“The mini-laptop club project shows me just how far the concepts behind the virtual world have penetrated into real life. Even with relatively little exposure to computers, these children have absorbed ideas about shopping online, interacting socially with virtual pets and real friends, and even media convergence with their favorite movies and songs loaded on the laptops. They get these ideas from siblings, friends, TV shows and ads, and watching their parents use computers.”
[thanks, the morning news!]
i laughed out loud at the button for “rily werd games”
Isn’t that hilarious?! :)
i think this is so interesting, but it kind of makes me sad. :(
Me too, Jessie. :(
the virtual world has evolved so quickly that it’s like watching progress on superfastforward. i see it every day in my little ones – the youngest trying to use a mouse before she even knows what a computer is. they are growing up in such a different culture, even compared to those who were born only a decade ago. this puts quite a bit of responsibility in the hands of parents, who must then teach their children how to get the best out of the virtual world rather than it getting the best of them. very thoughtful post erin.
it’s amazing what’s retained in their little heads!
I love the drawing! So interesting. Congrats on the print version of your magazine – I’m sure it will be a huge success and I can’t wait to get a copy.
it’s amazing what’s retained in their little heads!
the interview with 8-year old mandy is really great! i do like that the kids (mostly girls) organized the club, but the focus on consumerism does make me a little sad.
Thank you, Sew Bettie!
And Aimee— you put it so well. I think it’s another parental regulation issue— the world at our fingertips isn’t always a good thing! ;)
Fascinating stuff and Aimee’s comment is really beautifully put: “how to get the best out of the virtual world rather than it getting the best of them.” Even I struggle with this, sensory overload!