Seriously, people are too uptight these days. It seems like every time we have a new generation the kids get more and more sheltered. If kids really needed that much sheltering humans would have gone extinct a long time ago. Be open and honest. Teach kids properly, rather than trying to prevent them from knowing about it at all.

There's a pretty big difference between not wanting your 11-year-old to know anything at all about sex and not wanting your 11-year-old to watch ****.

Stop making comments so long jeez it is so hard to read

Some classes require computer access nowadays.

Not always. It was mandatory to type an essay at my school. You would lose about 15 points if it was hand writtten.

59 - I believe that's why schools have libraries with computers. That's what I used, anyway.

21 - at age 11 I had my own desktop computer. I used it largely for research for school projects and to help me learn French. Sure, I gamed a bit but this was before DSL was commonplace and I rarely used the internet. Hell, I started gaming when I was 6 before Windows 95, it's how I learned to play chess and get good at it. Would I have had good grades in school without it? Probably not, because being able to research on a computer was waaaay faster than getting my busy mom to take me to the library. I had time limits on the computer except when I was doing schoolwork and wasn't permitted to use it at all for gaming during the week! And for the record, I learned to write cursive before I got good at typing. I learned to type on a TYPEWRITER. /rant from computer geek

Yea that's not how that game works. The school isn't allowed to assume everyone has computers. That's why they have the library. You don't need a computer to complete school.

So I take it you're completely unaware of things like: Moodle Engrade Turnitin.com Typed paper assignments Projects with at least #_ Internet sources PowerPoint projects Etc...? If the world was the same as when you were growing up then preaching that a kid can get by in the same way you did would be fine However! It's not Times change, they always have and will, the Internet is a great source of knowledge and learning potential, thousands of different cultures and views exist within extraordinarily easy access The Internet is a part of reality now, keeping kids away from it is not only ridiculous, but also harmful — colleges, jobs, social interacting, intellectual persuit, current ideas, they all involve the Internet to some large degree, taking that away from a kid only serves to seriously stunt them

People like you are why change is extremely difficult.

#21 And in the stone age they lived without cars, computers, phones, internet,... So why are you using all those things? A child SHOULD use technology. They SHOULD learn how to take advantage of it. It's important part of education, work and makes many things easily accessible. So just because there were no laptops in "your time" and you "didn't need them" doesn't mean children today should be technologically impared.

the hell is wrong with you? we arent in your time, so why would we do it like your time. your an idiot

I think OP should just get a desktop & keep the laptop for himself. The desktop can be put in the living room for OP can supervise, since he's so concern, that's what my mom did to my older brothers. I didn't have a laptop until middle school but I had to share it with siblings.

Probably not. Remember, a lap dance is always better when the stripper is crying.

Why can't he just use a parent's computer rather than have his own?

Then the OP's son should use a computer. And not a laptop. Preferably one that's in the main living room, and not facing the wall. So the OP can monitor what his son does, which is really what he should be doing with a child at such a young age anyway. **** isn't the most dangerous thing a kid can find on the internet.

Say that to our parents who didnt have the internet or a computer to type. Books and type writers ladies and gentlemen. Research can be dome easily by going to a library. :P Just saying.

#79 most classes I've had ALWAYS require some online resources. It comes with all the technology we have now. Plus, computers are quicker access when you have no way to get to local libraries. However, no 11 year old should have his own laptop. I had to share a desktop computer that was in either my parents room or the living room.

I've had a lot of teachers that require book sources for research. Those teachers were mostly in high school and I've only had one college teacher to require it, but I think there are a lot of teachers that are going back to books.

99 - and mark twain was right, the telephone was just a passing fad I mean seriously, who uses a phone?! Everyone's Clearly going back to the pony express Do you people learn Nothing from history?! (typed on an iPhone)

Same thing as if your great great parents would say "I never went to school. I even can't read. I have worked all my life so you do not need to go school and learn how to read and educate yourself. I managed living without it so can you". Just because something was not available in the past it does not mean it is not required/needed today. So "our parents didn't need computers" is not an argument because technology today is much more available and used. And back then the school did not require that you use computer/internet/whatever. Besides, it is such an advantage you'd be stupid not to use it. Just like you can ride a horse to a job you have 100km away but you won't because modern transport is faster.

Surely you mean 'Where there's a WILLY there's a wank?'