Kids and Technology

*Louise*

I've read a few threads now about birthday/christmas gifts for children and it's always interesting to read how much people's opinions differ on what is suitable for various age groups.

Is there an ideal age for when it's 'right' for a child to have an expensive technology item? Are there other reasons why a child should or shouldn't have something? Or have you given in and bought something sooner than you would have due to peer pressure?

The main items of contention seem to be:

Mobile Phone
Kindle
Games Console
Handheld Console
Laptop
Ipad/Android

What are your preferences age-wise for your child/ren?

*Louise*

I will start, although I often feel as though I am too strict (especiually after reading others on here):o

Mobile Phone - age 11 (the christmas before they start high school)

Kindle - DD has been borrowing mine since she was 4 and I like to encourage reading so would get her her own probably when she is 6

Games Console - I got eldest the Wii when he was about 8, he is only just about to get an xbox this christmas and he will be 13 by then

Handheld Console - Age 6 for the DS, age 8 for the 3DS (due to the worry of damaging eyes)

Laptop/netbook - Age 15/16. I can't see why the family computer isn't good enough up till then. It would also only be if they were staying on at school as they would need it for working on.

Ipad/Android - I don't have one so they can buy their own when they're earning :rotfl:

spadoosh

Is this referring to the should i buy my 4 y/o an ipad thread?!

I didnt look in but hovered over. Would say 4 is too young for an ipad. Should be some interesting reponses and will be good to view how it differed from me growing up!

To add, i dont have children but am normally the one shocked when i hear what i think is my phone ringing to turn around and watch a toddler answering it with ease.

*Louise*

Not specifically that one, there have been others over the months, and on other parts of the board about varying technology items.

Hermia

I don't think it's just about age, I think it's also about why they are wanting the item. I would be more than happy to buy a Kindle for a 10 year old who was an avid reader. I would not be happy to buy an iPhone for a 10 year old who only wanted it because it was trendy and probably wouldn't even use half the functions on it.

spadoosh

Louise, before i realised i dont have kids i put v similar figures in. Though a little bit earlier for the laptop (13) dunno why exactly just though i used computers alot early days in high school. That and the home computer was just mine, i occasionally had to share dial up with phone calls!

NewKittenHelp

As young as possible. No point in shielding them from technology when it's going to play a huge part in their adult lives.

We didn't shield children from pencils because they were new fangled technology and chalk was good enough for their parents when they were children.

browneyedbazzi

I don't have my own kids yet, but I will do my best to keep them away from video games and other consumer electronics as long as possible. I really don't think that expensive things (whether technological or not) are appropriate for young children who don't understand their value. I also don't really see the need for these things. I have friends who buy expensive electrical items for their children as a sort of status symbol ('look what I can afford to give my children'....even though I know some of them are just barely scraping by) and often the children don't really want/need the things. it just seems crazy to me!

I also really dislike video games (with the exception of wii fit/sport type things) and will do my best not to have them at home at all- I cared for my nephew for years and he started asking for video games from about 5 years old and I have always refused to buy them (he's almost 17 now, I've still never bought any and he gave up asking a couple of years ago).

Maybe I'm really old fashioned or a stick in the mud!

lilmisskitkat

*Louise* wrote: »

I will start, although I often feel as though I am too strict (especiually after reading others on here):o

Mobile Phone - age 11 (the christmas before they start high school)

Kindle - DD has been borrowing mine since she was 4 and I like to encourage reading so would get her her own probably when she is 6

Games Console - I got eldest the Wii when he was about 8, he is only just about to get an xbox this christmas and he will be 13 by then

Handheld Console - Age 6 for the DS, age 8 for the 3DS (due to the worry of damaging eyes)

Laptop/netbook - Age 15/16. I can't see why the family computer isn't good enough up till then. It would also only be if they were staying on at school as they would need it for working on.

Ipad/Android - I don't have one so they can buy their own when they're earning :rotfl:

Very similar for us Louise

Mobile Phone - DD will be getting her first this Xmas, she turns 11 in Oct.

Kindle - Neither DH or I have one or want one so probably when old enough to buy their own

Games Console - Bought a Wii for the family as a whole when DD1 was 7. It's in the living room so it can be supervised and used by all of us (except DD2 - yet!)

Handheld Console - DD was 6 when she got her first DS, we upgraded to a DSI last xmas for her. DS is getting a DSI this xmas, he will be 4.5yrs.

Laptop - We have a family pc, i see no need for a laptop until mid-teens.

Ipad/Android -When they can buy their own, neither DH or I have one.

Friend's children already seem to have many of these things, mobile phone from age 5/6, ipads at 7 etc but it's just not for us. Each to their own i suppose but i do wonder what will be 'good enough' at 16 when kids are getting things like ipads etc for their 7th birthdays!

* Edited to add* Only age appropriate games for the Wii and DS and the usual parental controls on the pc. I've let DD1 watch a 12A film (Harry Potter) but other than that we are quite strict.

K xx

anniemf2508

Mobile phone- dd was 11 as she was walking to and from school on her own, was just an old one of her dads

Kindle- if an avid reader i'd say about 12ish

Games console- we only have one in the living room, but if i was to buy one for the kids they'd probably be about 8 or so

Handheld console- dd had a DS when she was 9, ds had one when he was 4 but only a second hand one.

Laptop- we bought dd a laptop when she was 11 as both the other pc's in the house are used for work stuff so didn't want her doing anything to disrupt any work.

no ipads here , both have access to a tablet, i wouldn't purchase one specifiaclly for them tho until their teens really tho

threemuttleys

I am considering a Leapfrog pad thingy for my 2 year old (Second hand ebay!)