Tree House Academy Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 My son is 9 and his dad is getting him a computer for Christmas. We are really excited that he is getting on, but we have also decided no internet access of his own. The computer will be in the school room and he may use my internet (supervised) if/when he needs something. Otherwise, he will not have it. Am I being a miser? I just don't want to worry about what he is doing online, nor do I want to fork over the $$$ to get him hooked up on a computer that is 3 feet from my desk/computer. WWYD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We just have the one family computer, but I let both dc play games online (buildabearville, starfall). It's in a main room, and I have banned a few websites (barbie.com was one). They won't ever have one in their rooms or anything, but I have no problem with it where I can supervise, even though I don't sit with them the whole time. They also have their own email address, but I have to sign them in (they don't know the password) - it's fun for them to get pics from Grandma and hopefully they'll be able to email their cousins soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Indeed Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Only when I am right there. Too many sick sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnetteB Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I can almost(not really) laugh about this now that we approach the two year mark. While I was really ill with sinusitis and another infection two of our dc (then 9 and 11 and thick as thieves) went online and over a two day period filled a cart at Lego.com and placed an order! I have never ordered from that site, never even looked at it. I didn't see the order confirmation email for several days because I was so ill that I was not online. The computer is right in the middle of our living room and their only permitted online activity was library access and contact with their big sis. The company could not/would not stop the near $500 order from shipping even though they said the packages were still in their warehouse, but they did take it back and issue a full refund including shipping after I refused delivery. I had to dispute the bill with the credit card company to avoid paying for it while we worked it out. When confronted the dc denied placing the order :glare: I caught ds writing a note...he was planning to run away and was telling us to let the other kids keep the stuff and feeling hurt that we didn't believe him. Imagine my horror at the thought he might have actually run away, I can't... Our browser history showed their "shopping" and "cart filling" activities and they matched up with the times I was holding my head in pain. Obviously, they were not old enough for the internet, plastic credit card, and alternate realities. It was such a blow to us that they could not be trusted and a sad example of how sin separates us from those we love. We are password protected and they are watched!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We only have internet access on one computer and internet time is supervised. I have created a list of bookmarks for ds to use, some school related and some fun links. If he wishes to look at anything else he must ask first. He is not allowed to "surf the net." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Yes. On our main computer in a main living area using bookmarks that I have set for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hose Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I can almost(not really) laugh about this now that we approach the two year mark. While I was really ill with sinusitis and another infection two of our dc (then 9 and 11 and thick as thieves) went online and over a two day period filled a cart at Lego.com and placed an order! I have never ordered from that site, never even looked at it. I didn't see the order confirmation email for several days because I was so ill that I was not online. The computer is right in the middle of our living room and their only permitted online activity was library access and contact with their big sis. The company could not/would not stop the near $500 order from shipping even though they said the packages were still in their warehouse, but they did take it back and issue a full refund including shipping after I refused delivery. I had to dispute the bill with the credit card company to avoid paying for it while we worked it out. When confronted the dc denied placing the order :glare: I caught ds writing a note...he was planning to run away and was telling us to let the other kids keep the stuff and feeling hurt that we didn't believe him. Imagine my horror at the thought he might have actually run away, I can't... Our browser history showed their "shopping" and "cart filling" activities and they matched up with the times I was holding my head in pain. Obviously, they were not old enough for the internet, plastic credit card, and alternate realities. It was such a blow to us that they could not be trusted and a sad example of how sin separates us from those we love. We are password protected and they are watched!! Even if you're not laughing now, just think what a great memory that will be in a few years! :D Definitely a story for the grandkids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshinkevich Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Yes, but we have some type of nanny software on there, and I'm usually near by anyway. The computer is in a living area, not a private space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caryn Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I do not allow my kids on the internet without supervision. They have a few favorite links that I allowed them. Other than that, they do not surf the net. It's not them I do not trust but the internet itself is the problem. Caryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We have 1 computer and it is in the middle of the house.There are certain sites that dc are not allowed to go to like myspace and facebook.They are not allowed to open e-mail unless we know who it is from.There are strict rules about not giving out identifiable personal information.The children are not allowed to get up early or stay up late to be on the computer.We will never allow the children to have their own computers with internet access in their rooms while they are under the age of 18 or we are paying their living expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 My daughter uses my old desk top which is upstairs in a large stair landing area that doubles as a home office. My son uses an old laptop wherever he wants to use is which is sometimes in the living room and sometimes in his bedroom. They have screen time limits but have free reign online. They usually play online games, email friends, blog (they each have their own) and participate in an online social networking community set up just for homeschool kids. They know they are not allowed to participate in any online chat unless it is at a preapproved site. They also know not to respond to email from people that they do not know. They know not to share personal information. They also know that I reserve the right to check their activities and email without notice. In the 6 and 4 years (respectively) that they've been online, they've only messed up once and that was before I explained and began the no chat rule. Since then they've proven themselves responsible and trustworthy so we see no need to add any restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekanamom Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Yes, my kids each have a laptop, email accounts, and need to get online to access their school lessons. But, we have parental controls on, and they may only go to pre-approved sites. (They do not have unlimited internet access.) The computers stay on the school table in the school room which is in the middle of the house with a very open floor plan. This has worked out very well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 My kids go only to sites I have personally bookmarked for them. Some sites are kept as permanent bookmarks on their homepages (game sites, some reference sites, National Geographic, etc.). If they need to do research, I google and select sites that they can use. They absolutely never, ever google on their own. They also do email, but it goes through my account so I can keep tabs on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanestMomInMidwest Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 my dc go online to play nickjr.com, pbskids.com, Nova, and other trusted sites, using the "kids computer". I bookmark the sites for them so they can get to them easily. My ds8 also does google searches. We have a parental conrol, spam filter, and firewall, so I'm not overly concerned that he will run across something inappropriate. If he does, I know he'll tallk to me about it, and it will be a good learning experience (for everyone, no doubt). ETA: I would not allow internet in his room, b/c I don't want him to isolate himself from the rest of the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Yes, my kids have internet and have done for a long time. However, you are in a situation where your child is getting his own computer for the first time- the novelty value and potential fun of that will last a LONG time if you get him games. By the time he is begging for internet access he will be older and you can reconsider. I know the whole danger on the internet thing is a serious issue for consideration. I have so far found my kids to be responsible in terms of what they look for, and if they come across something innappropriate accidently they just backspace. As homeschooling kids, the internet is a part of their social life- dd14 in particular spends time online everyday chatting with her friends from Scouts, and homeschoolers....and their computers are in public space- we can see what they are doing if we want to. Yes, sometimes issues come up...dd started takign her laptop to her bedroom until we discovered it- so we stopped that. Its not that she was doing anything wrong, as in looking at bad stuff....its jsut that she stays up socialising with her friends online, far too late. We are the first generation that has had this issue and we all have to find our own way with it. Maybe future generations will have the benefit of hindsight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 My daughter uses my old desk top which is upstairs in a large stair landing area that doubles as a home office. My son uses an old laptop wherever he wants to use is which is sometimes in the living room and sometimes in his bedroom. They have screen time limits but have free reign online. They usually play online games, email friends, blog (they each have their own) and participate in an online social networking community set up just for homeschool kids. They know they are not allowed to participate in any online chat unless it is at a preapproved site. They also know not to respond to email from people that they do not know. They know not to share personal information. They also know that I reserve the right to check their activities and email without notice. In the 6 and 4 years (respectively) that they've been online, they've only messed up once and that was before I explained and began the no chat rule. Since then they've proven themselves responsible and trustworthy so we see no need to add any restrictions. Mine have yet to "mess up" but I'm sure they will someday. However, they have shown to be very responsible. Oldest does a fair amount of online gaming (Runescape) and research on animation, programming and gaming. Youngest is an magician and watches a lot of online instructional videos and participates in magic-related forums. Access (time and content) is controlled by rules on our router. No facebook or myspace allowed at this time. K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We have wireless internet, but the boys are only allowed to use it in one of the public rooms. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beansprouts Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 My 9 1/2 year old daughter does use the internet for internet-linked books, and approved websites for research and games. I have shown her how to use Wiki as well as our World Book subscription. She does not yet try to google on her own. We have one computer and a laptop with WiFi which she can also use, but neither of them belong to her exclusively. When she has the need and the maturity I would buy her a laptop, but I don't see that happening for several years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 You definitely need to monitor or put kid safe controls on your internet access for children. My husband and I were looking around on YouTube the other day and he typed in something completely innocent and the video offerings that came back were far from innocent. I had a similar experience while looking for a recipe of all things. Because my husband is a super computer geek, both our 6 and 7 year old children have their own computers (built by Dad) in their rooms. The two computers are networked to our computer, which of course, has internet access. My husband has set their computers to only access sites he has approved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylark Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I only let them have access when I am right there with them watching. When I'm online I come across things I don't want to see, so I think it's very dangerous for them to be on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Yes. My kids have very liberal internet access. They are older than yours; but they've been able to get on and surf for........as long as I can remember. Our computers are in central places and they have rules and guidelines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquilt Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Only in our main living area and only on sites previously approved by myself; I don't think I would allow internet in a bedroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 We have one computer with internet access and it sits in our living room. DC know that they will not have one in their room because of all the bad things that could happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamnkats Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 My son is 9 and his dad is getting him a computer for Christmas. We are really excited that he is getting on, but we have also decided no internet access of his own. The computer will be in the school room and he may use my internet (supervised) if/when he needs something. Otherwise, he will not have it. Am I being a miser? I just don't want to worry about what he is doing online, nor do I want to fork over the $$$ to get him hooked up on a computer that is 3 feet from my desk/computer. WWYD? I'm not sure why you'd need to fork money over. Are you on dial-up? Otherwise, just use a router. All 4 of mine have unlimited internet access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellifera Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Dc need us to get them on the internet as they don't know the password. The computer is also only accessible with a password. I do let the oldest use the computer/internet at the library (I had to sign a waver). He isn't on that one all that long as a rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Our computer is central and yes, our older 3 have internet access. We also have a firewall, etc. Even with that we've had pop-ups of porn (not recently but in the past). My almost 9 yr old would love to have access but the answer is "no." He is too visual, his personality is to young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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