Playing the waiting game with computers

[Tigermoth]

I've come back to this discusssion because I am in a quandry. Having asked the original question - at what age should I let my son have a computer -and after seeing all these comments, I settled on the age seven and a half which neatly coincides with this christmas.

But now I am having serious second thoughts. I think in general it is absolutely fine to give primary age children a computer/computer games. As someone said here, a computer is just a tool, it's up to you how you use it. However, being specific, I am worried that a computer may be the very worst christmas present we can give our son.

I am very worried about the sensory overload aspect. Also I have read that computer games encourage a short attention span and a thrill-a-minute mindset. This is exactly, precisely and absolutely what my son doesn't need. Last week his teacher (echoing others before) said he is academically fine, and a 'good boy', not excessively cheeky or a bully etc etc but his ability to concentrate on the task in hand is poor. As he moves up a year, and is increasingly expected to finish his work, I think this problem is getting more noticeable. His teacher has moved him around each group in the class because he can't resist chatting to others and generally procrastinating. Now he is sitting at a desk by himself, and often has to stay in at playtimes to complete his classwork.

At the same time he is a good reader and is just getting into the swing of reading for pleasure. I'd hardly call him a bookworm, but he chose a puffin book for himself at the school book fair last week and has now just about finished it. I think it would really do him good get totally lost in a story - and he's nearly there.

You can see why I am reluctant to buy a computer. I know he'd want to play games on it and a playstation is worse, isn't it? As I mentioned earlier in this thread, he has a gameboy. He enjoys this still but I have noticed the lure of it is on the wane. But then that's quite good isn't it? it could mean he will not get totally addicted to a computer/playstation.

I am just confused. This technology costs quite a bit of money so I don't want to make a mistake. Help!

Tigermoth, there are plenty of computer games which require concentration, they aren't all killing people and disposable thrills. Kids puzzle games like the soon to be released 'Sheep Dog and Wolf' encourage spatial skills, problems solving and lateral thinking. There are plenty of other great games for kids 'Contraptions', 'Junior Who wants to be a Millionaire', 'Junior Scrabble', 'Lego Island' - none of these are violent in any way. Your little boy sounds like a dream and a computer is not going to turn him into a snarling monster! A PC is a much better long term investment than a Playstation/X Box and it has the advantage that you can access Mumsnet from it! I treat my PC like the television, ie I dont mind my daughter playing on the Teletubbies website as long as she does other things too, like look at books or go for walks. Go for it! We recently bought a new computer from Evesham Micros and I can recommend them highly.

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Thanks Enid and RobinW, it's reassuring to hear you say computers have not been detrimental to levels of concentration or book-reading. I guess the motto is 'use with care'.

I defintely agree that a computer in the bedroom is a bad idea, and I really want a computer, not a playstation. This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I can access mumsnet on it, of course, and wish you merry christmas on the 25th.

Dh is very suspicious of my motives, however, and rather likes the idea of partnering ds in playstation battles. Boys and their toys etc. So my task is now to convince dh that he really needs a computer, too. So any ideas on this front gratefully received.

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Yes, pornography is the obvious one I suppose, RobinW! Don't know if I'll pursue that line of thought with him though, if he hasn't pondered about it himself. Thanks for the info on the computer programmes. All these things I have been missing...

I will get down to Comet and have a quiet look round soon.