Speaking up for today's mums - Jane Cartledge

THIS week I've cursed computers, castigated silicon chips and had a rather unpleasant encounter with a trojan horse.

In short I've had technical problems aplenty and wished on several occasions that I'd never set eyes on a computer.

If the mere mention of phishing, powering-down and rogue diallers leaves you feeling blank then don't worry - you're not alone.

For the past 20 odd years computers have been infiltrating every part of our lives but while we've got used to hitting the send key and typing in PIN numbers we've no idea how they actually work.

We've left that to the geeks and the blokes in IT.

Now, after two decades though, it seems the honeymoon period is over.

It's time for more techno-responsibility whether we like it or not.

Last week when my broadband went down, I phoned the service provider in a panic. The recorded message was an indecipherable techno rant which instructed me how to breathe new life into my laptop.

Of course it didn't work but it made me wonder just how long I can go on taking zero interest in how things work.

I've never tried to understand how my car works or how electricity lights up my life.

I've literally been in the dark for years and my ignorance has been like a big comfort blanket. If I don't know something, I gather it's one less thing to worry about.

Things started to change about six months ago when the little one started asking 'why'?

'Why does the light come on?' 'Why won't the car start?' 'Why don't you know mum?'

Perhaps it's about time I started learning.

When she starts school next year I don't want to be the one left behind.

All kids today know how to use computers and there's even a couple in the local pre-school nursery.

The kids aren't scared of them, accept them as part of life (not a newfangled invention) and simply get on with it.

Computers are part of their lives and always have been. Unlike us, they don't remember a time when you typed letters on a typewriter and went to the bank to manage your money.

We do our shopping on the internet, bank online and type emails to friends instead of picking up the home phone.

'Calling up Google for answers just wouldn't be the same'

They're all monumental changes our kids don't remember.

These days you can even get a computer game to teach kids how to write, read and add up.

It's great that such aids exist but it worries me that traditions are being broken in our pursuit of technology.

Call me a traditionalist, but a cyber-tale is no substitute for a bedtime story. Cuddling up with the computer just isn't the same.

I'm all for technology but I'm also in favour of encouraging interaction and good old fashioned talking.

Perhaps it's a blessing that I don't know the answers to many of the little one's never ending questions. My half-baked explanations certainly keep us talking.

Calling up Google or an online encyclopaedia for answers just wouldn't be the same.