The internet and Children

 With the advancement in emerging technology do you consider the internet an appropriate tool for young children? Why or why not?

         The internet has become essential as an educational and social tool for people of all ages, not least of which children. It affords great opportunities for accessing the greatest store of information that humanity has ever had all within easy reach. On the negative side, it is also the lurking place for people with devious motives, from whom, we all would do well to protect our little ones. It has become too easy for children to become exposed at too early an age, to material that are not age appropriate 

, and capable of exerting an unhealthy influence on their young minds. The question then becomes one of monitoring and managing their use in the home and the school setting. This can take the form of using appropriate filters for home use as well as in the school setting. From my experience, they learn clever ways of getting around some of the best designed secured systems so, added alertness will be necessary to ensure safe online spaces for the little ones.

      The potential risks, I believe are substantially outweighed by the benefits even as new applications can teach children phonics, spelling, math, social skills along with a host of other useful assets for young learners. It is just up to parents and educators to harness the resources in sensible ways and ensure secure online learning and interaction spaces.