Computers and Kids - New Facts

Kids and Computers is an old topic... or was an old topic until I read a certain research article about the implications of socialising on the Internet. It’s scary, so here’s the summary:

When you're a child, your online status depends on the number of friends you have on Bebo, MySpace andFacebook. It's a measure of popularity. At first glance, it seems innocuous. But is it?

First, there is the very real danger of letting your guard down because you “know this person from the Net”. (Image: Red Riding Hood meets Big Bad Wolf and he says: “Hi, I’m your friend on Facebook”....)

If you’re concerned at this point, read these handy online safety tips.

But wait, there’s more. Recent research suggests that our brains evolved to know no more than 150 people. That includes everybody! And yet most schools are twice the size, and we're not counting family friends or mates from swimming lessons. Add to that people your child will befriend online, and you can almost see their brain smoking....

Anyway, the article goes on to speculating about computers affecting the onset of puberty and emotional maturity and you can read it in full here.

So how much computer time is too much for our children? Here’s what the experts say. And if you reckon your child’s within the sane limits, here are the best websites for school children - just to keep them busy while you’re swallowing your Herbal Nerve Pills....