Looking for Advice: Laptop for kids

[honest1]

Guys, I’ve noticed that my 6-year-old is really fascinated by laptops and how they work. He’s always trying new things on his own and seems to genuinely enjoy operating it. At this age, it’s hard to gauge his full potential, but I feel like it might be a good idea to give him his own laptop to explore and learn independently.

That said, I’m very mindful of screen time and will ensure there are strict limits in place. I’d love to get your thoughts on a few things:

1. Is it a good idea to let him explore a laptop at this age?

2. Which operating system (OS) would be best for this purpose?
I’m looking for an OS that lets me have full control over his activities. For example, I’d like to set time limits and restrict certain features or apps.
- I know Windows has a child account feature, but I’m unsure about how detailed or customizable the controls are.
- I’m also considering Chrome OS because it seems more lightweight and perhaps easier to manage for a child.

3. Any other feedback based on personal experiences?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[logistopath]

1. No
He has his entire lifetime to get stuck in front of his laptop, whatever be the profession he chooses in his future. Laptops have become almost indispensable since high school. Childhood is when the child has to learn making human connections with friends and family. Since you are going to enforce strict time limits, let it be done on one of the adults' laptops.

If you are already convinced that it would be beneficial to give him a personal laptop, the above does not matter. However, you should make it difficult to claim access to his laptop, rather than give him free one hour access everyday. Put in some rules like it has to be used only in the living room, with audio out via speakers and not headphones. Device some plan where he has to do spend a specific amount of time on school work, and helping out in the house, and only then he gets to touch his laptop. Never ever give him the laptop as a means to keep him quiet or when he throws a tantrum.
P.S: Do not blindly believe age appropriate apps. Even YouTube kids has several videos that should ideally be filtered out. Ideally, an adult should be always watching over his shoulder.

 

[desiibond]

Save him while there is still time.
These OSes have become so easy that kids take no time to use a laptop. Also, schools teach computer basics (Operating Windows/Linux, doing paint using app like Tuxpaint, creating slides etc from grade 1). Probably your kid is practicing what he learned in school and advancing.

If you really want to teach him OS software/programming basics, try Scratch Junior or Scratch 3. Can you elaborate on what kind of activities he likes doing on laptop? Instead of buying a laptop for him, why not hand hold him and teach him to be a creator instead of being a consumer. (eg: design a game and make money instead of just playing game. design app and make money instead of just using app). This push will be better for him in the long run as he will enjoy using PC and also become so good that he is making money by making apps/games.