1- How will we get access?
The Internet has been called the "Interim NREN", since it's what we have in place now.
I'm wondering how the family is going to get to the Internet "dial tone", let alone the NREN, especially since they live in a rural area. The information superhighway may be miles from their home, and it may be an expensive long-distance call to the "entrance ramp".
Or, the superhighway may run right through their front yard, but they can't make use of it because they have no computer, no modem, and no phone line to make the connection. What good is a superhighway if all you've got is a tricycle?
2- What will they be able to gain access to, and will their privacy be protected?
Beyond the infrastructure issues, I'm concerned about what kind of things will be available for them once they do get connected, how the resources will be arranged, and how they will learn to use these tools to advantage. Beyond that, how authoritative is the information in the digital collection, and how do we know for sure it came from a legitimate source? How confidential will their information searches be, and how will it be safeguarded?
3- Who will get access?
I'm concerned that even if the infrastructure and resource problems are resolved, that little girl still won't be allowed access, because a lot of folks don't think the Internet is a safe place for unaccompanied minors.
4- Does the family have any electronic rights?
Electronic responsibilities?
Are dinosaurs and a grade-school project too trivial for NREN?
Some people think the NREN should be reserved for scientists working on "Grand Challenges", not ordinary ones. Who will decide what constitutes "acceptable use"?