From the Editor's Desk: Think of the children ...

Wherein I struggle with the issue of online protection versus education

My kids are starting back to school this week — one in third grade, the other in pre-K. And as crazy as it seems, apparently 8 years old is where we start having the serious cell phone and Internet discussions.

Now Mia, my eldest, has used an iPhone 3G has a makeshift iPod for some time. It's not hooked up to Wifi, however, so it's basically been music and a bunch of blurry, grainy pictures of who knows what. (I'm actually a little afraid to look.) More and more, though, she's asking about "getting Internet on my phone." And despite my job being what it is and my knowledge of mobile and the Internet and the good and bad that come with both, my wife and I really don't know yet what we want to do there.

Does an 8-year-old need unfettered access to the Internet, in the palm of her hand, at all hours of the day? Probably not. Do I want my kid to learn about all the great stuff that's out there, and grow up with this technology in a mature, responsible way? Of course. And do I want her to be able to use all these great toys that I'm extremely fortunate to play with for my job? You better believe it. Being a nerd is fun.

But I struggle with the practicalities, too.

source: androidcentral