its always a good idea to get them introduced to them.... but I also gave her some advice on locking it down to keep it and him safe .... poor lad XD

This post has been edited by Ice(ITB): 06 September 2009 - 08:46 AM

[PsychoCoder]

krzysz00, on 29 Aug, 2009 - 04:29 PM, said:

look, whenever it is, stick a REAL operating system (also known as LINUX) on it

Boy I hate to break it to you but Windows is a real OS, probably why it's used almost 5 to 1 over Linux

[rucaus14]

Totally get a computer at young age! It doesn't need to be the greatest thing ever, just something were they can use the internet and create documents. I started when I was 10 with HTML language and now I am 15 and program in multiple languages! This is a very useful resource in the world.