zlacker

> It provides ways of communicating with people you want your kids to communicate with

Who do you want your kids to communicate with over the internet ?

>>stef25+(OP)
Their friends and family, obviously.

I’m surprised by all of the comments assuming the internet can’t possibly have any value for kids in any way, shape, or form. Did HN commenters grow up and forget what it’s like to be a kid with friends? With an interest in games or technology or discovery?

>>Aurorn+k2
Yes and most of us were exposed to porn before the age of 15, because one friend had internet faster than dailup. We even had a guy in our school that used to sell cd-roms filled with porn. This was before smart phones. Its one thing playing with tech & discovery, another thing having your first sexual experience be on a screen, as a child. It has lasting affects on your development.

Oh, and a good chunk of abuse happens by friends & family, not strangers.

>>Batter+OA2
> We even had a guy in our school that used to sell cd-roms filled with porn. This was before smart phones.

Before that, porn was printed on paper magazines and, not surprisingly, sought out by and distributed among curious teenagers.