[Satan]

I've seen some back and forth and a lot of disagreement between people about this topic while surfing the internet.

What age does it really become okay for a child to be introduced to the internet, ad in any part of the internet?
Does age even really play a factor, beyond COPPA agreements and the like?

What should children be educated on before using the internet?

My personal opinion, age isn't a good indicator, as with intelligence and maturity, I imagine some (very rarely) 8 year olds could be more civilized and "grown up" than a lot of teenagers.
As far as what they should know?
Things are never what they seem here. People can't really be trusted, sometimes not even yourself.
How to avoid viruses, to not give your information out willynilly. (Hopefully my children pick that up as automatically as I did, but for different reasons.)

What about you? Do you agree or disagree with my opinion, or have one of your own?

(Try to keep it factual if you're stating something as such, provide a source as needed)

[Equinox]

I don't think teens should be allowed on the internet.

Anyone younger than 18 basically.

Why? We're all so inappropriate and uncivilized. Yes, this can be classified as a hypocritical statement, but you just have to deal with it.

[Lain]

I personally think age is irrelevant, a maturity test would be far more effective.

[Satan]

I personally think age is irrelevant, a maturity test would be far more effective.

How would you propose measuring maturity in a setting where it also includes the internet's anonymity factor?

[Cressi]

My personal opinion, age isn't a good indicator, as with intelligence and maturity, I imagine some (very rarely) 8 year olds could be more civilized and "grown up" than a lot of teenagers.

That is very true, though governments tend to look at age because of the way it's the same for everybody.

I agree with you, however, in that maturity should be the primary factor as to whether you use the Internet or not.

[Lain]

How would you propose measuring maturity in a setting where it also includes the internet's anonymity factor?

I guess the same way they determine whether one is ready to leave prison.

[Satan]

I guess the same way they determine whether one is ready to leave prison.

I wouldn't say that measures maturity, just the ability to function in society as a normal human being.

That also doesn't include any profiling to someone's actions when they can hide behind a username and avatar.

[lux]

Age isn't a factor in my opinion. I was once an 11 year old running Windows Vista, downloading multiple virus' yo jailbreak my PS3. You need to be able to walk before you run. Some people may stumble across other parts of the Internet that require a more mature attitude.

Personally, when (if) I have children. I'll make sure they're educated in computers at a young age. Whilst keeping them safe. But not restricting. I will make them aware of the threats, and if they chose to proceed with it, then they will learn through the best way possible; experience.

[Lain]

I wouldn't say that measures maturity, just the ability to function in society as a normal human being.

That also doesn't include any profiling to someone's actions when they can hide behind a username and avatar.

One could apply for a permit to use the internet, whereupon they would undergo a psycho-analysis before receiving it.

[Satan]

One could apply for a permit to use the internet, whereupon they would undergo a psycho-analysis before receiving it.

That'd effectively kill the development of the internet, as well as its social aspect.
It'd also make it something to make people envious of each other.
Not to mention who's to say people wouldn't share computers or permits?