6 year olds and iPads...

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

porn is not usually accidently found...but you can put parental supervision on the internet.

My biggest concern is what parental controls can't stop. The statistics on children being approached online are staggering. And much of this happens in "kid friendly" places.

Parents can stop that. Just don't allow them on forums or games with forums until they're much older and even then monitor they're stuff. My daughter's fb account goes through one of my e-mail addresses, so I know what she's up to. The info is out there, parents are just lazy

An ipad...no. But I am getting my 5 year old a andriod tablet for Christmas.

Weren't available when my kids were that age. However, if they were available, I wouldn't have asked for support from strangers on the issue. Nor would I be so bold as to tell someone what they should or shouldn't purchase for their child. As long as it's not illegal or wrong, it's nobody's business.

I have a new iPad with all the bells and whistles and my kids are using it 90 % of the. One of them was just awarded student of the month too.....so this idea of it being the cause of laziness doesn't really makes sense to me. Oh ya, he also scored 16 points in his last basketball game, he's 7:) Lazy isn't part of my kids lifestyle.........

If you want one for your kids...........don't bother asking anyone else for permission or validation.

I'd say....get the child a leap pad. It's more educational.

Maybe in some cases, but not for my child. She was never into anything that was too childlike. We bought her several leap pad systems, but they just weren't enough for her. She got bored quickly with them, and they were just too childish for her. But every child is different.

Same here, LeapPad was too restrictive for my kid. Not enough to explore and way more expensive with all the add ons. Plus, they grow out of that too quickly.

How bout you get your kids to do what I did as a child?

Send them off on the streets, tell them to make some friends, go to the playground and come home when it turns dark. Best childhood I could think of - **** technology!

3 yo cousin can unlock/use/play on an iPad but doesn't know how to use the potty. Blows my mind.

I have one, but my 3yr old uses it more than I do. I bought the Kid Mode puzzles app, he does Dora puzzles on it. He loves puzzles! Bonus, we haven't lost a puzzle piece yet! I do not see how there is anything wrong with that, and I don't understand why people are so judgmental about children using technology. I think it's amazing.

my now 3yr old has been using an iPad since he was 2. we bought it for all our overseas travels. we live in switzerland and travel to california about 4 times a year. it's a lifesaver. wanna know who's kid is practically silent on the plane? most well behaved? doesn't throw tantrums and fits? MINE! trust me...you do not want to be stuck on a 12 hour flight with a screaming child.

however the iPad is not solely his. it's a family iPad. we are, however, going to purchase him an iPad mini. yes, we are THOSE kind of parents. we like gadgets. and if we have the means to buy, then we will buy.

p.s. i will also add that the iPad is pretty darn durable and sturdy. we have a pretty good protector/cover/case for it and it's had it's fair share of being dropped by accident. it's still holding up just fine.

3 yo cousin can unlock/use/play on an iPad but doesn't know how to use the potty. Blows my mind.

Kids these days...

My boys have been using their grandparents iPads for years and they are 4 1/2 and 8. We just bought our 8 year old one for his birthday. He is on the A-b honor roll, in second grade and reading at a 4th grade level in the accelerated reader program. Plays baseball and soccer year round. Gets plenty of exercise outside. He has chores which include clearing the table and loading the dishwasher, making his bed and he does his laundry and put it away. (No, I'm not a mean mom, I believe in teaching kids they have responsibilities)

I have no problem with him having one. (They use them at school in computer lab anyway) it doesn't interfere with him being a kid and its very educational. It also teaches him reaponsibility and consequences. We've had no issues so far and he often will choose to play outside over using it...

As for your decision if you ex isn't paying bills or supporting your child then no, you shouldn't be splitting the bill with him.

Books do still exist. They are cheaper and better because they don't break !

Actually... they're not.

A nook runs you about 60-120$$

a kindle, you can get for 70-180$

a kid's book can cost anywhere between 1-5$ at a young age.

5 seuss books can cost you $23+ (starting at the used price)
The judy blume Fudge collection can run you about $15+ (again, used)
Nook books are typically 1-2$ + cheaper.
My oldest (heavy reader) has about 200 books.. after purging all the kid books. in 19 years she has acquired every seuss, bloom book, 1/2 king's collection, sisterhood series, potter.. all of it. The classics from to kill a mocking bird to a tree grows in Brooklyn. it would have saved me hundreds of $$ an a LOT of space. My niece? she makes my daughter's collection look like child's play.

The E-reader would have saved me hundreds of dollars ++. Yes, The Library is free (gas$$) and you can use Library nook books for free (and save gas $$. ) we live about 4 mi. from the closest library that is quite inadequate.

Also, yes. Books break. They get torn, written on, wet... all that fun stuff.

Whether it is a learning tool or not, the other distractions on it outweigh the learning tool. There are games, movies, etc that they'll get addicted to and it'll spoil them into thinking that they can get whatever they want. I strongly disagree with giving young kids these technologies, I understand sometimes it's easier to just shut them up with these but it's better to teach them to hard way.

The "other distractions" are only if you allow it. You don't have to download games and movies. You can block the Internet so they don't have unlimited access. And as far as spoiling them, my son didn't ask for it, it was a gift.

And only bad parents would give it to a kid to shut them up...and we never to take it into a restaurant to entertain them. That is family time...

It all depends on what kind of a parent you are as to how your child will be. Spoil them and yes they might turn out to be spoiled brats. Teach them, spend time with them and they'll be responsible kids.

Whether it is a learning tool or not, the other distractions on it outweigh the learning tool. There are games, movies, etc that they'll get addicted to and it'll spoil them into thinking that they can get whatever they want. I strongly disagree with giving young kids these technologies, I understand sometimes it's easier to just shut them up with these but it's better to teach them to hard way.

And why is it assumed that if you buy something like this that is to "shut them up"? The iPad isn't raising my 17 yr old autistic son. It is a tool that we use to communicate with him. And my 9 yr old still has friends, plays at the park, etc. I am sure there are people out there who merely let their children sit in front of video games, etc and don't do a thing with them but they are not the majority.

That comment came from a child...that's why I ignored it. I agree with you 100% though.

Weren't available when my kids were that age. However, if they were available, I wouldn't have asked for support from strangers on the issue. Nor would I be so bold as to tell someone what they should or shouldn't purchase for their child. As long as it's not illegal or wrong, it's nobody's business.

YES!! I have twin two year olds and the ipad has been an "invaluable" learning tool.

I am a teacher and we have iPads in school for kids to use and they actually are a great tool.

As long as they aren't sitting there using it 24/7 they have some great applications for learning.