i got a pos windows computer when i was 7 then i got a new desktop computer when i was ten. then i got a laptop win 7 laptop intel i3 13 or 14 then i got a iPad mini in march of last year which i use as my main computer in-till i get a new laptop. plan on buying a the new smaller 12" Retina MacBook Air when it comes out. i get work release so i have a job at a large grocery store chain
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How young is too young for an iDevice?
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One hour per day is sufficient for him if he needs to do school research. It is not about him being responsible to handle internet usage but rather how much he uses the internet. He comes home from school around 3.45pm. Bu the time he has had a shower, studied and had tea it has gone 7.30pm. After that he can spend an hour or two with the family before going to bed. I think that is fair.
Quite literally everything you said here has nothing to do with simply having the device, just how it's used and how much the kid's allowed to sit and use it.
I just laugh my ass off when people view things as so black and white. Like either the kid sits in his room playing Angry Birds from sunup to sundown or he's outside making a million friends and playing stickball with the local scalawags.
What is the point of having a million devices when he hasnt got the time to use them? Why have an iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac when they pretty much do the same thing?
And I am also very much aware of whom my son plays with and what he does. I advise him and talk to him all the time and try to explain to him the reasons for a particular decision I have made. I try to make him understand the reasons behind an action and the fact that that action was taken with his best interests at mind.
Frankly, I'd rather have him play outside with a million friends than turn into a nerd that spends all his time in front of computer screens and is not able to string a sentence together.
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One hour through parental controls no less.
You know what's gonna be hilarious? When the kid hits college and ends up going bananas because his parents were stupid strict so rather than actually learning discretion for himself he lived his life solely by mommy and daddy's iron-rock schedule and rules.
Teach your kid to think and make judgements. Otherwise all you've done is create a kid who has no reasoning skills or self control, just an adaptation to rules that will not always be there.
Read the answer above. I do certainly talk to my son and explain things to him. A child of that age needs a combination of teaching and rules. And they learn through both. Yes at that age they do have some judgement making skills but hormonal changes take over easily. I dont think there are many 13 year old lads out there who can resist the temptation of playing on gadgets for long periods.
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LOL, sorry but I had to laugh. You have discovered the solution for stopping peopl to use drugs. Give them all a device and problem solved. I suppose that way they can talk to the dealer via FaceTime. LOL
Well, I never had a device when I was young so excuse me whilst i go to inject myself.
There's a difference between letting your teenager have free rein as long as they get their homework done and putting appropriate limits on younger children. I work in early childhood, and here are some of the recommendations we follow:
--NO screen time for children 0-2. They learn through interaction with people, especially Mom and Dad! That nifty app won't make potty training magically easier.
--Preschoolers should be very limited, probably 1-2 hours. This is while they're in childcare, but there shouldn't be a whole lot more at home. Reading e-picture books together on your iPad and some interactive games are fine, but anything where there is no interaction should be very limited.
--Not a lot of recommendations for elementary and middle school kids, but I'd say monitor what they're doing. Limit what devices they can take into their bedrooms. I see little reason for them needing a phone with service, but I didn't get my first cell phone until high school. Maybe a dumb phone if you have a latchkey kid. Whatever you do, ensure they do their homework first and aren't doing anything dangerous on the internet. Same with high schoolers for the most part. As for college kids, let them do what they want. They're old enough to save up for their own devices. Even some high schoolers can save up from a part time job.
Personally I'm not going to pretend like my preteen or teen isn't doing things they shouldn't be. I was a child of the 90s and 2000s. We got AIM, email, and Facebook all before society said we should. The key is to teach your kids not to be stupid on the internet.
www.naeyc.org has some very helpful recommendations for teachers and parents of young children.
Btw: announcing to this forum that you're 12 years old is STUPID. At least be smart enough to fake your age and get a username that doesn't include your actual name.
--NO screen time for children 0-2. They learn through interaction with people, especially Mom and Dad! That nifty app won't make potty training magically easier.
--Preschoolers should be very limited, probably 1-2 hours. This is while they're in childcare, but there shouldn't be a whole lot more at home. Reading e-picture books together on your iPad and some interactive games are fine, but anything where there is no interaction should be very limited.
--Not a lot of recommendations for elementary and middle school kids, but I'd say monitor what they're doing. Limit what devices they can take into their bedrooms. I see little reason for them needing a phone with service, but I didn't get my first cell phone until high school. Maybe a dumb phone if you have a latchkey kid. Whatever you do, ensure they do their homework first and aren't doing anything dangerous on the internet. Same with high schoolers for the most part. As for college kids, let them do what they want. They're old enough to save up for their own devices. Even some high schoolers can save up from a part time job.
Personally I'm not going to pretend like my preteen or teen isn't doing things they shouldn't be. I was a child of the 90s and 2000s. We got AIM, email, and Facebook all before society said we should. The key is to teach your kids not to be stupid on the internet.
www.naeyc.org has some very helpful recommendations for teachers and parents of young children.
Btw: announcing to this forum that you're 12 years old is STUPID. At least be smart enough to fake your age and get a username that doesn't include your actual name.
To young is probably around 7 months but once they hit 8 months they should have there own ios device.
any moderately intelligent 2 year old can figure out an idevice, pinch-to-zoom, swiping through photos, etc. - that doesn't mean it makes them more computer-literate, and is more a proof of apple's easy to use UI than of their intelligence.
there's no such things as digital natives - kids born in the nineties or naughties know as little or as much about computers as someone born in the 70ies. little kids are just fascinated by the colors and the animation and will spend a lot of time in front of idevices, if let. which only makes them fat and robs them of time they could spend to develop other necesarry skills (social, athletic, ...). they are growing up in a world where computers are omnipresent anyway - i'd say, keep them away from them as long as possible. it won't be very long either way.
there's no such things as digital natives - kids born in the nineties or naughties know as little or as much about computers as someone born in the 70ies. little kids are just fascinated by the colors and the animation and will spend a lot of time in front of idevices, if let. which only makes them fat and robs them of time they could spend to develop other necesarry skills (social, athletic, ...). they are growing up in a world where computers are omnipresent anyway - i'd say, keep them away from them as long as possible. it won't be very long either way.
What a nice thread and interesting replies!
I got my first mobile when I was 15 (I'm 24) but got my first iPod (Touch) when I was 19. Having said that, I think it was "easier" for parents to control their kids did on the phones (and the computer) back then.
Nowadays, I think it comes down to education and privacy... You know, with all this "nude selfies" stuff, a lot of pervs around the internet and how quicky information is shared these days, you must have your kids very well aware of how a bad decision with your phone can harm them. Maybe restricting social networks until the kid is mature enough?
As for an iPad, I think that for school and all that, 15 should be enough for giving them one. As for playing just a while... I'm not sure, I had my first Nintendo console when I was like 7 and was allowed to p,ay one hour per day, but my nephew who is 4 uses his mum's iPad to play sports games, angry birds and all that just one hour per day.
Again, it comes down to good education
I got my first mobile when I was 15 (I'm 24) but got my first iPod (Touch) when I was 19. Having said that, I think it was "easier" for parents to control their kids did on the phones (and the computer) back then.
Nowadays, I think it comes down to education and privacy... You know, with all this "nude selfies" stuff, a lot of pervs around the internet and how quicky information is shared these days, you must have your kids very well aware of how a bad decision with your phone can harm them. Maybe restricting social networks until the kid is mature enough?
As for an iPad, I think that for school and all that, 15 should be enough for giving them one. As for playing just a while... I'm not sure, I had my first Nintendo console when I was like 7 and was allowed to p,ay one hour per day, but my nephew who is 4 uses his mum's iPad to play sports games, angry birds and all that just one hour per day.
Again, it comes down to good education
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I'm 17 going on 18 this year. I got my first iPod (2nd gen. Nano) at 10, my first phone (dumbphone) at 14, and my first iPhone at 15. I got both my MBP and iPod at 16, though my parents shared their iPads with me since I was 14. I was never figuratively the first kid on the block to have these things. It's definitely starting younger. I wouldn't let a four-year-old own their own iPad though; if I had kids that age it personally makes more sense that I'd just share my gadgets with them.
@iliria even that is not a lot. My research takes more than an hour, because I try to get as much information as I can. He's a thirteen year old, not a five year old. Give him some space and let him do what he wants. I'm telling you and others, that restricting a child makes them more aggressive. He may not be showing it now, but he will in the future. Source? Me, as I am a teen and I know how it feels like. At least I don't get restricted now. If he's trustworthy, why don't you treat him?
I had my first idevice at around 11 years old. The first ipod nano. Then I had the second gen ipod touch at 14 years old then a used 3g, then an iphone 4 in 2010, 4S in 2011, 5 in 2012, 6 in 2014 that's for sure! iPad at 6 years old? lol lucky kids!
My daughter is 9 and she has an iPad mini and a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. She understands the value of them and takes good care. We have parental controls on both devices. My son is 4 and he has a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 and uses it for games/movies and learning. Again we have parental controls on and keep a close eye on how much they are on their devices. I think it is important that this generation are familiar with electronics and gadgets as they are increasingly becoming more prominent within our society and schools for education and learning. My kids love having their own devices instead of having to use my iPad.
In china ,most parents buy iphone or ipad when their kids go to high school or college.People always buy iphone or ipad once they have salary.
I'm 18 and never had an iPad, an iPod touch, or an iPhone. I tried each of them, but never had one, then when I hear kids that have iPads and iPod touches and 14 year old's having iPhones, I felt like my family was poor or something.
Back in my days we had toys, closest thing I'd get to an electronic device was a CD Player.
Back in my days we had cassettes and went outside to ride our bikes.
How young is too young for an iDevice?
I think 13 is the right age for an iPod touch. I had an iPod nano until 13 and then got an iPhone 4 without cell service. Now I have an iPhone 5c and I'm 15
I think 13 is the right age for an iPod touch. I had an iPod nano until 13 and then got an iPhone 4 without cell service. Now I have an iPhone 5c and I'm 15
My first I device was the iPod mini. I think it was called that. It was blue and I was around 16/17 maybe because I remember buying it my self with all my birthday money if I recall right. But I was also working at the time so I could have just saved up.
My first iDevice was when I was thirteen, I believe. It was the iPhone 3GS and iOS 6 and the battery life was poor so my parents bought me an external charger, because they needed to reach me all the time. Now I've got the 4S and I'm happy. I didn't need a phone, I shared an iPad with my little sister and had my own computer, but now that I have my own smartphone I obviously cannot live with it for obvious reasons.
and the battery life was poor so my parents bought me an external charger, because they needed to reach me all the time. Now I've got the 4S and I'm happy. I didn't need a phone, I shared an iPad with my little sister and had my own computer, but now that I have my own smartphone I obviously cannot live with it for obvious reasons.
Elementary Schools and BYoD
Our school district is currently beta testing the Bring Your own Device concept at various schools and are rumored to open it to all schools next year. They have test schools for fourth grade and above. This would equate to 8-9 year olds and older.
Both my kids have been surrounded by computers and tech gadgets since they were infants. They have always got my hand-me-downs. Therefore, they probably had things since they were at least 5 and were consider "theirs."
Today, my boys are 10 and 12. They each have an iPhone, iPad, and laptop (not Apple). They use each items for both school and play.
My 12 year old is in middle school and there is an iPhone app that his Language Arts (LA) teacher uses where she uploads test questions and the kids can use it to study (quizlet maybe). Also, both his math and LA teachers send out reminders about homework assignments and other class notes via text messaging. He is also starting to have to do research papers. I have seen him multiple times with his laptop open and he is typing away, his iPad is open with the research information, and his iPhone open with dictionary.com or something similar.
My younger son uses his iPad mostly for reading, his laptop for occasional writing, and his phone for mostly gaming right now.
They will both be in middle school next year, so they will both have similar needs for their devices. My older son would love a MacBook Air for his birthday in July. Not sure if that will happen.
I guess what I am saying is that education is pushing kids towards technology. I have personally done a research paper on the iPad and their use in the Special Education learning environment. They are amazing, especially when paired with a student who will benefit from that type of learning experience.
Our school district is currently beta testing the Bring Your own Device concept at various schools and are rumored to open it to all schools next year. They have test schools for fourth grade and above. This would equate to 8-9 year olds and older.
Both my kids have been surrounded by computers and tech gadgets since they were infants. They have always got my hand-me-downs. Therefore, they probably had things since they were at least 5 and were consider "theirs."
Today, my boys are 10 and 12. They each have an iPhone, iPad, and laptop (not Apple). They use each items for both school and play.
My 12 year old is in middle school and there is an iPhone app that his Language Arts (LA) teacher uses where she uploads test questions and the kids can use it to study (quizlet maybe). Also, both his math and LA teachers send out reminders about homework assignments and other class notes via text messaging. He is also starting to have to do research papers. I have seen him multiple times with his laptop open and he is typing away, his iPad is open with the research information, and his iPhone open with dictionary.com or something similar.
My younger son uses his iPad mostly for reading, his laptop for occasional writing, and his phone for mostly gaming right now.
They will both be in middle school next year, so they will both have similar needs for their devices. My older son would love a MacBook Air for his birthday in July. Not sure if that will happen.
I guess what I am saying is that education is pushing kids towards technology. I have personally done a research paper on the iPad and their use in the Special Education learning environment. They are amazing, especially when paired with a student who will benefit from that type of learning experience.
Wow, your kids sure are lucky! I think you should get him the MacBook Air, he sounds like he deserves it!
I got my first phone when I was 19.
I got my first iPhone when I was 25.
I got my first iPod when I was 20 or 21.
My parents never paid for any of these
I got my first iPhone when I was 25.
I got my first iPod when I was 20 or 21.
My parents never paid for any of these
I should have added I have bought 3 more, but sold my second one, but I still have three because I replaced the second one with a much better version.
from a finance stand point, they have similar pads made just for toddlers to learn for hundreds less, or if you want to keep up with the jones's but an ipad, my daughter will be 2 in june and she loves watching (123 number counting) on youtube, when ppl talk to her they think she's almost three. pretty smart kid honestly, i also refused to have ppl speak that goo-goo ga-ga crap to her. was actually thinking of getting her an ipod at one point but ill wait til she is atleast 4 or 5
I would disagree. There are certainly digital natives. As a child of the 90s, we had a computer in the house from the time I was 5. My parents have both used computers in their jobs, but I still help my mom with things like Facebook and using her MBP at home. My brother was building gaming PC towers in high school.
Where college kids in the 70s could write a research paper using books and hard copy journals on a typewriter or even handwritten, I'm tied to the internet and the vast number of databases I have access to. I remember the days when we still submitted handwritten assignments, but that was 10 years ago. Kids nowadays will type and submit nearly everything electronically. Common Core doesn't even require teaching cursive, but some states are still opting to.
But while kids these days are more tech-savvy than ever, we can't let it take place of the outdoors and hands-on learning, especially in the early years. Baby Einstein will NOT make your baby smarter. Talking and interacting with them with more than just "goo goo ga ga" is one of the best things you can do. Read stories to them (hard copy or electronic). Play with toys that they can hold in their hands and put in their mouths. Throwing an iPad at your toddler is just as bad as sticking them in front of the TV or the game console.
One thing to be sure of is that even an iPhone with no SIM can still call 911 or whatever your country's emergency number is. Put it in airplane mode with wifi on!
Also, we seriously need to teach the teens and preteens on this forum to stop announcing their ages. It's not safe, and if your post starts with "Lolz!!! I'm 12 and have all the iPhones!!" us old fogies will judge you.
Kids are so spoiled these days i wish I grew up in these times. I would give my kid an ipad when they ask for one. I see vids in youtube and kids as young as 5/6 years old getting iPhones and iPads... Don't blame them tho I would do the same thing.
I got my first phone when I was 19.
I got my first iPhone when I was 25.
I got my first iPod when I was 20 or 21.
My parents never paid for any of these
My parents have never paid for any of my devices either.