Are Kids Going To Parents Or Google For Answers?

Thinking back to when I was a child, I had a lot of questions about the world. I have been reminded of how many answers are needed by a three year old everyday with my son's total fascination of the new world he's seeing.

When I needed answers as a youngster, I went no further than Mom and Dad. They knew everything.

The last thing I needed was a computer to satisfy my inquiring mind. My parents could answer anything.

But that was then. Now children have the internet at their fingertips to learn anything about everything.

Is it a bad thing that our kids can just Google rather than ask us? Are they choosing the internet over Mom and Dad? Here's what the experts say:

Pam Waddell, Director of Birmingham Science City says, "Youngsters often Google questions before asking parents, friends or teachers. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It shows just how commonplace digital technology is for children today and how comfortable they are with using it." The study revealed that only one-quarter of children would go to their parents before turning to the internet and almost half of all children have never used a printed encyclopedia. Nearly a fifth, 19 percent, have never laid their hands on a printed dictionary, either. "Children, no matter what generation they grow up in, have an inquisitive and curious nature," Waddell adds. "So the fact that they are able to use new technology to explore this is a positive sign for the future."