[wplug] computer use for the young

[Brad Hoover]

I'm glad I got a discussion going, but perhaps I
should make a clarification regarding my position.  I
*never* suggested that a TV or computer be withheld
from children.  I simply told you what Cliff Stoll
said was right for his kids.

What I really wanted to say, was that we need to be
careful how use technology in education.  Early
exposure to computers is fine, but shouldn't be
considered a *very important* point in the big
picture.

What got me thinking on this subject, in addition to
the thread, were articles that I read talking of a
"digital divide" (probably first coined by a
politician or software marketer), that suggested that
schools needed to invest heavily into new technology
in order  for their students to have a good education.

So, all I wanted to say (and I apologize if this
wasn't expressed very well earlier) is that we all
should question whether the investment (personally or
publicly) is worth it.  



> 	If you (and I mean "you" as a generalization) think
> that removing
> the Internet (or TV) from your home solves any but
> limited "exposure issues"
> you're sadly mistaken - unless, of course, you plan
> to control your kid 24x7
> and never let him/her enter a store, a school, a
> library, or a "fiends"
> home.  Lots of folks do try this, and you
> occasionally hear of them on the
> news when they get busted for having a kid locked in
> a closet or chained to
> a basement wall.
> 
> 	It's easier to put on slippers than it is to carpet
> the world.....
> Don
> 
> 

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