Does Your Child Have a Laptop

[Joey]

And if so, what rules/guidelines do you set on it.

Connor (13) got a laptop about 4 months ago since there was so much conflict over having just the one computer in the house.

I'm just not sure what guidelines we should be setting on it. The main computer is in the den so we're always aware of what the kids are doing on it but it's harder with a laptop.

I know that he regularly chats on MSN with his friends, he has a Facebook page and he watches shows on it from the Family Channel like The Suite Life. He has agreed to having his bedroom door open while he's on it and he's open about letting us check the history.

How strict are you with your teens????

[BC-DKNY]

we check history on the PCs and dh actually logs IMs. i'm not sold on that idea as i feel it crosses a line. i don't read them and told dh that i'm on a "need to know basis" only.

facebooks are permitted but only if we have the passwords.

[peako]

We have 2 computers and dh has a work laptop. Both of our computers are in the office. We have a no tv or computer in the bedroom policy. He isn't into facebook or IMing yet so we haven't crossed that yet.

Is Connor starting high school this year?

[Joey]

Originally Posted by peako

Is Connor starting high school this year?

If we had remained here, Connor would have been in highschool. Our highschool in this town goes from grade 8-12. We're moving to another part of the Province so instead he'll be going to a middle school that covers grades 7-9.

[BC-NanceLee]

Vini just gave Max his laptop for Max's 18th birthday Saturday - had it wiped and reset and loaded with a good antivirus software. Max will be moving out as soon as he is financially able - has been saving almost all of his income for that purpose so it seemed like a good time to get him off our home computer. Cole won't get a laptop anytime in the near future, although he has beaten Max in two other recent milestones (Max got his contacts at 15 and his cell phone at 16; Cole is getting both this summer at age 13, in anticipation of attending a new school in the next city, requiring public transportation and transfers.) It was important to him to start the new school with contacts, and it is important to me that he can reach us in a transportation emergency. I am just going to give him an old phone I have here and buy a $25 sim card with 250 minutes on it to last the school year. If he starts using the phone to chat with friends instead of call me with schedule issues, then we will have to address it!

ETA no rules or guidelines attached to the laptop gift - but Max is 18 now. He knows if he breaks it or surfs ____ and allows a virus in, it is his financial loss, as we will not replace it for him.

[larasmom]

lara has my old laptop. she uses it for school projects. she is allowed to use it to go on the internet to check her emails and she has a facebook account but i have the password and i check it every day.

[wildfire]

No. Nor will I ever allow it in my home.
We have a family one that they are free to use anytime in a public room in the house.

Personally I think it is like sending DD to gun safety, buying her a 9mm for *protection* and allowing her to have it in her room unlocked.
SHe knows how to be responsible, but accidents happen and lives can be ruined from something stupid/careless.

The internet is dangerous in the same way, esp MS and FB and all those TMI chatting places that pervs/pedos surf.

[BC-Sherb]

We bought DS#2 a new computer for Christmas last year. He is 15 (will be 16 at the end of the summer). We have a laptop and our 1 house computer is just not very good. It's old and needs to be replaced, really slow. He needed something for school to help with assignments, researching, etc... Especially, his Science as the teacher puts all of the homework on the school website.

He is very responsible and knows what is off limits. DH checks it regularly and we have had no problems with misuse or not going to bed because of it. DD is only 12 and she uses his when she needs something for school or just to check her webkinz but we will not be buying her a computer for her room anytime soon. Maybe when she stars high school.

[jstockmyer]

my oldest ds got my old one when i brought a new one in march. he does have an email addy but nothing else yet. when he does, i will have all the passwords, i will set it up basically. he plays games on it....sometimes for school


jennifer

[brown_eyed_girl]

Yes, DS #1 has a laptop ~ he uses it mostly for homework and to make/post videos on youtube. He doesn't have a facebook or my-space page, although he does have e-mail and yahoo messenger. We have all of his passwords and since he only ever uses the laptop in the family room (which is where we spend most of our "family time"), we are able to see what he's up to.