The word to remember here is "responsibility", parental responsibility. The computer can be a tool for learning, to play games on, to write reports on. It is part of the new world of technology: cellphones, emailing, texting, twittering. It's here to stay. We can use it it wisely or let it use us.

The key is to know what your kids are doing on the computer, set boundaries, and make sure they're protected from preditors, trash, and, hopefully, misinformation.

We are all concerned with the ease by which porn is spread through cyberspace, and we protect our kids from it. But how many parents think about email as a source of porn. I have three email accounts. Two are have very effective spam (trash) blockers. One is full of invitations for stuff and services I wouldn't want to repeat here. We should be careful about our kids email accounts and what they're requesting or receiving from spammers without our knowledge.

The internet and cyberspace are here to stay. We have to introduce our kids to it, but we also have to monitor it and provide guidance.

Not providing underprivileged kids with computer access because it might be trouble is like not sending them to college because they might drink. Playing video games, looking at porn and myspace my not be the ideal circumstance to train kids on technology, but at least if they are participating in delinquent behavior they are doing it from home. When kids are poor, uneducated, bored and disconnected they turn to things outside the home for stimulation.

I agree with ExPat, parental responsibility is key when it comes to restricting unsavory information from getting to our children. But as someone who works in the IT field, these "time-wasters" stimulate kids minds in a different way than the non-interactive world of television. Those kids turning pale in front of their game screen might be the CEOs of the next Google tomorrow.

Our 4yo grandchild is constantly asking questions and wanting to Google for answers. There is definitely so much more to offer to stimulate a child's mind now, but yes, RESPONSIBILITY is where we start. Just like TV's, if parents allow the computer to become the babysitter, then kids will abuse it the same way. My son teaches computer animation, but does most of his free-lance work doing educational animated videos. He has said that this technology is like the Aztecs. They had the wheel, but only used it with toys. When they built their temples, it never seemed to occur to them that those same things that propelled their kids' toys about, would be useful on the bigger projects. Thus he feels that we tend to think that so much of the technology that computers have wrought, like 3D animation, is only good for fun and games. The real power of the technology is still to be tapped. Stay tuned. He will show the way...

First and foremost, I totally agree with what everyone has said so far. I began using computers when I would have had to buy another house, probably larger actually, just to house the CPU required to support the applications I use and now depend on from my desktop and cell phone. This is exciting stuff that will be able to provide answers to questions that are not even contemplated now.

I do have two concerns. The first one being that the "technical revolution" continues to almost exponentially out pace the always slow resolution of all the newly arising moral and ethical dilemmas that have resulted.

The second one I must say is based on nostalgia. It saddens me to think that perhaps some of the eventual outcomes of ready, easy access to so much knowledge and virtual experience will result in empty museums, libraries, zoos, and perhaps even schools. But like I said, this is just an emotional knee-jerk response and I'm feeling kinda old today.

"Onward through the fog", full-speed ahead, but watch out for those pesky ice burgs!

Just a thought; you all know by now that I'm in high school, and /this/ is the sort of thing I do on the internet in my spare time.

SSJ:
Personal computers and the internet [at least in my experience] have definately no negative impact on museums, libraries, zoos, or schools. Popular websites like Deviantart [an online art community with millions of members [including myself] from all walks of life] have fueled [once again, at least my] lust for art. What started with a simple website that looked like a fun alternative to myspace has lead to my avid dedication to taking art photography and critiquing other's art, even influencing my other forms of entertainment [OvationTV is my favorite chanel]. I've been dying to get out to a good museum for a long, but because money is tight anywhere, I can't. Deviantart is a glorious substitute, allowing me to not only comment [and recieve responses] on any type of art known to man, but made it possible for me to pursue my own art career.
You can search the local library without leaving home [that comes in useful the night before projects are due, as a trip takes time and who knows if you'll get anything useful]. As for zoos, there's a freaking live panda-cam you can access online when you want to see Tia-Shan without making the six hour trip. Schools definately benefit [my history teacher last semester often offered extra credit to find a Wikipedia article on subjects like how the pope gets elected, or "What's the word that I'm thinking of? I think it starts with a 'j'..."]

Lovey,

Your words, your description of how you use these magnificent tools is definitely calming to my concerns.

As far as the Panda-cam goes, I'll always want to be able to breath the same air it's breathing, smell it (good or bad), feel the air of excitement around me that is emanating from all the others experiencing a panda for the first time too. Some things will always be worth the trip. Virtual is a splendid substitute, just not a replacement. If you can't get to the museum or it's just way to hot to go to an arboretum, virtual is a very good solution.

btw, I sure wish I had PC when I was in High School, especially with access to sites such as the ones you mentioned.

Thanks for reading my words and your feedback.

..... also, I've made a point to check out Deviantart, it sounds like it might be up our alley. We are always on the lookout for "outsider art" for our home and our shop. Photo editing software has got me hooked on photography and graphic art but I'm strictly just an amateur that has a few moments.

What is your preferred art form?

Lovey and SSJ,

I am so glad you are discussing the possibilities of technology impacting those loftier pursuits for good instead of replacing them. That is my life's goal as someone who is double majoring in Information Technology and Interdisciplinary Humanities. My passions in life are reading, art and history but I knew that if I followed those loves as a career, I was risking extinction. So I want to enhance museum, library and archival studies through technology. My love of technology is one only for a tool to get closer to my true passions.

I know that technology has enabled a certain dumbing down of society, it is important to keep balance. Computers can't replace going to a symphony, but you can get home and look up all the sheet music, and study the Era it was written, and get a short biography of the composer, maybe meet in a forum to share with others. It is amazing what sort of community and camaraderie the internet inspires. It never ceases to fascinate me.

Here! Here! Look at our little internet community!

I think we've got ourselves a nice little neighborhood of global viewpoints.

MaryShelley, a hearty elcome to you and your ideas to the neighborhood. I hope you'll enjoy it with us.

oops, forgot welcomes "w"

welcome's that is

To: MaryShelley,

Yes, welcome to our little group. You'll find the content to be stimulating and a great way to start the day.

SSJ:
I'm really into vintage photography [low-tech lomography and the like] . Basically I buy old cameras, use expired film, adjust color balances and the like. I love the slightly-off feel of it, I don't know. Most people don't get passionate about photography as much as they do about paintings, like photography doesn't require work, but I love looking at a great shot. You know that way that it almost physically pains you how awesome it is? [I'm not talking about boring landscapes "Ooh, the sun. Like I don't see that every day.", I mean something like a guy with that perfect expression in his eye, walking away from said sunset.]
I also do lots of poetry, nothing worth sharing with the world.
I just feel like my thoughts are organized better when they rhyme.

As for the panda, I've actually seen it and it's behind a glass wall, so no breathing/smelling. [It is very cute, however [http://i27.tinypic.com/21edcgj.jpg]]

Greetings: Computers...um, I am currently using my 10yr old sons lap top. I don't have one. I have been reading this site since conception just because of my affection for all things J. Peterman. It took weeks before I "contributed". I use it to find info on things that interest me: cars, boats, and boats and cars.
I am addicted and use and check sites several times daily just to see whats out there (cars and boats) and of course to educate myself by reading ya'lls thoughts. It's wonderful.

I am taking my kids out of school this fall to sail them to the West Indies and spend a month just showing them the world that I love and where I spent several years before I made the decision to return to NC and join society. My 10 yr old has pulled out my old charts and has learned how to plot a course using dead reconing with just basic tools. He is confused because a GPS is not needed. (At this point anyway). Yes we will use it of course, I just want him to understand how the current technology gets its info. Needless to say, we are all very excited.

The computer, as you know, is a great learning and teaching tool. The more you know, the more you know there is to know. AND, The more you know there is to know, the more you want to know.

Oh dear... Capt. N. has been secretly looking in and probably taking notes. Do we need to be concerned about any past hints at edgy things like twittering? Do any of you want to run for high public office? If so, I guess our anonimity is a good thing!

But aside from that, way to go, Capt. N.! What a wonderful sounding trip! Can we go too?

Thanks for the welcome. I have been reading this site since the beginning, it goes great with my coffee.

Education: that which reveals to the wise, and conceals from the stupid, the vast limits of their knowledge.

This site is even better when you add biscotti to your coffee.

That was Mark Twain, not me.

Nept.Neptune,

none-the-less, it sounds like something you would have said . . . the trip/experience you are taking with your family is the stuff dreams are made of. Good for you!