When the Internet surpassed the library as the best way to get information, many schools, particularly colleges, began offer a free laptop for students. The Internet is a way to get information about almost any topic without leaving your home. Students did not have to worry about what hours the library would be open. Particularly on the college level, teachers began posting assignments online and sending emails to students. Since some students could not afford a computer, colleges were the first to begin adding free laptops.

Even in public schools, there is a need for free computers. Students begin writing book reports in elementary school and used the Internet for research.

If a child is having trouble in school, many online tutorials are offered that could help a child improve their grades. And many teachers offer online help to students and some even put assignments on the Internet. It is very difficult for students to take advantage of this kind of help if they don’t have a laptop or personal computer. Even though most libraries offer Internet access, this can be a burden on students and parents.

While giving a free laptop for students may sound like a great idea, and in some cases it is, there are some downsides. They include:

• Since most students receive the free laptop in college, you would think they are responsible. However many laptops are damaged at parties, left in other places during a visit home or just plain lost. These losses can be costly to the school.

• Many students add more programs to the laptop. These programs can alter the laptops. And if they are adding music, games and other software, they are not using the laptops for the purpose intended. They may spend too much time online and not enough time studying!

• If the schools are providing the laptops without the benefit of a grant or donation, the laptops can be expensive. This cost of a free laptop for students can be passed on in the form of tuition hikes and additional fees. With college fees already on the rise, families do not need any additional costs.

If your child is not in college, a personal computer is still a valuable tool for them in their learning process. Many charities offer a free computer. You can Google the keywords to find a charity in your area that may offer one. Across the nation, United Way offers a service that can help you find a charity organization. Check your community to see if the 211 service if offered. By dialing 211, a representative can direct you to a charity that offers a free laptop for students. You can also check out to www.collegefreestuff.com and www.pcmag.com/products for listings.

As mentioned, many students will use the computer to download music, play games and chat with friends on social networks. Some schools that give laptops to students place regulations on what can be downloaded onto the computer. And since the laptops are often only given to the students during the time they are enrolled at the school, the students need to make sure they don’t download anything embarrassing or illegal. However, if a free laptop for students is given by a charity, often the computer is theirs to have forever. In that case, they don’t have to worry about what is put on the computer or how it is used.