How would you tell kids about bitcoin?

[Huobi-USD]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

[NorrisK]

How about giving them their allowance in bitcoin? Will give them the opportunity to both learn about bitcoin, spend them as the new generation and makes them more careful with their money (they could loose all if not careful).

[sun64986161]

provide an allowance in the form of bitcoin
also we can introducing about trading game

we give 2 choice like market up or market down

[Stn]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

[ThEmporium]

Future kids are very lucky to have a Bitcoin digital currencies in their everyday life, besides that forthcoming years will have streaming change in the digital technology growth, perhaps at that time, each kid would be carrying USB Mining stick with them

[S4VV4S]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

You would be surprised to see how smart kids are nowadays.

To the subject: I would make an animated cartoon explaining Bitcoin and how it works.
Then I would give them part of their allowance in Bitcoin.
Then take it from there

[jerowacik]

This it's hard for kid , i dont know they can know or not . In my family i can say Bitcoin it's key to future of online payments .bitcoin it's technology , if you not learn from now , you can left behind . from bitcoin you can buy everything you Like .  

[Amph]

i would tell them about bitcoin, through a game like flappy bird, with the version in which you earn bitcoin

and then tell them that those are real money that you can use in real life

[HCLivess]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

If you told me this at the kindergarden, I would cry for you underestimating me.

[Kakmakr]

Do not under estimate kids these days. I introduced my child to a Android game on the internet, where they play for a Bitcoin reward at the end of every week. He did not care about the Bitcoins, he just wanted me to cash it out for fiat. I explained to him how Bitcoin worked, and he used his Bitcoins to buy something from the internet. They do not care about the inner working of Bitcoin, only the value it has, and how they can use it to buy stuff online. 

[coinpr0n]

This is nice. If the Minecraft server allows player's to withdraw their bitcoins then teaching a kid about wallets and savings early on could be good too.

[--Encrypted--]

I'd tell them bitcoin is money. the end
if the kid is mine I'll teach them about bitcoin little by little until they know more than me or become the next Satoshi Nakamoto

[AtheistAKASaneBrain]

It's impossible that kids would understand how would Bitcoin works. I would focus on making them learning how to use a wallet and do basic transactions. Im sure any kid can learn that after seeing how they learn to use computers and smartphones pretty easily. They will grow up with it and be second nature to them. Eventually they can learn how the blockchain works.

[Fullbuster]

My kid would be a genius if he gets his mama's dna, so he can figure it out by himself no need of my help

[pooya87]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

i agree that teaching kids about bitcoin might be a little too soon and it might be a little hard to understand.
what you said about "Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all." is wrong. because they do and actually parents should start teaching them about concept of money at very early ages like 4-5 years old.

[Argwai96]

provide an allowance in the form of bitcoin
also we can introducing about trading game

we give 2 choice like market up or market down

Nice way on putting bitcoin in to a kids life, I'm actually going to take some what of your idea with out the trading part for now, i dont want my kid to be on the computer all day looking at charts that would be nuts lmao,
I'm going to setup a mobile wallet on hes phone with bitcoin so he could begin using it, i'm putting together a map of the stores that take bitcoin has payment.

[Daniel91]

Right now, I don't think I would like to share with my kids about bitcoin.
In my opinion, BTC is still very risky, not mainstream yet and people still see bitcoin as investment and buying it with hope that they will make profit from it.
If kids will ask me and I will have to give some answer, I will tell them that bitcoin is great new idea how to get rid from the banks and become financially independent but it's to early to say if bitcoin will make breakthrough and really become alternatively accepted world currency or not.
I will advice not to invest their own money here but to earn some BTC in a free ways and save it for later.

[franky1]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

i would not use the words "digital decentralised crypto currency"

i would simply have the game that accepts bitcoin, and a few online shops that sell candy, childrens clothing and just show the kids how easy it is to buy things.
i would explain that the 'funds' are not stored in a bank account by some company, but instead spread out all over the world and accessed using the special wallet and passkey, ensuring no one but the holder of the key can touch the funds.

it needs to be as simple as handing a kid some pocketmoney and showing them how to spend it.. and thats all

[Bees Brothers]

It is easier to teach kids about bitcoin than to teach them about the Federal Reserve System.
The same with adults...

[Argwai96]

It is easier to teach kids about bitcoin than to teach them about the Federal Reserve System.
The same with adults...

I know right at lease with kids the would value it but the federal reserve system is just out of this world all they care about is being able to print more free money pretty much.

[nandaltc]

I would tell them to stay away from Chinese exchanges!!

Why? I think they are good, I really used a chines Exchanger who is really good to me. Are you talking about BTC-e?

I think I will tell my Children, that if you want to earn some extra do use bitcoin, if it will be alive after 10 year 

[shorena]

As money in general is very abstract to most young kids I would not explain much about bitcoin, but rather show them how it works. Depending on the age possibly discuss more advanced ideas like >50% attacks, double spends in their different forms, etc.

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

i would not use the words "digital decentralised crypto currency"

i would simply have the game that accepts bitcoin, and a few online shops that sell candy, childrens clothing and just show the kids how easy it is to buy things.
i would explain that the 'funds' are not stored in a bank account by some company, but instead spread out all over the world and accessed using the special wallet and passkey, ensuring no one but the holder of the key can touch the funds.

it needs to be as simple as handing a kid some pocketmoney and showing them how to spend it.. and thats all

I like this idea as well, dont focus on the workings, focus on the use. Its pretty similar to how you would explain young kids the internet. You dont talk about routers, servers, backbones and all that. You show them what it has to offer and how it can be used (safely).

[ebliever]

Well, I wouldn't actually start with bitcoin, if I wanted to teach kids about bitcoin. I'd start with Piggycoin instead, as it is more geared to the purpose:

https://www.piggy-coin.com/

Note that they have a seed fund that educators can tap into to give kids a little "play money" in crypto to play with. My four kids all have Piggycoin accounts and I pay them regularly for little off-the-cuff tasks or when they are just being especially good and helpful as a way of thanking them.

I wish there was a game like Farm Satoshi (farmsatoshi.com, referral address https://farmsatoshi.com/?ref=13181) that was suitable for kids. Farm Satoshi actually has a very kid-friendly look and feel to it and would be easy for them to pick up. It's a fun game that uses satoshi for currency and handles real payouts (like a faucet) through Xapo. The problem is that the advertising is not kid-friendly on the whole. So if someone could cut out the "Russian/Thai/Chinese babes" type ads (which are only a fairly small proportion), it could be a real winner for something like this.

[Argwai96]

Well, I wouldn't actually start with bitcoin, if I wanted to teach kids about bitcoin. I'd start with Piggycoin instead, as it is more geared to the purpose:

https://www.piggy-coin.com/

Note that they have a seed fund that educators can tap into to give kids a little "play money" in crypto to play with. My four kids all have Piggycoin accounts and I pay them regularly for little off-the-cuff tasks or when they are just being especially good and helpful as a way of thanking them.

I wish there was a game like Farm Satoshi (farmsatoshi.com, referral address https://farmsatoshi.com/?ref=13181) that was suitable for kids. Farm Satoshi actually has a very kid-friendly look and feel to it and would be easy for them to pick up. It's a fun game that uses satoshi for currency and handles real payouts (like a faucet) through Xapo. The problem is that the advertising is not kid-friendly on the whole. So if someone could cut out the "Russian/Thai/Chinese babes" type ads (which are only a fairly small proportion), it could be a real winner for something like this.

I would say for any kid under 14 those are good startup points, has an sample my 15 year old is all about grown up stuff since he wants to be cool with his friend everything most be adult because kid stuff is not for him anymore.

but defendly great tools to get kids learning about digital currencies.

[Snorek]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

It is not a new concept I've heard about something like that before. I recall that someone created Minecraft server but with Litecoin economy and it didn't go well.
In short after sometime there were like wealthy elite on the server who can afford anything and 95% of other players were peasants. I wonder how it will go this time.

[BitcoinNewbie15]

I would show an animation video explaining what Bitcoin is to kids. I also think incorporating Bitcoin into some sort of a Video game would be a great way of getting kids interested in Bitcoin and it would also possibly make them want to learn more about Bitcoin.

[lorylore]

If you could explain bitcoin to a kid then you understand the bitcoin.

[Kakmakr]

Well, I wouldn't actually start with bitcoin, if I wanted to teach kids about bitcoin. I'd start with Piggycoin instead, as it is more geared to the purpose:

https://www.piggy-coin.com/

Note that they have a seed fund that educators can tap into to give kids a little "play money" in crypto to play with. My four kids all have Piggycoin accounts and I pay them regularly for little off-the-cuff tasks or when they are just being especially good and helpful as a way of thanking them.

I wish there was a game like Farm Satoshi (farmsatoshi.com, referral address https://farmsatoshi.com/?ref=13181) that was suitable for kids. Farm Satoshi actually has a very kid-friendly look and feel to it and would be easy for them to pick up. It's a fun game that uses satoshi for currency and handles real payouts (like a faucet) through Xapo. The problem is that the advertising is not kid-friendly on the whole. So if someone could cut out the "Russian/Thai/Chinese babes" type ads (which are only a fairly small proportion), it could be a real winner for something like this.

I would not introduce my kids to Farmsatoshi because all indications are that they are just another Ponzi scheme. See : ChickenCoins
Yes, you are right on using Piggycoin as a example and more gaming related sites should catch on to this.
Let's just hope, when they make tons of Bitcoins, they will not use it on Silkroad III. ^chuckle^

[Stn]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

If you told me this at the kindergarden, I would cry for you underestimating me.

I don't deny small share of wunderkinds in a kindergarten. And may be you were the one. But average kid knows only:
1. money is a thing to exchange for sweets and toys
2. money comes out from mummy's purse

I don't consider this as understanding. Baby elephant taking banknote from tourist and running to the local refreshment stall has the same level of understanding of money concept.

[pooya87]

Well, I wouldn't actually start with bitcoin, if I wanted to teach kids about bitcoin. I'd start with Piggycoin instead, as it is more geared to the purpose:

https://www.piggy-coin.com/

Note that they have a seed fund that educators can tap into to give kids a little "play money" in crypto to play with. My four kids all have Piggycoin accounts and I pay them regularly for little off-the-cuff tasks or when they are just being especially good and helpful as a way of thanking them.

I wish there was a game like Farm Satoshi (farmsatoshi.com, referral address https://farmsatoshi.com/?ref=13181) that was suitable for kids. Farm Satoshi actually has a very kid-friendly look and feel to it and would be easy for them to pick up. It's a fun game that uses satoshi for currency and handles real payouts (like a faucet) through Xapo. The problem is that the advertising is not kid-friendly on the whole. So if someone could cut out the "Russian/Thai/Chinese babes" type ads (which are only a fairly small proportion), it could be a real winner for something like this.

I would not introduce my kids to Farmsatoshi because all indications are that they are just another Ponzi scheme. See : ChickenCoins
Yes, you are right on using Piggycoin as a example and more gaming related sites should catch on to this.
Let's just hope, when they make tons of Bitcoins, they will not use it on Silkroad III. ^chuckle^

i agree, i don't know about farmsatoshi or any similar games for that matter but i think introducing bitcoin to a kid with a game is the best way to teach them about it.

[ebliever]

I would not introduce my kids to Farmsatoshi because all indications are that they are just another Ponzi scheme. See : ChickenCoins
Yes, you are right on using Piggycoin as a example and more gaming related sites should catch on to this.
Let's just hope, when they make tons of Bitcoins, they will not use it on Silkroad III. ^chuckle^

A Ponzi scheme is where you invest money and then get a return on your investment, only it turns out they pay you back with other, later, investors money.

Farm Satoshi is a game that pays you, in essence, for viewing advertising. You can't invest money into it, so it cannot be a Ponzi scheme.

I'm at level 20 in the game now, and it looks like I'll be able to earn about 100,000 satoshi/day after I finish power-leveling. I've got 550,000 satoshi laying there right now if I wanted to withdraw it. And not a satoshi invested. ;-)

[dkosasi]

I was make PH $10 few month a go and I got lottery etc... and now I make gh $250 and successful...thanks all member MMMBTC#MMMPays

[Argwai96]

If you have a 15+ kid that like to go shopping and you tell him hey here is a map of the stores you could go buy stuff at with bitcoin on hes cell phone, trust me he will understand just do you dad or mom homework to what places on your city take bitcoin has payment and give him some.

[myveryown]

I have given my niece n nephew some - in a vanity address, but they are not getting the private keys until i feel they are old and wise enough to look after them, they should learn a valuable lesson or two this way

[jt byte]

It's money that's stored in the computer. When daddy wants to pay someone, he sends the money through the Internet to the other person's pc.

[CEG5952]

I'd probably tell my kids all about bitcoin slowly like how it works and stuff like that. But not now. I like how my daughter doesn't want to get involved in any form of currency. She's allergic to this. She doesn't even want a dollar. She just wants food on her lunchbox.

[BlitzandBitz]

Give them some and see what they do with it.

[CEG5952]

Give them some and see what they do with it.

First thing they'll ask is "What is this?" ofcourse they wont spend it right away without any knowledge so you should go and guide them before giving them some for spending.

[dollarneed]

the first important thing i would teach them about internet,business and four quadrant like robbert kiyosaki told  and then i explain about bitcoin and how it works,i would to teach them to build a business and adopted bitcoin for their payment but i would not suggest them to doing something like what i've done in bitcoin but i just wanna show them the tips and trick,and let them to make their own decision what should they choose based on their passion.

[scarsbergholden]

Give them some and see what they do with it.

First thing they'll ask is "What is this?" ofcourse they wont spend it right away without any knowledge so you should go and guide them before giving them some for spending.

Yea most likely you have to give them a guide of is bitcoin use for and what can they buy, a few minutes for them to learn how to work a mobile wallet and how to make a payment, i would also give them a list of places where they could pay with bitcoin.

[hmblm1245]

Same way any FIAT currency.

[CEG5952]

Same way any FIAT currency.

How exactly the same way? Like you hand them a dollar and tell them to buy something on a convenience store or spend it on amusement parks? I don't think bitcoin works that way.

[Bitware]

I would do it in parallel to teaching them the value of fiat money, finance, economics, managing money, balancing a checkbook, etc. I'd pay them half their "pay" for their "work" in bitcoin and half in fiat.

[dollarneed]

Same way any FIAT currency.

How exactly the same way? Like you hand them a dollar and tell them to buy something on a convenience store or spend it on amusement parks? I don't think bitcoin works that way.

yup i think Its totally diferent when we hold bitcoin than fiat as we know that bitcoin is volatile and thats why we should teach our kids about bitcoin how it works and how to manage it but it the same way bitcoin and fiat is from their function yup as a payment.

[zecexe]

One of the best way to introduce Bitocin to kids, you have to show them how to set up a Bitcoin wallet and handle payments, both receiving and sending. Then,let them explore by themselves.

[rivoke]

First , we must our kid know how to trade with our local money ,they understand how to use internet , and understand basic math. Try to introduce them with some animation because explain through  animation will more efficient rather than explain with word. If they got interest, then we can explain more advance more how to make a wallet, transaction , etc.
IMO it's a bit hard to teach children because they're still lack of concentration. But at least, we have early introduce what bitcoin is...

[Amph]

One of the best way to introduce Bitocin to kids, you have to show them how to set up a Bitcoin wallet and handle payments, both receiving and sending. Then,let them explore by themselves.

better to do this with a small amount, they could screw something

i think you do it in the same way you teach them how a credit/debit card work, you can tell them that iban is the address and that the reciever must know this address, then you send money in the same way, using your client as if it was your bank account

[Gleb Gamow]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

Hello, boys and girls, mostly the cute-looking boys. My name's Bruno. I was invited by your teacher to give a talk on Bitcoin today. Most of yous probably never heard of Bitcoin so, with a show of hands, how many of yous have heard of My Little Pony? Great! Looks like everybody has which will make my task at hand that much easier.

Now, yous all know Pinkie Pie, right? Great! Okay, now click the following link on your computer: ATTENTION BITCOIN BBS. The cute boy in the back of the room with them big ears, please read the post aloud to the class while I pet the goat atop this here covered coffee table of which I'll uncover after Cutie Pie is finished reading.


"What the hell is Big Ears reading, and where does the goat fit in all this?"

[Herbert2020]

i think telling kids about bitcoin and how to secure it might be much harder than explaining cash to them.

but it mainly depends on what age your kid has, i think if they are past the early ages and have the minimal understanding of the cash concept then you can introduce them to bitcoin and how to set up a wallet and spend it.

and i think the best way for introduction is through a game that they can earn it like points in other games and spend it.

[bornil267645]

I don't think I would want to expose my kids to crypto this early. I would wait for them to understand the value of money. That would take a while. And when they do, i will buy them a PS with bitcoin and xplain it to them.

[fryarminer]

I think it's the other way around:

"Well son, when I was your age we had physical pieces of paper and heavy metal disks that we attributed value to. You filled your pockets with this stuff and had leather wallets to put the paper in so it wouldn't get lost. The papers had numbers on them and that was the value we gave them. 100, 50, 20, all the way down to 1. The disks were fractions of the 1, we called them cents.
Then you would hand over a ton of that paper or metal disks and get stuff like bread and milk from people that believed that that paper was worth something.
Then they came out with plastic cards that virtually moved that paper stuff from bank to bank, but they would also monitor your purchases and tell the big companies what you liked to buy so you could be targeted for advertisements.
Now we have Bitcoin. But back in the day the people who believed that the metal disks and paper had value didn't believe that Bitcoin had any value, so they preferred to continue bartering with paper and metal."

[lorylore]

Keep it simple, bitcoin is a form of money that can be exchanged for goods and services.
Monopoly money for grown ups, only it's imaginary and anyone in the world can steal it.

[DarkHyudrA]

I would not tell at all.
It's already hard to explain it to a non-tech adult, needless to say that it would be a mess to explain such thing to a common child.

[zeraTunerse]

One of the best way to introduce Bitocin to kids, you have to show them how to set up a Bitcoin wallet and handle payments, both receiving and sending. Then,let them explore by themselves.

But the situation is that kids are teaching elders and making aware them about the bitcoins lolz  Many teenagers are involved into bitcoins and are holding bitcoins and spending it for shopping. So I think kids are introducing bitcoins to older generation 

[wearepoor]

I don't think I would want to expose my kids to crypto this early. I would wait for them to understand the value of money. That would take a while. And when they do, i will buy them a PS with bitcoin and xplain it to them.

Very true. I think it would be too early to introduce bitcoins to the kids. As they are not matured enough and what if they keep on spending without knowing the value of bitcoins. It could be the financial loss to us as they don't the value of money.

[cellard]

I would not tell at all.
It's already hard to explain it to a non-tech adult, needless to say that it would be a mess to explain such thing to a common child.

This. I wouldn't try to explain them, if I had any kids, I would wait until they are at least teens and already know how to use the basics of a computer.
In anyway, in the next generations once Bitcoin is mainstream, the kids will grow up naturally knowing how to use it, we will not need to teach them, it's like smartphones, they just know what to do with them intuitively.

[commandrix]

Just teach them about Bitcoin the way you'd teach them good money handling skills. I think somebody already mentioned giving it to them as an allowance, which is an OK idea. A better one would be to give them a little Bitcoin for successfully completing chores. Have a list of chores you want done and how much Bitcoin you're willing to give them for each one, and they can pick and choose. Just don't get mad if not all of the chores are chosen as long as they're completing the ones they do choose. Then they can buy things with their Bitcoin or save it up for something big that they've been wanting. And don't be surprised if they buy a Domino's gift card on Gyft and then ask if they can get pizza for dinner tonight. Saves you having to cook.

[hunnaryb]

I would not tell at all.
It's already hard to explain it to a non-tech adult, needless to say that it would be a mess to explain such thing to a common child.

This. I wouldn't try to explain them, if I had any kids, I would wait until they are at least teens and already know how to use the basics of a computer.
In anyway, in the next generations once Bitcoin is mainstream, the kids will grow up naturally knowing how to use it, we will not need to teach them, it's like smartphones, they just know what to do with them intuitively.

Yeah in the same way when internet came into existence and we started to learn it and use it and our parents were not at all interested in learning it. But today everyone uses it even the older generation as internet has became the necessity same will go with bitcoins in future.

[fryarminer]

One of the best way to introduce Bitocin to kids, you have to show them how to set up a Bitcoin wallet and handle payments, both receiving and sending. Then,let them explore by themselves.

But the situation is that kids are teaching elders and making aware them about the bitcoins lolz  Many teenagers are involved into bitcoins and are holding bitcoins and spending it for shopping. So I think kids are introducing bitcoins to older generation 

Exactly. It's easy for kids to understand. We are the ones who are slow with tech.

[Falconer]

One of the best way to introduce Bitocin to kids, you have to show them how to set up a Bitcoin wallet and handle payments, both receiving and sending. Then,let them explore by themselves.

But the situation is that kids are teaching elders and making aware them about the bitcoins lolz  Many teenagers are involved into bitcoins and are holding bitcoins and spending it for shopping. So I think kids are introducing bitcoins to older generation 

Exactly. It's easy for kids to understand. We are the ones who are slow with tech.

Kids only understand about something that can give pleasure for them like video game or online game, not whole technology. Then what do you think if they get into bitcoin world with the fluctuation price, chart, blockchain, transaction, etc. It will make them feel bored, and don't want to know anymore about it.

[turvarya]

This whole thread is a good example, why so many people keep away from Bitcoin(and why, in my opinion a lot of people shouldn't have kids)
I most certainly would restrain from using words like "blockchain" or "double spend" when I tell a person (kids are just person, who haven't had as much experience(which is a good think in a lot of cases), they are not stupid). I would restrain from telling them about volatility.
So, I would explain it, the same way, I explained it to my sister(who is 22 now).
Download this app on your smartphone, write down this words for a backup, keep the backup save, here have some Bitcoin, look there is this site, where you can use your Bitcoin.
For a person, who depends on you(aka kids) just give them Bitcoin from time to time to use it(aka allowance)
For a person, who earn their own money(aka adults) show them a good exchange to convert fiat to Bitcoin. Now you can warn them about volatility, not putting all eggs in one basket and so on.
If they have questions, try to answer that questions in a simple way(and here is the big advantage about kids over adults: they ask more questions and they tell you, if they didn't understand the answer).
So, keep it simple, get your priorities right(most important thing is, how to use it, not that it will destroy all banks)

[Q7]

I'm not going to tell them about the the decentralization thing and it's advantages compared to conventional paper money. Probably the only thing I would tell them is that bitcoin can function similarly like what you have or can do with money. It's not free and you have to earn it. That's the farthest I would go to let them know about bitcoin. 

[n2004al]

If I will be invited to explain bitcoin to the kids I will explain that is a alternative money, where it can be used, why only in internet and that can be used to buy toys, computers, programs and other things to the internet. Maximum I will talk for 1 hour (or less) because more will bore them.

[Hazir]

This whole thread is a good example, why so many people keep away from Bitcoin(and why, in my opinion a lot of people shouldn't have kids)
I most certainly would restrain from using words like "blockchain" or "double spend" when I tell a person (kids are just person, who haven't had as much experience(which is a good think in a lot of cases), they are not stupid). I would restrain from telling them about volatility.
So, I would explain it, the same way, I explained it to my sister(who is 22 now).
Download this app on your smartphone, write down this words for a backup, keep the backup save, here have some Bitcoin, look there is this site, where you can use your Bitcoin.
For a person, who depends on you(aka kids) just give them Bitcoin from time to time to use it(aka allowance)
For a person, who earn their own money(aka adults) show them a good exchange to convert fiat to Bitcoin. Now you can warn them about volatility, not putting all eggs in one basket and so on.
If they have questions, try to answer that questions in a simple way(and here is the big advantage about kids over adults: they ask more questions and they tell you, if they didn't understand the answer).
So, keep it simple, get your priorities right(most important thing is, how to use it, not that it will destroy all banks)

You are right. But you gotta understand that people have no idea how to raise their kids to begin with. It is not only bitcoin problem, it is general problem with knowledge they are trying to pass on their children.
If you think that explanation full of useless scientific and specific words are good think again. It is sufficient to say that bitcoin is another type of money: just like Pound, Dollars and Euro are.
But difference is that bitcoin is only working online - just like Youtube. That explanation should be enough for starters.

[d4n13]

I give my kids allowance in BTC... no kidding.

They don't have wallets, but they have paper wallets.  I print them "bitBills", using a paperwallet utility.  Looks pretty and official.  I use blockonomics.co to put add each "bitBills" address to the watch list when I'm minting the money.  Anyway, when they want to buy something, they bring me (central authority) the bitBills and I'll change them to currency.  I also have all their bills in my watch list so I (central authority) can see if they cash them in elsewhere (unlikely until iTunes start taking bitcoin).

Anyway I love it because they are always telling me if BTC is up or down and they get excited when they "make" $1 due to a market swing.  This generates interesting questions like "Why does the value of BTC change".  I usually answer with things like "It didn't, you just saw the worth of the $ change".

Start 'em young

[saturn643]

Paying allowance to kids with bitcoin and helping them find ways to save and spend it.

[sana9821]

well it depends on how old are the kids, though if they are teenagers i would let them use it or give them pocket money, what would encourage them using bitcoins

[faridkifly]

What for you want to explain Bitcoin to a kid? Average kid hardly understands concept of money at all. It is too abstract for a young brain. Forget about Bitcoin god sake. Leave them joy of childhood.

Yeah I agree dude
Money is very complicated for child, but every people have a telent.. So who knows if you tell them about bitcoin, he/she'll learn&earn bitcoin better.

[talkbitcoin]

Paying allowance to kids with bitcoin and helping them find ways to save and spend it.

that would be so cool if you can do that for the kids and there are places that they can spend it

[Daniel91]

I think that very often kids are much smarter than we think, and usually they more quickly accept new ideas and technologies than we did at their age.
In my opinion, for a start it would be enough to explain them that BTC is virtual money and means of payment, which is slowly spreading globally.
For more explanation we should wait until the children are a bit older and more mature.

[Mickeyb]

Explain them simply, word by word and they will get it, don't worry. Kids are very smart, they are learning everything fast, especially because they are open-minded and used to learning at this age.

I bet kids would understand Bitcoin before half of the adults!

[bitcollins85]

12+ seems like an ideal age, since at that point they have better access to their own money
You can make one Wallet preloaded with a small amount of bitcoins. ask them to come up with goods and services

[Patatas]

I'll simply tell them that bitcoin is money online.  I'm not really good in explaining such things

[Denker]

This whole thread is a good example, why so many people keep away from Bitcoin(and why, in my opinion a lot of people shouldn't have kids)
I most certainly would restrain from using words like "blockchain" or "double spend" when I tell a person (kids are just person, who haven't had as much experience(which is a good think in a lot of cases), they are not stupid). I would restrain from telling them about volatility.
So, I would explain it, the same way, I explained it to my sister(who is 22 now).
Download this app on your smartphone, write down this words for a backup, keep the backup save, here have some Bitcoin, look there is this site, where you can use your Bitcoin.
For a person, who depends on you(aka kids) just give them Bitcoin from time to time to use it(aka allowance)
For a person, who earn their own money(aka adults) show them a good exchange to convert fiat to Bitcoin. Now you can warn them about volatility, not putting all eggs in one basket and so on.
If they have questions, try to answer that questions in a simple way(and here is the big advantage about kids over adults: they ask more questions and they tell you, if they didn't understand the answer).
So, keep it simple, get your priorities right(most important thing is, how to use it, not that it will destroy all banks)

Best answer I've read here.
I agree that showing how to use it is thousand times better than explaining. Kids learn really fast how things work. So just show them how to use Bitcoin where you allow them to spend it.

[xhoneyael]

This whole thread is a good example, why so many people keep away from Bitcoin(and why, in my opinion a lot of people shouldn't have kids)
I most certainly would restrain from using words like "blockchain" or "double spend" when I tell a person (kids are just person, who haven't had as much experience(which is a good think in a lot of cases), they are not stupid). I would restrain from telling them about volatility.
So, I would explain it, the same way, I explained it to my sister(who is 22 now).
Download this app on your smartphone, write down this words for a backup, keep the backup save, here have some Bitcoin, look there is this site, where you can use your Bitcoin.
For a person, who depends on you(aka kids) just give them Bitcoin from time to time to use it(aka allowance)
For a person, who earn their own money(aka adults) show them a good exchange to convert fiat to Bitcoin. Now you can warn them about volatility, not putting all eggs in one basket and so on.
If they have questions, try to answer that questions in a simple way(and here is the big advantage about kids over adults: they ask more questions and they tell you, if they didn't understand the answer).
So, keep it simple, get your priorities right(most important thing is, how to use it, not that it will destroy all banks)

Best answer I've read here.
I agree that showing how to use it is thousand times better than explaining. Kids learn really fast how things work. So just show them how to use Bitcoin where you allow them to spend it.

i also agree with that answer..well explained
for them to adopt it let them try it to spend it first..and have time to explained what they dont understand

[dollarneed]

This whole thread is a good example, why so many people keep away from Bitcoin(and why, in my opinion a lot of people shouldn't have kids)
I most certainly would restrain from using words like "blockchain" or "double spend" when I tell a person (kids are just person, who haven't had as much experience(which is a good think in a lot of cases), they are not stupid). I would restrain from telling them about volatility.
So, I would explain it, the same way, I explained it to my sister(who is 22 now).
Download this app on your smartphone, write down this words for a backup, keep the backup save, here have some Bitcoin, look there is this site, where you can use your Bitcoin.
For a person, who depends on you(aka kids) just give them Bitcoin from time to time to use it(aka allowance)
For a person, who earn their own money(aka adults) show them a good exchange to convert fiat to Bitcoin. Now you can warn them about volatility, not putting all eggs in one basket and so on.
If they have questions, try to answer that questions in a simple way(and here is the big advantage about kids over adults: they ask more questions and they tell you, if they didn't understand the answer).
So, keep it simple, get your priorities right(most important thing is, how to use it, not that it will destroy all banks)

Best answer I've read here.
I agree that showing how to use it is thousand times better than explaining. Kids learn really fast how things work. So just show them how to use Bitcoin where you allow them to spend it.

Yup agreed politely
this is a smart way to introduce bitcoin to the children,this method teach them to improve their creativity and their responsibility about their life and their future to
iam gonna use this method when i have a kids

[kostya.ash]

I dont know, maybe because he knows just play and toys

[ajun96]

I'll simply tell them that bitcoin is money online.  I'm not really good in explaining such things

it looks like they will not understand what you say,
the child is not the time to understand money

[nydiacaskey01]

My kids are now 6 & 7, they both go to school and they also get their daily allowance from me or their mom. I allow them to play with their mom's smart phone and sometimes mine as well. There is a game there where it's like candy crush and the points you get there is bitcoin. Another game is killing aliens, its not really a brutal game so i guess it's fine and killing aliens you get rewarded with bitcoins. As soon as they accumulated enough bitcoins, i pay them with real money and i explain to them that I need to wait for those bitcoin to be converted to cash but i give it to them right away so they can buy something from it.

[trinaldao]

install flappybitcoin and some games we can earn bitcoin like faucet allien kill
game is best way to introducing him

[investspot]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

This is really a tough speech.

[eternalgloom]

How would you explain bitcoin to a kid?

"A multi-player server on the wildly popular video game Minecraft has introduced bitcoin to its world as a way of teaching children about digital currency."
http://www.coindesk.com/kid-friendly-minecraft-server-launches-bitcoin-economy/

If you are invited to give a speech about bitcoin to school kids, how would you introduce bitcoin?

Nice, this is quite cool, I play Minecraft sometimes, should check out that server.

I think this is a pretty good way of teaching kids about Bitcoin and how to handle money in general

[ajun96]

install flappybitcoin and some games we can earn bitcoin like faucet allien kill
game is best way to introducing him

Haha lol, i dont think so maybe he would think if bitcoin only toys money

[gripflierGO]

I'm not going to tell them about the the decentralization thing and it's advantages compared to conventional paper money. Probably the only thing I would tell them is that bitcoin can function similarly like what you have or can do with money. It's not free and you have to earn it. That's the farthest I would go to let them know about bitcoin. 

Yeah, that is the best thing to do, we need to tell them the importance and efforts made to earn bitcoins, we need to tell them it requires great level of efforts to earn bitcoins, only showing them the advantages of holding bitcoins will not serve the purpose, so it is better we start from the basic step rather then showing them the value and benefits of bitcoins.

[flock123]

I would say to the children that bitcoin is one of the best coin in the internet 

[tadakaluri]

I am teaching my self to my kids about Bitcoin. I use many online resources like YouTube videos, trading exchange sites, faucets etc.

[torrentheaven]

I would say to the children that bitcoin is one of the best coin in the internet 

That's good, but the kids loves to watch videos I guess, So I think we should show them documentaries on youtube which would give them the exact idea about the bitcoins, that is true that they are still kids and would not know the technicality of bitcoins, but watching a video can make a difference, and for rest, we would contribute in explaining them what bitcoin is all about and how it is helpful.

[zero01]

This it's hard for kid , i dont know they can know or not . In my family i can say Bitcoin it's key to future of online payments .bitcoin it's technology , if you not learn from now , you can left behind . from bitcoin you can buy everything you Like .  

I would argue with you, I also sense bitcoin too difficult to understand children, so I would say that bitcoin is not for small children...

[MinerHQ]

I think until kids gets maturity like what is good and bad for them-self , one shouldn't teach all these things because there are many wrong ways we can use bitcoins.

[AtheistAKASaneBrain]

Simply put just dont tell them, I don't see people explaining kids how money works or how credit card and banking works. Explaining how to use it it's probably good tho.

[Derrike]

You can give them pocket money in Bitcoins.

But there is no need to explain anything to them, just tell them that you will now give them pocket money in bitcoins, and they will be curious to know what the fuck it is.