Prepare your computer for use by a child. Before you allow your child to use the computer, you need to make sure that your computer is ready for your child. Make sure to check for spyware and any viruses and turn on parental controls on all the browsers installed on the computer.
Talk to your child about computers and the Internet to learn how much she understands about this technology, its purposes and applications, as well as her level of interest in using it. Ask her what she would like to use the computer for---games, art, movies, communication with friends and relatives and so on.
Teach your child to type using online typing games, such as those available at freetypinggames.net or learninggamesforkids.com. Learning proper typing skills early on is a valuable and often overlooked endeavor.
Teach your child how to use the Internet for research by showing him how to use search engines and online library catalogs, such as the one available from the Library of Congress.
Allow your child to become more comfortable with the computer by giving her independent time to play age-appropriate games online, such as those available from PBS Kids (pbskids.org) or Nickelodeon (nick.com)
Decide whether you will allow your child to participate in online social communities. Older children may express an interest in social media, such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter. It is up to the parent to determine the age appropriateness of such technology and instruct the child in safely communicating through online media.