technt77

How young is too young for a laptop? So many public schools are now using tax dollars to purchase laptops for their students, but I personally would never want the average 7th grader to have this kind of responsibility. They're dealing with enough issues that age. I'm just wondering if this is a smart use of tax dollars and if anyone else has an opinion or experience on this matter of youth and technology responsibility.

Trinity

I don't believe they should be going home---that is too much risk on the investment---too much responsibility for the child----!!!

rocker21

When a kid can afford to buy his own laptop then that would be the right age in my book!!

technt77

Good point, rocker. Even adults are more responsible for things that they lay down the cash for, so it only makes sense that if a kid can afford to buy a laptop, he'd be ready for the responsibility (unless he's using his parents' dough).

lsnoozy

I think having them available in the high school is a good level. They would be used the most and should be able to be resposible for it. The thing I worry about is replacement cost on us parents. Also shoveling more work on the kids because they would all have access.

yellowbird

I think no matter what, even at a 7th grade level students still need parent supervision even when doing homework. No wonder students don't do their homework because it's another thing kids have to do that parents aren't interested in. Anyway, that's another issue. There is nothing wrong with a 7th grader using a lap top. First off, you must remember that now days, first graders are using computer. So by the time a child hits 7th grade, they know a lot more than most adults. It's not like they are getting a computer and have never used it before. It would also teach them responsibility. Kids at that age want more responsibility and need to learn how to take on that responsibility so when they get into high school they are better decision maker and can handle whatever responsibility is thrown at them. As a tax payer, I'm all for it.

Trinity

I just have difficulty with them going home with the student at too young an age. Avon schools give their high school students pda's to carry home with them. It seems to work.

Desiree

When i was in my sophmore year in Highschool we were given a choice between a PDA or a lap top... They were not to be braught home by any means. They had to be turned in everyday to our economics teacher and the lap tops were used only for writing and taking notes... although our pdas we were able to access MSN and spent most of our time messaging friends on MSN instead of listening to the teacher.

Trinity

so as a young person having had that opportunity at school----should our tax dollars be used to put laptops in the hands of our students?? what age is too young???

technochick

ok, im not ready for social security yet, but i am old fashioned. i have a big problem with kids, (and adults) relying on computers for everything. what happened to using our brain? I see it all the time in the finance industry. the computer shuts down and us old timers whip out a paper and pen and figure out whatever problem we have to figure out while the younger generation stares in dismay and dont know what to do. admittedly, we have to change with the times but dont u think that kids should have to learn how to figure things out for themselves and just use the computer to hand in nice typed papers?