sadly i don't think the bots can play slower on chess.com... maybe there are chess games on steam with this function, but as far as i know, the bots on the chess sites move instantly.
but you can play with real players even if you're new, no shame in that. once your elo is stabilized you will play with people at your level 
Thanks for replying.
Yeah, I'm not too proud to lose a bit for a time, until I have some sort of reliable elo. There's a lot for me to learn though: being able to play (it's been a long long time), being able to play with a timer sans panic. What are all these times and game modes anyway (blitz, 10/420)! Where does/should one start with real people?... Maybe there is a lesson for that on the site; I'll look, but I'm out of lesson allowance for the day today.
This whole 'no simulated time play for the bots' thing though. It seems like a significant oversight to me. If you are going to give the bots names, if you are going to have them actually talk to you about their kids, if you are going to allow the bot (computer) games to be set up with time controls.... but then you don't bother to even slow the bots down a little! It seems an odd design choice to me. It will take me a lot longer to be able to join in with your real folks due to this most strange omission, that's for sure.
But whine over; I will get there. Thanks again.
As the pretend people even talk a bit to you, I'm surprised to find that there seems to be no simulation of thinking time for them.
Maybe I'm missing some setting? Currently they seem to move almost immediately.
I'm new you see, and I wanted to learn and practice a bit before playing any real people. It would clearly help me to practice with timers too, as this is something I have never done. These computer players not needing any time is kind of putting me off. How can I practice this without playing with real people?