Quick Poll - sorry if a repeat - When is it OK for DCs to have their own computer?

[quidnunc]

I am going to get DS a laptop. I don't mean access to a shared PC, but a laptop with (safe) internet access in his room.

Is there any good reason why this is a bad idea?!

I've found some apparently excellent websites and software that are both fun and educational.

(I would also like him to manage his own bloody iTunes playlists instead of criticising mine and '...making them better, Daddy' )

So apart from the obvious internet risks, does 7 seem like an OK age?

[K999]

I got dd1 a lap top last Christmas and she was 9. I cant see any problem as long as your are monitoring them.

[JodieO]

7 seems too young to me personally. I'd wait a bit.

[Tortoise]

Personally won't be getting any of mine their own laptop/PC they are much older, maybe 16!

We have a family PC in the front room and a mini notebook laptop which they all get use of as well in the front room.

[quidnunc]

Hmm. I might re-think this!

The family PC is in an inconvenient place that makes monitoring difficult. For lots of reasons I don't want him using my laptop. So I figured I could get a cheap laptop & have a white-listed browser.

His school do not say anything about having access to a PC at home, but they implicity encourage it, gived the type of projects they come up with.

thanks for the thoughts.

[JodieO]

Could you sit with him while he uses the family pc? Have a set amount of time a day/week that he can use it and just spend it with him if possible. I'd prfer mine to be using a family pc/laptop if I'm honest, especially at that age.