6 year olds and iPads...

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odusgolp
odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
in Chit-Chat
Let's say, hypothetically of course, someone wants to get a SIX year old an iPad. "It's a great learning tool," is the argument of said person.

How would you respond??

Completely hypothetically... of course.
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Replies

  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
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    "What? No. Get him a book and an etchasketch."
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
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    Is it my money? Then I point out how fragile they are and how likely it is to be damaged inthe hands of a child. MY money would not be spent on that.

    BUT if it isn't my money, or my child, I will smile serenely and say nothing. Not my business, even if my private opinion is it's massively wasteful and utterly ridiculous to give such an item to a small child.
  • _Wits_
    _Wits_ Posts: 1,286 Member
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    There are plenty of "learning tools" for that age level that don't cost a few hundred dollars..


    =)
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
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    "What? No. Get him a book and an etchasketch."

    ^^Wins

    Plus, I'm not a fan of kids having nicer toys than ME
  • _Wits_
    _Wits_ Posts: 1,286 Member
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    "What? No. Get him a book and an etchasketch."

    ^^Wins

    Plus, I'm not a fan of kids having nicer toys than ME
    LOL this too =p
  • Froggy1976
    Froggy1976 Posts: 472
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    I got my 13 year old a kindle fire. He loves it. Most of the functionality of the iPad without the camera and it is smaller and cheaper too! Don't know about the 6 year old part, that is your call. With proper supervision it could definitely be a great learning tool.
  • know_your_worth
    know_your_worth Posts: 481 Member
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    I know some kids around this age who have iPads. I think it's not a good decision.

    If it's only being used as a learning tool, then it should be the parent's iPad and they should watch/work with their child on whatever educational benefits it has to offer.

    Something that expensive doesn't seem age appropriate.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
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    a six year old should not have unfettered access to the internet. IMHO. There's reddit on there, for goodness sakes. And4chan. *shudder*
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
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    I would go the cheaper route and get an Android tablet if I wanted to make such a purchase.
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
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    What about the leapfrog thing that is out There. its age appropriate- not on the internet that i know of (kids are not internet stupid - my 7 year old niece uses the internet with supervision all the time) and there are lots of great games and learning tools that encourage reading, math, etc.

    I have issues when kids have nicer things than I do.
  • Shannon2714
    Shannon2714 Posts: 843 Member
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    I personally think that is a disgusting waste. If you want to allow your child to play with YOUR iPad, that's one thing. My 4 year old and 8 year old are allowed to play "their" games on MY iPad. But, to buy them there own is just ridiculous....IMO.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
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    Honestly, I get the mentality behind it...but an iPad? No.

    Maybe the LeapFrog learning tablet. It's designed to stand up to kids, and a 6 year old isn't going to accidentally see porn on it
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
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    I have an iPad for work and my kids (4 and 6) play with it occasionally. They are really good with it and unless the hypothetical person has concrete or tile floors throughout the house, they are pretty durable. I do think there are much better things to spend the money on for kids that age that cost less and are more appropriate for something for them to own. We bought the kids a refurbished Nintendo DS and a variety of games for much less than the iPad cost and it is just as portable. If hypothetical person is looking for a toy to share with her child though, an iPod could come in handy.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
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    Excellent...

    How about the "We live in the sh*ttiest town in America and a 6 year old with an iPad is a perfect target for crime."

    How about, "You can't afford to pay the child's school tuition but want to buy him an iPad?"

    How about, "Do YOU want an iPad and are trying to find an excuse to get me to pay for half of it?"


    Wait... I may have digressed a bit here...
  • spade117
    spade117 Posts: 2,466 Member
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    Wait until they are seven.
  • x__chrissy__x
    x__chrissy__x Posts: 123
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    I say YES!!! We have more than 1 iPad in our house. My youngest is 8 and she uses it all the time. It is an electronic gaget like a DS or wii, but it is portable and I CAN USE IT!!!! :) Just buy the protection and a good case so it doesn't get broken!


    and this grows with the kid. My kids had leapsters, DS, PSP, ect and they out grew that stuff.
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
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    First, I would encourage that person to contribute to the kid's college fund instead.

    If you're against it: I have an iPad at home and my 4 and 7 year old completely disengage with anything/anyone around them when they're playing on it. I only let them play on it for about 30 minutes per week. My kids don't need it and it's not worth it. By the time they're ready for it, they will be less expensive or there will be something better out there.

    If you're kinda "meh" : consider cheaper more educational options. Leap Pad is designed for kids. Also, Toys R Us has a wifi enabled tablet that's already locked down with parental controls. Both of those options are more durable than a giant piece of glass.
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
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    Next year, we will start issuing all our students (high school) iPads. Some of our feeder schools heard that, and now want to issue their middle school kids iPads so they'll be ready for high school. Won't be long before parents are wanting to get their younger kids one to get them ready for middle school....
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
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    What about the leapfrog thing that is out There. its age appropriate- not on the internet that i know of (kids are not internet stupid - my 7 year old niece uses the internet with supervision all the time) and there are lots of great games and learning tools that encourage reading, math, etc.

    I have issues when kids have nicer things than I do.

    I'd say the new leapfrog learning pad....they're about $80 and I'm sure will be even less if you wanna fight the crazy black friday crowds

    LeapFrog-LeapPad-Explorer-Learning-Tablet-02.jpg
  • BeingAwesome247
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
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    Excellent...

    How about the "We live in the sh*ttiest town in America and a 6 year old with an iPad is a perfect target for crime."

    How about, "You can't afford to pay the child's school tuition but want to buy him an iPad?"

    How about, "Do YOU want an iPad and are trying to find an excuse to get me to pay for half of it?"


    Wait... I may have digressed a bit here...

    hahahaha sounds like the ex husband wants the iPad

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