Keeping kids safe online is tricky -- knowing what sites to block, and how to keep track of what theyr'e doing.

Now there's a new option for parents: Kiddie computers. The computers are designed with the youngest techies in mind, and parents love the idea of computer-savvy kids.

Ellen Hage bought a PC for her son Kellen when he was just three.

"I can play games, I can chat with my mom and dad, my sister, my two brothers," Kellen, now 6, told us.

Ellen Hage said she started Kellen on computers early to get him a head start.

"I thought it would be essential to the learning process of learning ABCs, his numbers, shapes, and colors in a fun, fun kind of way," Hage said.

Ellen's not alone. More parents are buying high tech toys for tots, said Tim Herbert, who is with the Consumer Electronics Association.

"Because technology is used in schools and certainly in the workplace, parents recognize that there is value in introducing children at an early age," Herbert explained.

Companies are designing laptops and PC's specifically for young kids. Some examples are the XO laptop, Digital Dimensions, and the Internet Launch Pad by Fisher-Price.

"There's a lot of opportunities out there to find the right product for the child," Herbert said.

And at a price that's nice. Kid friendly computers cost anywhere from $100-$600.

Herbert says they're built tough, to take kid abuse. Some models also feature things like big, bold icons, and come pre- loaded with educational software. Others use special programs that make web browsing and word processing easier to understand.

In terms of the internet, there are a host of tools available to help parents screen access to certain Web sites or to even block access.

Little Kellen Hage loves to play. His mom thinks her son's communication skills have been enhanced by playing.

But she admits, it's not for everyone.

"I think that it depends on the child and whether or not they're ready to be on the computer and I think that's an individual parent choice," Hage said.

Experts warn -- a computer is no replacement for real human interaction, and shouldn't be relied on as a teaching tool.