by Terrance Gaines

Let’s face it, our kids understand and use technology way before we did. My 3 year-old knows more about an iPhone than my mother does. As a result, parents will have to dive right in and find tools and resources that will get their kids up and running in the “Digital Age”. Discovery Kids has launched Puterbugs, a learning website for kids that teaches young children ages 8 and younger today’s most important computer skills.

It makes since that Discovery Kids is behind Puterbugs being that it’s already one of the most trusted children’s brands and is already loaded with tons of tools, resources, learning programs. Puterbugs brings the first interactive website to the Discovery Kids arsenal designed to teach kids healthy ways to use technology as a tool, not just a toy.

After creating and activating a free trial membership, kids and parents will get immediate access to the Puterbugs world, that’s broken down into a digital hierarchy: “My Missions” gives kids activities (in the form of apps) that’s laid out on an iPad-esque screen. “My Classroom” has different computer stations that kids can interact with. “My World” gives kids a digital city where all the locations have computer names like “Keyboard Castle” and “Internet Island”. Kids can click a location for even more activities.

Mr. Scott is the Puterbugs’ cowboy hat-wearing friend that also helps kids navigate the website. He is definitely needed because there are lots of activities kids can do, which should keep them occupied for quite some time. Going through some of the activities, it is clear that technology is the central point and purpose of the website. Kids can do things from learning about the keys on a keyboard, to cleaning up and properly disposing microchips, to dressing up the “Puterbugs” in safety gear to visit a technology lab. Puterbugs does have information and tools to help parents like learning more about live Puterbugs classes, lesson updates, and merchandise.

“We feel Puterbugs is a natural fit for the Discovery Kids brand as we pride ourselves on providing kids with real world experiences that promote learning through exploring.” said Elizabeth Bakacs, Vice President of Licensing for Discovery Kids, “Discovery Kids Puterbugs satisfies children’s natural curiosity for technology while satisfying the parent’s desire for their children to use it in creative and meaningful ways.”

Overall, Puterbugs is one of the few trusted places on the web where kids can learn more about technology. The site’s graphics could use some work, especially if you have to enroll (read: pay) to use the site after the free trial membership is over; but, if you were going to spend $100+ on a gadget for your kids for Christmas, you might want to consider checking out Puterbugs as one way of investing in your children’s grasp of how technology works as well.

Terrance Gaines is a husband, father and technology consultant/evangelist who writes about all kinds of tech subjects on his site,  BrothaTech, in addition to several other sites on the interwebs and in print media. He also talks about “all things tech” among other things on Twitter  @BrothaTech.