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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux for Kids? (yall.theatl.social)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm thinking about building a desktop with one of my kids and I would really prefer to put Linux on it. My wife is not a fan of the idea, however.

I'm wondering are there any good Linux distros/utilities for children that include parental control features and things like that? And that are easy to use for a child who has only used basic Chromebooks in the past?

For reference the child is under 12.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I appreciate your input, I was also teaching myself to code by the time I was in middle school, but this is a different situation and some guard rails are needed to manage screen time and app usage, etc.

I'm not so much worried about her wrecking the computer and more about her wrecking her brain with unfettered access to the Internet

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Does it need to be connected to the internet? At that age, I think you could get away with installing stuff locally that they could play with.

IMO you should create guard rails that you intend her to eventually understand and circumvent. Nothing is more empowering for a kid interested in tech than thinking they figured out how to get around the guard rails. Just make sure you can detect when it has happened.

Do something locally on the machine to block internet access. Maybe something as simple as turning off the network adapter. One day she'll either learn enough about the system to remove the guard rails, or she'll find other interests.