What age for child to own a kindle/tablet device?

apesxx

DD 7 and DS 4 are getting tablets for xmas. They can both navigate the laptop, ipad and my iphone better than I can. im sick to death of opening up my photos on my phone and finding 20 thousand pictures of DD and DS's face's, so they'll have their own cameras now. Even I didn't know how to open up the camera while it was locked until they showed me.

It kills me to buy them tablets so young but all DD's friends have them and if I buy DD one and not DS then I will hear nothing but grief and arguments :-(

notanewuser

apesxx wrote: »

It kills me to buy them tablets so young but all DD's friends have them and if I buy DD one and not DS then I will hear nothing but grief and arguments :-(

Wasn't there a time when parents were parents and not held to random by a 4 year old? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? "Here, darling. Have an expensive piece of kit because I don't want to hear you complain about not having one, and I'm sick of you using mine." Really??!

fabforty

apesxx wrote: »

It kills me to buy them tablets so young but all DD's friends have them and if I buy DD one and not DS then I will hear nothing but grief and arguments :-(

Then don't. Seriously. I see nothing wrong with children having access to these devices from a young age - as long as they are used age appropriately - and sometimes it will make sense to buy them one. That's if you want to. I just despair when a parent says that they don't want to do something (for whatever reason) but they are going to do it anyway because' everyone else is doing it and they want a quiet life'. That just sounds ridiculous.

yalena10

I don't think children need all these technology. It's unnecessary . What is wrong with parents of today?

carolan78

I bought both mine a Nexus last Christmas, they were 5 and almost 7. They are both more than capable of using the tablets and both are very internet aware (I drum internet safety into them more than I do stranger danger to be honest because I come from a internet security background).

From Christmas to Easter my 7 year old came on in leaps and bounds with her reading, she went from just below average from her age to slightly above average. This was down to a combination of the phonics apps and her determination to be able to follow instructions on game apps.

My 5 year old hasn't come on in leaps and bounds (but I didn't expect him to, we are just starting the process of testing for learning disabilities) but he gets enjoyment from the tablet. We also do a lot of long journeys to visit grandparents, so the tablets double up as a portable dvd players on those.

I think as long as you're not using the app as a babysitter as some parents do the tv then the same rules apply. Used sensibly alongside other more traditional games, education, toys and outdoor play they can be a real asset. Each class in our school has laptops and an ipad for students to use, I can't see it been too long before more schools request each child has a tablet.

Tropez

I don't think it is a matter of being an "acceptable age" as much as I think it is a matter of the child being mature enough to use one without breaking it or slinging it around like a toy and there being a demonstrable use for the child to have one beyond "all my friends have it!".

hgotsparkle

A kindle that is purely for reading (not the kindle fire, basically), then I would say around 8 and above if they've asked for one.

A tablet I wouldn't get a child unless they saved up to buy it for themselves.
A tablet isn't something needful - I don't have one but I would like one, but I manage without it. They just need access to a computer for homework and be supervised. Kids don't need as much technology as is out there - they should be outside.

hgotsparkle

Hiddenidenity wrote: »

My mum has offered to buy him a computer/tablet for this for Xmas and then of course she said she would "have" to buy the 2 year old one.

I'm sorry but I absolutely fail to see why a 2 year old needs a tablet!
Saying you then have to buy the other child one is just completely stupid! What happens on their birthdays?


I can't stand to see children with smartphones and tablets, it just winds me up. When I have children, they will have a basic PAYG cheap phone when they start going out with friends, will get an old version kindle if asked for, and will not be getting a tablet or laptop as an entitlement.


And the excuse for getting kids a tablet because their friends have one is just pathetic.

AlexLK

hgotsparkle wrote: »

Kids don't need as much technology as is out there - they should be outside.

Absolutely agree with this. Furthermore, I bet these same tablet buying parents wonder why their children's written English is woeful.

hgotsparkle

AlexLK wrote: »

Absolutely agree with this. Furthermore, I bet these same tablet buying parents wonder why their children's written English is woeful.

I imagine it produces a lot of introverted children (not that its bad to be an introvert - I'm one myself) but how are they socialising properly when they're glaring at a screen?