...to wonder why parents allow thier kids free range PC's/Tablets/Smart phones etc

[ElenorRigby]

I was reading about a mum who was having awful trouble with her preteen kids who would get very angry or worse if she tried to part them from PC's.

AIBU to not get why parents let this happen?

TSSDNCOP it really depends what field you're talking about- my OH is studying Software Engineering, so knowledge about components, programming etc are vital to him, not just creativity sadly (although required)

Although his love affair with computers did start with playing games (progressing on to developing them) as a child, so you're right on that front, it could lead to deeper things

3 older teens, free range. Never had a problem. Typing speeds of 93-98wpm. They control the world from their rooms, have taught themselves languages, built their own mind blowing pcs, have friends all over the world. I have never needed to police their usage. Plz don't hold your children back.

Moderation as in all things...

DCs (4/6) have 30 mins each a day iPad time which they use for games. Apart from that they have no need at all of gadgets generally, unless DD has some homework that requires the internet (only once so far I think? When she had to research a particular person).

Occasionally she's had a little time looking at particular things online, like today DH was showing her football league tables (yawn - although he was explaining goal difference...) and looking up a local artist who visited her school, because she wants to include him in a book she is writing :o the latter would be basically impossible without the internet.

It's useful and fun, though not strictly necessary at such a young age IMO - especially as they have access at school anyway. And I am under no illusion that iPad use in childhood will have any particular benefit when they take their ICT GCSE :o

It will be many years before my DCs are using the internet unsupervised though and I totally agree with OP not letting her DCs on social media yet.