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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get my 7 year old a laptop?

20 replies

RedbreastRobin · 12/09/2013 09:26

I'm genuinely unsure about this one.

We have a desktop Pc that is used predominantly for my husbands business - the boys (7 + 4) do have a special log in for it that only allows them to access films and games, but as it's usually hidden by stacks of paperwork it's not very accessible.

I have my own laptop that is strictly not for kids, DH has an iPad, strictly not for kids, and they have a nexus tablet each that is set on a special app that only allows access to specific apps that I preset (only educational).

However, DS now has his own room with a desk and I have thought about getting him something that he can surf the internet and send emails to his Dad. Not Facebook, and strict parental controls. He's fascinated by facts and is always asking me to 'google' this or that. He's recently discovered the thrills of Wikipedia! His room his covered in encyclopaedias and fact books and I really think he would benefit by having direct access to the internet.

But.... he's 7

Hmm
OP posts:
Doesnotdrinkalcohol · 12/09/2013 09:29

Internet access in kids bedrooms is a bad idea, and irresponsible in my opinion. If you move his desk to a family area then YANBU.

Original poster
RedbreastRobin · 12/09/2013 09:31

It would be restricted access....only certain websites that he could get to.

OP posts:
MamaTo3Boys · 12/09/2013 09:32

I'd say its perfectly fine as long as you monitor what he's going on and have the appropriate parental controls on. Maybe check the Internet history every now and then to make sure hes only using it for what it's intended for.

My 7yo Loves going on the PC. So I bought a laptop for myself and put the desktop in his room. I have a homework timer on it so he can only use the Internet at certain times in the day and I have completely blocked all social networking sites, sites with unsuitable content on etc and I check the Internet history every morning once hes in school.

So far so good Smile

cantspel · 12/09/2013 09:34

i would get him the laptop and just put some decent security on it. I also see nothing wrong with computers in bedrooms both of my sons have had wifi in their rooms for years. They are now teens and have not turned into porn surfing degenerates.

3birthdaybunnies · 12/09/2013 09:36

I would say YABU to put it in his room - he will want more access as he gets older and the precedence has already been set then, much harder to take it out. You could maybe get one for their use (or upgrade yours) which they can use in family areas though.

Squitten · 12/09/2013 09:37

Does he need solo access to the internet? If you really can lock it all down that well, great, but I would still be concerned that you're going to end up with a hermit who suddenly spends all his time locked away with his laptop.

My 5yr old has a few games on the Ipad and and watches films on it (we don't have a TV) and it's already a bit of a fight to get it back off him. I wouldn't want him to have uncontrolled use.

Original poster
RedbreastRobin · 12/09/2013 09:38

I think it will be nice for him to email his Dad as well...and great practice. School have already said he's a bit behind on his typing

OP posts:
Original poster
RedbreastRobin · 12/09/2013 09:40

Mamato3boys - that;s what I intend to do - a timer.

TBH though he's never really been that into games unlike 4yoDS who would sit for days uninterrupted playing Mario, he's very take it or leave it. He'll get bored after half hour on the Wii so I'm not overly concerned that he'll turn into a hermit

OP posts:
MamaTo3Boys · 12/09/2013 09:42

Just give it a try and see how he gets on with it.

You are the best judge of your son and how responsible he'll be with it. If it doesn't work out you can always tell him that he's to use it in front of you/in a family room so you can clearly see what he's doing.

ilovesooty · 12/09/2013 09:47

You know your son and with the right security in place it sounds as though he would benefit from it.

MattZelst · 12/09/2013 10:09

when I was seven I played out... you know, outside?

livinginwonderland · 12/09/2013 10:11

I don't see a problem so long as you set up strict rules. Not in the bedroom, no food and drink anywhere near it, always have it somewhere safe (ie. a table) so it doesn't get knocked into the floor/dropped/smashed.

BeaLola · 12/09/2013 10:23

I wouldnt want it in the bedroom but you know your chld and if he isfascinated by wiki and such then gofor it and fr emailing his Dad . Set up the boundaries with him beore he gets it - maybe birthday or christmas gift? and go for it.

JerseySpud · 12/09/2013 10:31

there is no way i would give a 7 year old their own laptop with internet access

Kids already grow up too quickly.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 12/09/2013 10:36

I don't know why but no, I wouldn't have got my DS his own lap top when he was 7. He has just started senior school and turned 11 at the end of August so he got one for his birthday. It was really expensive so just be ready that when your DS goes to secondary he will prob need another one (4 years in computer years is ancient) so you may have to update.

Can he not just keep using your DH's - does he really need one of his own. How about getting into the routine of taking him to the library at the weekends so he can surf there as well - would that work?

I dunno, 7 just seems really young to be having their own lap top - where do you go from there?

cantspel · 12/09/2013 10:38

Knowing how to use the internet doesn't make a child grow up too quickly. It is the modern equivalent of a child using a set of encyclopedia.

if you had posted you wanted to buy him the complete set of the encyclopedia britannica no one would be saying you are going to take away his childhood/he will grow up too quickly/turn into a hermit who never leaves his room. But for some reason mn seems to think computers for children will some how ruin them.

CoffeeTea103 · 12/09/2013 10:52

Why can't he send emails from the PC. You can control the access but what happens when he grows older and demands more. Also he might want to start spending more time in his room and less with the family. You have a pc to which he can use, at this age yabu.

havingamadmoment · 12/09/2013 13:03

I am getting my 9 year old a laptop for christmas. Our house is full of technology anyway as we own a software development company and she has been on computers etc pretty much from birth Grin. All the children have access to computers whenever they want but with very strict controls on the internet with only a handful of pre approved sites.

They play out loads and tbh they rarely spend very long on the computers I think because its not special thing just another toy.

ShelleyGal · 12/09/2013 13:34

I think YABU allowing him private access in his bedroom.. In my experience children learn very quickly how to get around parental controls, ESP boys!! My kids use pc in front room and are monitored. Be careful!

StuntGirl · 12/09/2013 13:54

Not his own, and not in the bedroom.

I would get a cheap 'family laptop' with strict security controls which has to be used in a shared space.

It's not so much concern for now - but setting the precedent of personal computers in private space will make it harder to exert control when he's older.

He doesn't need his own personal laptop in his private bedroom to practice typing and emailing.

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