6 year olds and iPads...

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
    "What? No. Get him a book and an etchasketch."
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    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
    There are plenty of "learning tools" for that age level that don't cost a few hundred dollars..


    =)
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    "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
    "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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Wait until they are seven.
  • x__chrissy__x
    x__chrissy__x Posts: 123
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    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

    Yup. My 4 year old brother has one of those leap pad tablet things. He does play with the iPad my Dad has but my Dad is all about expensive technology and gadgets and all that so he's been around them his whole life. But to buy one solely for the child's use? Seems like a waste of money to me.
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Are the parents planning on getting their precious 6 year old a Ferrari as a first car? I mean, it's a great driving experience.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    FTR, the six year old in question is allowed to play his games on iPhones, iPads, laptops, etc. that belong to the adults in his life. But doesn't play on them very often and is supervised. He has been to different internet sites required by school, but that's it. He doesn't know how to use the computer on his own... he thinks everything is touch screen and doesn't get the concept of a mouse *LOL* Technology!! I won't be able to keep up in a few years, I'm sure.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    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

    I plead the fifth :tongue:
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    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

    EXACTLY
    :angry:
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    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...
    It sounds like you skipped a few details here! If you can't afford other things that are needed, don't even think about it. If you aren't going to fully supervise, don't even think about it. If you are really trying to get someone else to buy it, get over it and buy your own. My iPad is locked like Fort Knox. The kids can't get into it without me being right there, and then, after it is logged on, I have to log on to the internet.
  • JPod279
    JPod279 Posts: 722 Member
    If anyone wants to buy one (or two) for my girls please go ahead. There are some great apps out there that help them learn to read, build hand-eye coordination, etc... My girls have been able to operate my iphone since they were 2.
  • oddyogi
    oddyogi Posts: 1,816 Member
    What about an iPhone 5 instead?

    :laugh:
  • _kannnd
    _kannnd Posts: 247 Member
    I think it depends on the maturity level of the kid and the financial situation of the parents. I don't feel like every kid should have one, but they can be really good. However, if you are having issues paying other bills and such, then hell no they shouldn't buy it.

    My kid had an iPod touch at 2.5 years old. Was she spoiled? Maybe. But it made car rides a hell of a lot easier. My kid is also one that takes care of her things. Even at 2.5 years old. She's 7 now and has her own iPhone. It's my older 4, but it was something with my husband and I. She's getting to the point where she's starting to go to friends' houses and such, and we want to be able to get in touch with her at all times if needed. Plus there is this nifty little thing called 'Find My iPhone' if for some crazy reason she got separated from us.

    I'll probably get blasted for this but I really don't care. Like I said, the maturity level of my 7 year old is greater than some adults I know.
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    put me in the "it's not a bad idea that they have access to one, but to get them one of their own is a little much."

    i have a boy who will be 2 in a couple weeks. he plays with an iphone occasionally, and i have no doubt that it has contributed to/reinforced recognition of the letters, shapes and numbers since about 18 months. but I don't think i could buy him an ipod/ipad/tablet/etc.

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