Raspberry Pi for 17 year old boy? Is this a good gift?

[alohamom]

I was thinking of getting my son a Raspberry Pi starter kit for Christmas but I am not sure if I should. He loves computers, does well in his CompSci class and codes for fun. I have googled what to do with these and come up with some things BUT they all seem to be the same-music players, vintage games, etc. I would just hate for him to not use it or think it is kind of cool but be indifferent to it. What have your kids made with Raspberry Pi? Why do they like them and want them? Any insight is greatly appreciated...

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My son asked for one, and he's getting it from his grandma. He's 16, and he takes advanced computer science classes through dual enrollment from our local community college. I honestly don't know what he will be doing with it, but he seems excited about it.

 

[BigAlsGal]

DH gave me a little info on them. He's a CS guy and I picked his brain. If your son truly loves computers and programming a pi is sort of a staple. There are a ton of ways to utilize it. It's kind of like the Swiss Army knife of the PC world. He's probably already worked with it if he's in CS classes.

For the record I wouldn't understand the first thing about them. It's definitely a programmers thing.

 

[Soulsearching]

Yes!

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

My DH is a CS guy. I got him a Pi last year on Black Friday and he likes it. He set it up to run some automated tasks. It is more of a software/programming thing than anything, basically a mini-computer. The thing my husband has been having fun with lately is an Arduino kit. It included all kinds of sensors and circuit boards, so he actually builds a device and he can make the unit do some really interesting things. You could look into that as a gift, if you think the idea of building computers for certain tasks might interest him. I got DH's kit on SainSmart during a huge sale. They ship for free from China, but if you want the gift by Christmas, I would select the US shipping for a little extra. They also sell Raspberry Pi and other cool stuff.

 

[alohamom]

Awesome you guys, thank you! Anyone else have input? I am going to look up the Arduino kit right now...

 

[dreiwhit]

I would get him one, or two if you can. My son has several Raspberry PIs and he has done quite a few different things with them.

 

[kalliyan1]

Awesome you guys, thank you! Anyone else have input? I am going to look up the Arduino kit right now...

While they are great for computer programming, etc., they can also be used as streaming devices and there is really NO LIMIT as to what can be accessed through these devices. As far as I can tell, there are no parental controls or anything available either.

 

[dreiwhit]

While they are great for computer programming, etc., they can also be used as streaming devices and there is really NO LIMIT as to what can be accessed through these devices. As far as I can tell, there are no parental controls or anything available either.

One thing you can do is configure your router to use a DNS server that will filter out objectional content. I have our home router set up to use specific Norton DNS servers that will block websites that are known to be infected with viruses and malware and porn sites.

 

[angierae]

While they are great for computer programming, etc., they can also be used as streaming devices and there is really NO LIMIT as to what can be accessed through these devices. As far as I can tell, there are no parental controls or anything available either.

I may be in the minority here, but I think at 17, a kid is able to decide on his own internet usage. If they've been raised properly, they aren't going to do anything illegal, and as far as "adult content" - they're 17. There's nothing they haven't seen. (And that was true of me a 17 WITHOUT the internet, so.)

 

[PerfessorZ]

I got a Pi a few years ago and set it up as an XBMC (now Kodi) to play all the family's media (music, movies, etc.). I'd probably have a lot more fun with it if I'd bite the bullet and learn something about Linux, but I crossed the line into fuddy-duddy at some point and I just can't be bothered these days.

 

[disneyfor3]

Great thread! I have a son turning 16 in a week. He is taking Principles of Engineering and Intro to Engineering this year and is interested in animatronics and computer graphics. Any recommendations on a starter kit for him from arduino or elsewhere?

 

[ajwolfe]

I may be in the minority here, but I think at 17, a kid is able to decide on his own internet usage. If they've been raised properly, they aren't going to do anything illegal, and as far as "adult content" - they're 17. There's nothing they haven't seen. (And that was true of me a 17 WITHOUT the internet, so.)

I was thinking the same thing. If the kid is old enough to program a computer, he would be able to find a way to view adult content if he wanted to anyways.

 

[Albort]

I got a Pi a few years ago and set it up as an XBMC (now Kodi) to play all the family's media (music, movies, etc.). I'd probably have a lot more fun with it if I'd bite the bullet and learn something about Linux, but I crossed the line into fuddy-duddy at some point and I just can't be bothered these days.

you should look into Plex. easier to set up, crosses to many many platforms...

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Great thread! I have a son turning 16 in a week. He is taking Principles of Engineering and Intro to Engineering this year and is interested in animatronics and computer graphics. Any recommendations on a starter kit for him from arduino or elsewhere?

For the price, I think this starter kit is pretty good, especially because it is focused on web-enables devices, which maybe teenagers will like:

https://store-usa.arduino.cc/collections/bundles-kits/products/akx00009

They also have this starter kit, a little bit more expensive, but includes a book:

https://store-usa.arduino.cc/collections/bundles-kits/products/akx00008

Or you can consider this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Star...8&qid=1481310998&sr=8-1&keywords=arduino+make

There are other sites that sell Arduino. My husband got his from Sainsmart, but it took a long time to arrive.

 

[alohamom]

Seriously great info every one-thanks so much!