to let 3 of my kids have their own computers?

[Rosbo]

my MIL thinks its spoilt to let them have their own computers, however they are teenagers and use them for schoolwork as well as other things such as social networking sites like facebook and MSN messenger with their friends. Many of their friends have their own laptops or computers too. My dd2 aged 16, recently described herself as "Complete" when her hair straighteners were fixed as she "found it hard to cope" without them. Are my kids becoming too materialistic for their own good?

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We really are not talking about 5 yr olds though - we're on about teenagers...it gets confusing when threads become about something else doesn't it?

I would not be particularly bothered about a 5 yr old having his/ her own computer as long as it was safe, I wouldn't be happy with unsupervised internet access for example.

It's extremely hard to understand this unless you are there already with your teenagers as well...

My daughter was really upset recently because she had been 'dropped' by a group of friends. This wasn't a bullying thing - she wasn't allowed out after dark and they were so she felt ostracised. We have had an open and frank discussion and met in the middle, result - she's happy and safe = I'm happy too!!

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well said rustybear (some time ago) about computers being a tool rather than "the future"

this is one of the most depressing threads I've ever read. Still, easy to know how to give your kids a real competitive edge at school if the attitudes on this thread are typical of the general population of secondary school-age parents.

They are a 'tool' but a pretty bloody useful one ski, soon to be nearly as important as the humble hammer .

I bet there's a real split between those posters who have and do not have current teenage children to be honest.

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