Children describe feeling bored and frustrated by the Internet

roprocessors and Microcomputers,Physically, itsites, but are developing skills which will permit an
consisted of a silicon chip in a protective ceramiceasy transition to access more complex information.
capsule, with a set of metal pins sticking out thatIt contained 2,300 transistors, executed 60,000
connected it to other components in whateveroperations per sec?ond, and could be used for any
device it controlled. It contained 2,300 transistors,device—including computers and robots—that
executed 60,000 operations per sec?ond, and couldrequired a "brain" for accepting input and following a
be used for any device—including computers andprogram of instructions to produce an output. Within
robots—that required a "brain" for accepting inputfive years, many very powerful microprocessors had
and following a program of instructions to produce anappeared. The invention of microprocessors set the
output. Within five years, many very powerfulstage for the arrival of the microcomputer, or
microprocessors had appeared. The invention ofpersonal computer (PC)—an affordable machine for
microprocessors set the stage for the arrival of thethe masses. The first PCs, in kit form, appeared in
microcomputer, or personal computer (PC)—anthe mid-1970s,and by the mid-1980s machines such
affordable machine for the masses.(as the Apple Macintosh and those based on a PC
The first PCs, in kit form, appeared in the mid-1970s,first brought out by IBM in 1981 were pop?ular
and by the mid-1980s machines such as the Applethroughout the world. The success of these
Macintosh and those based on a PC first brought outmachines led to an explosion of software, in
by IBM in 1981 were pop?ular throughout the world.parti?cular a range of spreadsheet, word-processing,
The success of these machines led to an explosiongraphic, educational, and games programs. Since the
of software, in parti?cular a range of spreadsheet,1980s, a number of strong-intertwined themes have
word-processing, graphic, educational, and gamesdriven the computer revolution forward, inclu?ding a
programs. Since the 1980s,a number ofcontinuing increase in the processing power and
strong-intertwined themes have driven the computerdecrease in the size and cost of PCs; a ^witch of
revolution forward, inclu?ding a continuing increase inemphasis from isolated to linked machines, as
the processing power and decrease in the size andevidenced by the growth of local area net?works
cost of PCs; a ^witch of emphasis from isolated toand the Internet; and the spread of computer
linked machines, as evidenced by the growth of localapplications into virtually every aspect of home tad
area net?works and the Internet; and the spread ofbusiness life (
computer applications into virtually every aspect ofCyberspace for Kids,Giving a child a computer and a
home tad business life.powerful modem will enable him or her to access the
Physically, it consisted of a silicon chip in a protectivevalua?ble information that cyberspace has to offer
ceramic capsule, with a set of metal pins sticking outand thus zoom ahead of his/her peers. Or so parents
that connected it to other components in whateverhave been persuaded to believe. But doubts are
device it controlled.creeping in. Expensive computing equipment that
The Internet isn't only accessible to teenagers.children were excited by for a while is often left to
Children as young as eight were looking excited atgather, dust.
Kids ahead. They tend to go for the more visual