iPhones

pollyanna24

gastroboy wrote: »

You can also restrict the in-app purchases and other things so they don't accidentally spend a ton of money on pony glitter coins or something. Got to Settings --> General --> Restrictions....then go through and pick what you want to lock down. It's also better to take the Sim out, in case they make calls by accident.

Yes, there has been a couple of times when the 2 yr old has called people!

I'm not changing my number when I get my new phone, so not sure if the sim will still work in my old phone (on both fones if you see what I mean).

I'll have to look into that restriction thing. At the moment, I'm asked for my password when I want to buy something, but if something else is bought straightaway, it just buys it and doesn't ask for the password! Think it asks for it again after about 15 minutes.

pollyanna24

by the way... pony glitter coins! My 4yr old would love that! Gona look into them now! Haha.

Caroline_a

Now... I'm a real technical fan, I love my gadgets. But I agree that at 4 and 2 children do not need someone's old iPhone. Sell it, buy some crayons, paint, books, dressing up clothes. And if you get more money than you want to spend put it towards their next birthdays.

Let them be children, let them learn to play, to be imaginative, to read, to experience things in the garden, in the park. Looking and fiddling with a screen will not broaden their learning.

nfollows1982

Why is everyone pandering around the subject?

Giving a 4 year old and a 2 year old an iPhone, no matter if it's old or new, is a stupid idea!

No child at that age needs an iPhone, it's not educational and there are many many electronic toys that are far more age appropriate for children of that age.

Can I ask, when you say you're giving them it for Xmas, is this meant to be their present or have they actually got other things too?

Personally, it'd be ebay or a mobile buying site and spending the money on something more appropriate.

Bitsy_Beans

Caroline_a wrote: »

Now... I'm a real technical fan, I love my gadgets. But I agree that at 4 and 2 children do not need someone's old iPhone. Sell it, buy some crayons, paint, books, dressing up clothes. And if you get more money than you want to spend put it towards their next birthdays.

Let them be children, let them learn to play, to be imaginative, to read, to experience things in the garden, in the park. Looking and fiddling with a screen will not broaden their learning.

Sorry but I have to disagree here abut broadening their learning. There are LOADS of educational apps you can buy or indeed download free. My 4 and 7 year old play on our iPad, they love the spelling apps and the space quiz one. It's not all just angry birds

If the OP was considering buying one then I'd agree its daft but if its a spare and no longer of any value what's the harm? Like any computer access is best limited and I see no reason why this wouldn't be applied to the apps on a phone. My kids still love painting, getting muddy and all the other usual kid games and they still have access to the apps the OP could well be using.

Johnny_Barnes10

My 3 year old had her Mums old iPod when she had her iPhone. Helps her I think seeing numbers, shapes etc. All about choosing the right apps, and not letting her spend all day on it. Nothing wrong with introducing technology to young kids I say.

Bitsy_Beans

Johnny_Barnes10 wrote: »

My 3 year old had her Mums old iPod when she had her iPhone. Helps her I think seeing numbers, shapes etc. All about choosing the right apps, and not letting her spend all day on it. Nothing wrong with introducing technology to young kids I say.

Can't avoid it! My DD was 3 and having access to interactive whiteboard and PC in nursery. Kids are being exposed to technology early, might as well accept that they can do this whilst still experiencing an old fashioned childhood.

wanchai_2

pollyanna24 wrote: »

Thanking everyone for their replies.

I think it's the really old version. I've had it three years now.

I'll give it to the girls and see what happens.

What'll happen is: it'll be smashed within a week.

They're 4 and 2 :eek:

Make-it-3

I think its silly of some posters here to get on their high horses about giving a child an OLD i-phone.

My 22 month old would say my/her dad's iphones are her favourite toys. Yes she wants to be on them more than I'd like but time is rationed and she has no interest in TV which I'm fine with as in my view is far more passive screen-time.

There's lots of educational aps around from toddlers upwards. My DD can count to 20 and recite her A-Z and I do believe aps have played a big part in this.

OP, I'm a complete novice so can't answer many of your questions but if you switch your number/account to your new phone your old SIM will stop working. If the phone needs a SIM to allow aps to function then maybe a PAYG will do the trick.

My only question is how do a 2 and 4 year old not squabble over the phone??

thehappybutterfly

I also disagree with giving kiddies phones - how are they supposed to understand that it's 'alright to play with this one but not ok to play with that identical one'? Let children be children - there's plenty time for technology when they're old enough to appreciate it.

I agree with the other posters who said sell your old phone and buy some arty-crafty bits and pieces - there's nothing like a messy painting of mummy and daddy to put a smile on anyone's face!

OP - I know you asked for techy advice and not opinions but I'm afraid we're quite opinionated on this forum!