15 Surprising Facts About the Internet for Kids
The internet is a wonderful place where you can learn, have fun, and connect with other people. But how much do you really know about it? The internet is a big part of your life, whether you’re using it for schoolwork, watching videos, or playing games. We’ll talk about 15 surprising internet facts and technology facts for kids in this article, from how it started to how to stay safe online.
1. The Internet Was Born in the 1960s
Did you know that the internet was around before your parents were? The U.S. Department of Defense started it in the 1960s as a project called ARPANET. It was first used to send short text messages from one computer to another.
2. The First Website Is Still Online
The first website ever made is still up and running. Tim Berners-Lee made it in 1991, and it was all about how to use the Internet.
Link: Go to the first website
3. Over 5 Billion People Use the Internet
More than half of the people in the world use the internet now. That’s over 5 billion people using it to work, study, play, and talk to each other.
4. Kids Are Among the Fastest Growing Users
Recent studies show that kids between the ages of 6 and 12 are some of the fastest-growing groups of people who use the internet.
Fun Fact: Did you know that kids as young as 3 can now use the internet?
5. There Are Over 1.1 Billion Websites
There are websites for almost everything, from games and cartoons to science and sports! There are more than 1.1 billion websites as of 2025.
Types of Kid-Friendly Websites
| Category | Example Sites |
| Learning | Khan Academy Kids, ABCmouse |
| Entertainment | Nickelodeon, PBS Kids |
| Games | Cool Math Games, Funbrain |
| Stories | Kids World Fun |
6. The Internet Is Made of Many Cables Under the Sea
The internet may seem like it doesn’t exist, but it actually travels through thousands of cables that connect continents under the sea. Some cables are more than 20,000 kilometers long!
![Diagram: How Data Travels Across the World
[Submarine Cable Image]](https://www.kidsworldfun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/how-data-travels-across-the-world.webp)
7. Google Handles Over 8.5 Billion Searches Per Day
Have you ever thought about how many people use Google? Every day, the search engine handles more than 8.5 billion searches. That’s more than the number of people who live on Earth!
8. You Can Learn Anything Online
The internet is like a library where you can find out how to do anything, from baking a cake to solving math problems. It’s easy and fun to learn on sites like YouTube and other educational sites.
Technology Fact for Kids: YouTube has more than 50 million videos that teach you something!
9. Email Was One of the First Internet Tools
Before the World Wide Web, people came up with email (or electronic mail). Ray Tomlinson sent the first email in 1971.
Did you know? Tomlinson chose the “@” sign to go with email addresses.
10. Not Everything on the Internet Is True
Because anyone can post anything online, it’s important to check facts from reliable sources. Don’t trust everything you read or see!
Trusted vs. Untrusted Sources
| Trusted Sources | Untrusted Sources |
| Government websites | Random blogs |
| Educational platforms | Fake news sites |
| Reputed news channels | Unverified YouTube videos |
11. Cyberbullying Is a Real Problem
Some people are mean on the internet. This is what cyberbullying is. If someone is mean to you online, tell a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult right away.
Tip for staying safe online: Don’t give anyone your password or personal information.
12. The Internet Never Sleeps
The internet never sleeps, but we do. It works all the time. Because of time zones around the world, people are online all the time.
13. Internet Speeds Can Vary Greatly
Some countries have very fast internet, while others have very slow internet.
14. Digital Footprint Is Real
When you post, search, or click on something online, you leave a digital trail. It’s like leaving marks in the sand.
15. There’s a “Dark Web” Too
There is a secret part of the internet called the “dark web.” It’s not for kids and people often use it to do illegal things. You won’t find it on Google, and it’s best to stay away from it.
Tip for staying safe online: Only visit websites that your parents or teachers suggest.
Internet Safety Rules for Kids
- Don’t tell anyone your personal information.
- Make sure your passwords are strong.
- Don’t ever talk to people you don’t know.
- Don’t click on links you don’t know.
- Tell someone about bullying or bad behavior.
![Infographic: 5 Golden Rules of Online Safety
[Illustrated Checklist Graphic]](https://www.kidsworldfun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/5-golden-rules-of-online-safety.webp)
Quick Quiz: Find out how smart you are about the Internet!
1. Who came up with the idea for the World Wide Web?
A. Bill Gates
B. Tim Berners-Lee
C. Steve Jobs
2. What does the term “URL” mean?
A. Unique Road Link
B. Uniform Resource Locator
C. Universal Read Line
3. Should you let your friends know your password?
A. Yes
B. No
Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B
Conclusion
The internet is a great tool that lets us learn, make things, and talk to people all over the world. But you need to know how it works and how to use it safely. You now know 15 surprising internet facts and technology facts for kids that will help you enjoy the digital world the smart way!