should kids be allowed to use the internet?

at some point in time they will need to learn how to use it as many jobs use the internet and computers. However, parents need to monitor what they are doing on line and make sure that they are safe. I do not think that young children belong serfing the web but as they get older it can be and is an useful tool for doing research and communication.

It's as safe as anything else. Nothing is 100% safe, including driving down the street. But the dangers of the internet are minimal, with a little age-appropriate supervision.

I think they should be allowed to use the internet when they are old enough and responsible enough to go out somewhere without an adult. I know thats a different situation but it has the same sort of consiquences if they arn't old enough or responsible enough. Depending on how much parental control you have over what children can access on the internet(firewall, preset parental control etc.) also depends on whether children will be safe online. I would check on what my son goes on and clearly explain what he can't go on. I'd check that he hasn't gone on anything i said not to. I know it may seem rude to check on what hes been on, but i would only be doing it to make sure hes not going on anything thats not safe. Once i know hes ok with going on it, i won't check on it as often because i wouldn't want to be like my parents were always like. Hes too young at the moment anyway, but i'm talking about when hes older. ~Joeys wife

Safe, not always therefore for younger children it is probably best to get them a specifically-created for their age group, computer they can use all by them self ! If your television is compatible for this there are programs that make your family room tv a child's computer that not only is safe but always encouraging for them to learn and compute or program on their own. The software is safe because you pick what stuff they are allowed to watch or play or interact with. Learning is now so exciting, wow I wish we had interactive hardware and software compatible with our tv's when we were growing up. To encourage them in visual-motor skills is a credible factor on allowing your children to experience visual creativity besides textual structure and good penmanship, it is a plethora of good value but does need monitoring, no question ! sharing the light and happy new year, Miss Erica Hidvegi, the Enlightenment_Advisor, B.A. Psych/M.A. Transpersonal Studies- Cnslng/Author, Artist, Photographer, Entrepreneur & Freelance extraordinaire http://www.enlightenment-psych.net/body.htm

Hi joseanand, Now-a-days kids should be allowed to use the internet, but under constant monitoring of elders.Kids are being taught computer courses right from the kinder garden, and keeping the fast developing Internet world, it is necessary that our kids are to be on par with others and they should be able to compete. We all know how Internet is misused by kids, for that sake we cannot say 'No' to internet - but we should keep track on what our kids are doing and once this is done their activities can be put to worth surfing. Good Luck.

you should have a parental control software to block unwanted websites. furthermore the internet is a great source of knowledge

i personally dont think it is safe at all...even on sites that are specially made for young kids, you never know what preditors are on them. to combat that you can put parental guards on your pc or do as we do, closely moniter what the kids are on (our computer is in the kitchen - i would NEVER allow my kids to have one in their room!)

yes and no. Some kids, wayyy to immature. I would personally allow maybe a 9 year online, show them the sites where it's okay to go. If that goes well, introduce more sites appropriate for the age group. As the kid gets older and more mature, slowly introduce the ability to explore wherever they want, as long as it's appropriate. However, start out by being firm in what defines appropriate, and be prepared with consequences if things start to go wrong.