What’s Y2K
About?
A kid’s
guide to the
millennium
bug
Head
ing
Molly Latham
Area Extension Specialist
Plac e your mes sage here. F or maximum i mpact, us e two or thr ee sentences.
Children, Youth and
Family Team
Fact Sheet 99-67
What does it mean?
You might be wondering what all the talk
about Y2K is about. Should you be afraid?
How can you help?
Let’s start with understanding what Y2K means. The “Y”
stands for year. The “2” means the number 2. The “K”
is a way to say 1000. You can think of it like a multiplication problem:
Year 2 x 1000 = The year 2000
The problem in the year 2000 is computers. When
computers were first built they were programmed to use
a two-digit date for the year. So, 03/18/92 meant
March 18, 1992. The computer understood 92 meant
1992. On January 1, 2000 when the computer calendar
turns to 00 the computer might not know the difference
between 2000 and 1900. That was the last year that
ended in 00.
My Plan to Get Ready
These are the steps I need to take to be ready for
Y2K—
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
4. _________________________________
5. _________________________________
6. _________________________________
7. _________________________________
Don’t forget to share your plan with your family and
friends. You can help them be ready too.
The Future
What might happen?
The year 2000 is coming. It might be a confusing year
to some and an exciting year to others. You can help
reduce the confusion by keeping calm, being prepared
and helping others understand what Y2K means.
Confusing 1900 with 2000 might cause problems with some
computers. Not only do we have small personal computers
at home or in school, there are also
large computers that run power plants,
water treatment plants, bank records,
traffic lights and grocery store cash
registers. These are the computers
that some people are worried about.
Many businesses that have these large
computers have been working hard to
program them to understand the difference between
1900 and 2000. These businesses are now what is called
“Y2K compliant.” This means their computers will keep
working with no problems.
This is the first part of a poem by Robert Muller. Mr.
Muller wrote this poem for Earth Day in 1977.
Twenty-two years ago he saw what a great chance we
have on January 1, 2000 to make good changes for the
future. He had a dream about a better world because
of changes we can make. This poem tells us about his
dream.
My Dream 2000
By Robert Muller
I dream….
That on 1 January 2000
The whole world will stand still
In prayer, awe and gratitude
For our beautiful, heavenly Earth
And for the miracle of human life.
Happy New Year and
don’t let Y2K bug you!
Some businesses may not have time to
re-program their computers before January 1.
If these computers don’t work correctly, they might cause
problems with drinking water, electricity, gas stations,
traffic lights, banks and grocery stores. This is called the
“millennium bug.” The word millennium means the next
thousand years. The word bug is used to describe a
problem in a computer program. If there are enough
computers with “bugs,” some things we depend on in
everyday life might not work. It might cause problems
where we live.
There are some things you can do
to help in your community too. The
Points of Light Foundation
recommends these activities:
How Can You Be Ready?
What can you do?
It never hurts to be prepared for emergencies. You and
your family can be ready for Y2K by following some easy
steps. Here’s how you can help:
•
If you have a computer at home, make sure it is Y2K
compliant. Most personal computers built since late
1996 are compliant (USDA). But it is important to check
this with the company that made your system. Or, you
can test your system and download fix it software for
free at http://www.onmark.viasoft.com/download/
fix.html.
•
If you have a bank account, make sure you have a recent
record of how much money you have in the bank. You
can keep a printed record with your important things in your room.
•
Keep some cash in your piggy bank in
case of emergencies.
•
Make sure your flashlight and radio have fresh
batteries. Have some extra batteries too. Don’t use
candles for lighting (Red Cross).
•
Anytime you leave home, make sure your family knows
•
Help younger kids or senior citizens understand
about Y2K and how they can prepare.
•
Learn more about Y2K with other kids at school.
Develop a website or a flyer about Y2K in your area.
•
As a group or school have a neighborhood battery
drive.
•
Organize a collection drive for extra emergency
items, including canned food, bottled water, first aid
kits, etc. and donate to those in need.
•
Match students with senior citizens or homebound
people in your neighborhood. This buddy system will
give people someone to help in case of emergency.
The Points of Light Foundation has other great ideas to get
involved in your community. You can check out their web
site at www.pointsoflight.org.