While on the phone with Dad yesterday evening, we ended up discussing that first computer.  My on-ramp to technology was at a very interesting time; one that allowed me to understand the technology and grow at the same pace.  I was forced to use a command line just to start a program.  I saw the internet transform from a bunch of unconnected networks to a global infrastructure.  And I was interested enough to stay part of that process.

However, kids are now thrust into the computing world that has developed it’s own epidermis.  A protective layer meant to help users cope with interfacing with the technology and to keep them from messing it up too bad.  Which can be nice if you work tech support.  But if you want to know what’s actually going on inside the box, it’s a longer trek and one that hasn’t been kid-friendly.

Until now.  Enter HacKid Technology Conference for Kids & their Parents:

HacKid is a new kind of non-profit conference focused on  providing an interactive, hands-on experience for the entire family — kids aged 5-17 & their parents –  in order to raise awareness, excitement and understanding of technology, gaming, mathematics, safety, privacy, networking, security and engineering and their impact on society and culture.

The brainchild of Chris Hoff, this event looks to be the missing piece for anyone whose kids were born after the debut of Windows ’95.  I’d heard blips aobut this and hadn’t connected the dots (mostly because of a lack of progeny), but it sounds like a great deal for a security minded parent.  I’m hoping this year’s inaugural event is a success!