What age is it normal for a child to be able to use a computer mouse (as in drag and click) competently?

[Ceebee74]

And well enough to pretty much play a PC game by themselves with only a little bit of guidance?

i think the links from cbeebies are pretty well vetted. correct me if i'm wrong.

DDs have been very competent at using mouse by age 3.

DD1 was reading at 3 so was fine navigating alone. DD2 nearly 4 can't read but seems to recognise symbols well enough to know what's what.

i think it's good for them, in moderation. (i have a 20min kitchen timer on to limit screen time, and on the wii).

mrsz - sorry, but !! She's 3 ffs, there are no naughty external links on any on the websites she visits. In fact, there are no external links at all.

Once she gets a little older and actually starts surfing I will of course supervise. But for now, she doesn't leave the website she opens.

I abhor helicopter parenting!

Also, Mrsz, perhaps you should consider your tone? Your first comment came over as very judgy. If you had posted something more friendly, such as "hey guys, I've done some Online Protection Training, and it's quite scary where innocent clicking can get you. Have you considered what might happen......?"

As it is, you've got me all irate at your judginess instead of appreciative of your helpfulness.

Links are well vetted but can also be hacked - I visited a well known education site and found some interesting text and graphics had been added. I informed the site administrator who had to close down the site until the material could be removed.

I think there are plenty of activities available for children to access without actually being connected to the internet aren't there?

As to being 3 can you recall this news story?

Boy, 3, 'buys' £9,000 car online
The pink Nissan Figaro

A three-year-old boy shocked his parents when he used their computer to spend £9,000 on a bright pink car.

I thought be bought a digger?

Anyway, you point is true enough, but like I said, your tone just got me defensive.