The Internet, with the help of business and the government, is to become an educational tool in Britain. UK NetYear will see children as young as six learning from the Internet. The Prime minister has called it the "biggest public-private partnership in any education system anywhere in the world".

ICL, Sun Microsystems and BT are all involved in the project and will benefit considerably as the use of technology in schools expands. Both the British government and business see the initiative as an exciting opportunity. David Wimpress of ICL, who heads the project, says "It is a great opportuity for both schools and pupils to use new exciting technology."

But worries have been expressed about the use of the Internet as a learning tool. Will children aged six, seven and eight be too impressionable? Will teachers know enough? Perhaps children should still be honing other skills at that stage in their education.

Todd Oppenheimer, Associate Editor of Newsweek Interactive, told BBC Radio's Today programme "The money could fund more teachers and more field trips... young children should leave the Internet until later."

The Internet discourages focus, synthesis and calm reflection. Information accessed through the Internet is simply too vast and indiscriminate, severed from context and meaning...
Ronald Fraese, USA

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