My teenage son wants to build a computer for himself. Should I give permission?

[JustAnotherParentHere]

I have a 15 year old son who has recently got into technology and electronics. He has built a low-power computer for himself before, but wants a complete upgrade.

Whilst I don't know much about computers and the parts, I've been told that it would likely cost between £600-£700. My son has this money, which he has earned himself by doing chores and other jobs for me and other people.

He says it's his money to spend, but £700 seems a lot and I want him to be responsible, especially with his own money.

He claims it's not for gaming majorly, but that some of his parts are not compatible with the latest Windows. He has also told me that his power supply is dangerous (which he has proved with some websites and other's comments).

Anyway, its his money, and I trust that he knows the computer stuff, but I'm not sure if its a safe thing to spend money on. I don't want to be a helicopter parent I just want him to be financially safe.

What should I do?

For someone so concerned about your teen spending time on screens (I've just read your other thread) you don't half spend a lot of time on screens yourself.

Why not solve your problems by asking people in real life? Maybe write into a magazine.

Or alternatively, come to terms with the fact that computers are a part of our lives now.

You seem more worried about what he will use it for after he has built it, than whether he should build it.

There's nothing dangerous about building a PC, downwind of the power supply everything is at low voltage. The big practical risk is damaging the processor chip due to static electricity, but I suspect he knows that, and how to prevent it.

Overall he is not going to save much, if any, money by DIY as the PC builders buy parts in bulk at lower prices. They don't take a lot of time to build either so the labour element isn't so high. But it will be a good experience and, as others have said, he will understand more about how to fix it if he built it.

Mine did aged 14, he did a paper round every morning for a year, seven days a week, to save the money. I was very proud.
I can't lie though, he does spend most of his time on it...

@JustAnotherParentHere of course you should let him do that!! it could be his future!

Mine did this. Uses it for schoolwork but also for gaming quite a lot. I guess you could set rules in advance - as a condition of doing it - around how much it gets used, but there are no screen time limits you can set when they make it themselves.

That said, they’ll need to be able to manage their use of screens for themselves as they get older.

It's a great skill for sure but loads of people do it, including kids.
It doesn't mean it will be a future career although having a broader interest in computers could.
My DS built one at 15 with some support. It was a birthday present for him and we spent less than that.
He games on it now a bit but has shown no further interest in computers since then.
It's a lot of money to spend, but if it's his money, you might as well allow it.

Both my DS's did this. It's mostly plug and play and not difficult. There are excellent YouTube clips to show you how. It's his money. It's not fair if he works for it then you try and control what he does with it. I think my youngest DS spent about £900 about 3/4 years ago and told me if he'd bought a computer with the same spec in a shop it would be over £2k. Also as he upgrades various things like a fan or motherboard he sells the older version on to help pay for his upgrades.

What a sensible, capable, intelligent young chap. I would give him every encouragement in this idea. He can only learn & develop useful skills by doing it.

It could be worse, OP. He could be wanting to spend his money on trainers, energy drinks, football gambling & weed.

Why wouldn’t you let him? Are you also hoping he doesn’t get an office job in a few years as he would have to sit down and probably be at a laptop for 50 hours a week! Plenty of time to still do other stuff and be healthy. His eyes won’t go square!

My 15 and 18 year old Grandsons are doing this right now. Eldest is at Uni ( lives at home) doing IT/ gaming / media at Uni.
15 year old is home educated..
Eldest's one was £2000 .. 15 year old £750.
They saved all their Christmas and birthday money up.
Eldest also has part time job.
I've never seen them so happy and invested..
They both have ASD.
Yes let him..
Honestly just let him..
One of best teenage things he could do.

I think you need to fast forward yourself to 2024! This is where we're at now