Should preteens/young teens get laptops?

**LastDragonfly** · 05-18-2009, 02:37 PM

My 12 y/o dd. recently purchased her own laptop with $$ she earned from her Saturday job. I homeschool so I know when she is on the computer. She is VERY mature and knows that she can't publish anything without momma approval. She is limited to the sites she can go to and she can only be online in our living room and kitchen...no secret private sessions.

I will say this. She is learning to manage her time using a calendar...she schedules writing time (she is in the process of writing 3 books--dont ask me why, but she is putting them on her "one note")

We are very strict and she has not yet abused her priveleges. It is a good leveraging tool....room cleaned? no? no computer? homework complete? yes? add 30 mintues to your daily alotment of computer time....

All this being said, laptops and preteens are not for everyone...do what is best for your children...maybe not letting them get a laptop immediately will make them more appreciative when they do get one....

just my

**hollyhill** · 05-18-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle68

My DS(13) has a really old desktop he uses in our front room. His desktop is crashing constantly now. We just bought a laptop on Craigslist and I'm allowing him to use it, but it has to be in the living room. Although he's mature for his age and a good kid, I think it's best to keep an eye on things. He doesn't mind too much having to use it in the living room, because now he can watch t.v. and play Runescape on the laptop at the same time. We might be a bit overprotective but I think it's best to keep things in sight, at least as long as they're younger.

We really need to get updated equipment for our kids. It is essential these days for school and research. Having said that if we had a laptop it would be a living room only item and there are ways of securing the system with passwords so that internet access is supervised.

WE try and keep our children so busy, that the computer is used only with a few favourite games and schoolwork... and that has worked very well in our home and we have a 17, 14 and 11 year olds.
They have too many other interests to fixate on the computer.... I probably spend more time on it than anyone else...

Keep em busy is my motto.....