When Should Kids Learn To Type [POLL]

Last night Titus came home from school and told us that his homework was to type a book report. Kat and I looked at each other and I could tell she was thinking the same thing - is he old enough to use a computer? He is 8 years old and in 3rd grade, so really he is probably past the age that most kids start using a computer (he does play more than his share of video games though). We let him use the laptop to type his report because we were afraid he would accidentally delete files from the desktop computer. He finished his report and it took a long time since he didn't know how to type on a "qwerty" keyboard...and as far as I know he didn't delete anything from the hard drive.

I didn't learn to type until late in Junior High and they taught us on word processors, not on computers. When do you think is appropriate to let your kids learn to use a computer?