How old was your child when he started using the computer?

Question

my son is 5 going on 6 quickly...since september he has been playing on the computer at first only a computer game I installed but quikly he figured the net....so I sent him only on sites I knew and trusted.....but now he is getting really good...he knows where to go what to do....so I set up his own user on my computer(so he won't delete anything on mine...nearly happened once,lol)...but now I will have to limit his user because he is downloading all types of games....any ideas for me and how old was your child when they started using the computer by themselves

Answer 1

my sons 5 and has basic knowledge

Answer 2

I Was 7 When I Used The Computer....But Wasn't Allowed To Use The Internet Un-Supervised Until I Was 10. (We Had New Internet With Firewalls...Ect)

Answer 3

His account isnt set as administrator is it? Because it shouldnt be. Because if its not I dont think hed be able to download things...

Also make sure its not possible for him to make a password.

Kids dont know what theyre doing and he could be looking at things he shouldnt be.

And by downloading random games he could possibly give your computer a virus.

Answer 4

Two.

You need to make sure you know what he is doing at all times - be with him. If he is downloading c**p, you could end up with a computer full of viruses. He's not old enough to be able to discriminate.

Answer 5

5 or 6

Answer 6

My son wasn't introduced to computers until his first day of Kindergarten.  In this day in age sure it is important for children to learn to use computers because it's become such a large part of our society but I definately think you should limit his usage because there are also other things that are equally if not more important.  For example, I know plenty of kids that are more computer literate than I am but can't write their own names to save their lives!  Balance it out.

Answer 7

My oldest daughter was 6 when she really knew how to navigate through the different websites and my youngest daughter was 4 when she really knew what she was doing. She watched her sister alot and picked it up very quickly. It is weird how good these little children are at computers- I only know how to check my email and shop!

Answer 8

my daughter was 4 when we started letting her get on the computer and we installed a parent lock on the computer.  you can look them up on the net.  it has helped me with "watching" her when i'm not in the room.

Answer 9

I am a child but I can say that my brother and I were very young when we started on the computer - I was 2 or 3 at the least, and he was 3-5.  We had some great educational games and stuff (this was back when you had the 6" floppy disks and you had to insert one, type in a code, then insert the other one and type in another code for you to get a game to work.  My older brother had all the codes memorized by the time he was six.)

it sounds like an unhealthy way for two children to learn, but it really set us up for becoming great at computers later in our lives and it was a way for me and him to really bond with each other and with our parents.

Answer 10

My son has been allowed to play on the computer since around 3.  He has bookmarked sites that he knows he is allowed to go to as well as a drawer full of educational games he can play on the computer.  All of his time is supervised in that we know he's on there and periodically check on him when he's playing on the computer.  He's almost 6 now and is very knowledgeable.

Answer 11

i was 6.

Answer 12

Tell him what sites he is aloud to visit, put them on the favorites list, if you see him on another site, you take away the privilege. He needs to know that you will be checking on him regularly. I would spend time with him on the computer, show interest in what he's doing. He should not be aloud to just download things onto the computer. Explain to him that if he downloads things without you checking it out first, it may contain a virus or spy-ware that could break his computer, or worse. Then you need to research more sites for him, so he doesn't get board. I would really limit time on the computer, it can become an addiction.

One more thing, I really suggest not having the computer in his room. It could prove dangerous down the line, when he starts chatting on line, and emailing.

Answer 13

My son was 4 when we started letting him get on the internet to play games, but he is only allowed to go to the sites that we have bookmarked for him.  He's now 5 1/2.

Answer 14

My son was about 6.. He is now 8 and he has a KOL account through AOL.. I was able to block him for going onto any chat rooms... I block it to where nobody can email him.. etc. etc.. We have a list of favorites that he can automatically go to.. If he wants to check out a new game then he has to ask me or his father to check it out first..

As for him Downloading games.. Did you put his account for a child?? If so then he shouldnt be able to download anything..