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iPod touch Is a 9yo to young for an ipod touch???

S

shawhoops

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 17, 2009
6
0
My son's birthday is tomorrow, he will be 9. He's been asking for an ipod touch since last Christmas. When I bought my palm pre in June I gave him my 1st gen ipod nano. Since then he hardly puts it down, the earbuds seem to have been surgically embedded in his ears. But he says it's boring because all he can play is solitaire and he can't watch any movies or videos.
He's pretty good with technology - he shows me things my pre can do all the time that I had no idea. But he's not the most responsible kid when it comes to taking care of things. (to give him some credit, he has had his psp since his 4th or 5th birthday and it still works, although MANY games have been destroyed)
How fragile is the ipod touch? Just looking for other people's opinions, on how young is too young. I can't afford to purchase something this pricey if it will be broken in a week.
Thanks!!
 
Honestly, when I read the title I was already thinking 'no', and then when I read the post, I really don't think your son is ready for this yet. What is a 9 year old going to do with an iPod touch?! He's still in elementary school. Not to mention, the thing is very fragile especially for someone like that. I just don't think he's ready yet, an iPod Touch wouldn't be a good gift.

I think you should get him a 4th generation iPod nano, or wait till September and get him a 5th generation. That could play music and movies.
 
i THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD GIFT AS LONG AS YOU MAKE SURE HES RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE HIM DESERVE IT. TELL HIM THAT IF HE DROPS IT YOULL TAKE IT AWAY OR WONT BUY A NEW ONE, AND THAT WEN HE MISBEHAVES, BYE BYE IPOD. BUT TEST HIM OUT. BUY IT AND IF HES NOT RESPONSIBLE DOESNT USE OR DOESNT DESERVE IT, TAKE IT AWAY!
 
geoman92 said:
i THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD GIFT AS LONG AS YOU MAKE SURE HES RESPONSIBLE AND MAKE HIM DESERVE IT. TELL HIM THAT IF HE DROPS IT YOULL TAKE IT AWAY OR WONT BUY A NEW ONE, AND THAT WEN HE MISBEHAVES, BYE BYE IPOD. BUT TEST HIM OUT. BUY IT AND IF HES NOT RESPONSIBLE DOESNT USE OR DOESNT DESERVE IT, TAKE IT AWAY!
Click to expand...

What the heck will he do with it if he takes it away? Just leave it hidden lying around the house? I think that's a waste of money.

BTW, you should have thought about your son's gift much earlier!
 
My 3 year old uses my 2G iPhone that I no longer need after getting my 3GS.

She only uses it at home and in the car.
 
You will get a lot of different opinions on this subject.

You already said your son is mature for his age and has taken good care of previous tech toys he's received. You know him best. If he's already proven a reasonable level of responsibility, an iPod Touch is no different than an iPod nano or PSP when it comes to taking care of portable technology.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested getting a case. There are good heavy plastic ones that will help protect the screen if it's dropped.

If you are still unsure about giving him something as expensive as an iPod Touch for fear he will not care take care of it well enough, I suggest having him pay a bit towards it. If it's his own money on the line, that may make him pay even better attention to it.

When you do finally get him one, before giving it to him, spend some time with it to set up the Parental Controls. There's at least 1 thread here on the forums that discusses parental controls and how to set them up.

Good luck!
 
pilotrtc said:
You already said your son is mature for his age and has taken good care of previous tech toys he's received. You know him best. If he's already proven a reasonable level of responsibility, an iPod Touch is no different than an iPod nano or PSP when it comes to taking care of portable technology.
Click to expand...
He said his son was irresponsible when it comes to taking care of his things.
 
Thanks for all the responses so far!!!!

armoguy94 said:
BTW, you should have thought about your son's gift much earlier!
Click to expand...

I have been going back & forth over this for a month!!! Today is the day I have to decide if I go to the Apple store for the touch or the game store for some Wii or PS3 games. Just looking for some input from people who have the ipod touch.
 
shawhoops said:
Thanks for all the responses so far!!!!



I have been going back & forth over this for a month!!! Today is the day I have to decide if I go to the Apple store for the touch or the game store for some Wii or PS3 games. Just looking for some input from people who have the ipod touch.
Click to expand...

I have an iTouch 1G, and there isn't much a 9 year old would need. I remember when I got the iTouch a while back ago, I didn't like it because all I wanted was music and movies, and I was used to the normal scrollwheel iPods. I didn't see the point in the iTouch, and I still don't really see it now either I just like because of WiFi.
 
Not yet

I would get him just a little gift. Then promise him in a few months, after the update, you will buy it for him as soon as possible. Because i'm guessing he will want the new one as soon as it comes out.
 
My daughter is 6 yrs old and we just bought her an ipod touch 2G. We decided that an iPod Touch is a better alternative to the Nintendo DS. I control all the music/movies and apps that are loaded ... Just make sure you get a good case and headphone... :)
 
armoguy94 said:
I have an iTouch 1G, and there isn't much a 9 year old would need. I remember when I got the iTouch a while back ago, I didn't like it because all I wanted was music and movies, and I was used to the normal scrollwheel iPods. I didn't see the point in the iTouch, and I still don't really see it now either I just like because of WiFi.
Click to expand...

I think he really wants access to the app store, although I'm not sure he really KNOWS what's in there, he thinks a lot of games.
The WiFi is another reason he wants the iTouch, although his psp has WiFi. I have about 5 more hours of work today, I'll figure it out before then! LOL
BTW - i just found an 8GB 2nd Gen on craigslist for $80, so i might have made my decision!
 
armoguy94 said:
What the heck will he do with it if he takes it away? Just leave it hidden lying around the house? I think that's a waste of money.

BTW, you should have thought about your son's gift much earlier!
Click to expand...

he can use or sell it. besides i dont mean take it away for ever.
 
As far as the safety of the device, my 1G Touch has held up pretty well, and I've dropped it on pavement a few times, one time left it with a dent on the side and another left the metal pushed out a little bit, but it still works fine and the screen is perfect. Mind you I don't use a case either.

Now I personally take issue with spending so much on a 9yr old, I wouldn't do it with my child(though I wouldn't think you're a bad parent for doing so either). My parents always made my siblings and I sort of earn nicer presents like that. For me I always had poor handwriting(and in elementary school there was an attached grade). So I would often find them asking me to improve my grade in order to get the #1 thing I wanted. My handwriting still isn't great but I look back and appreciate their attempts at helping me improve on my weaknesses.
 
shawhoops said:
I think he really wants access to the app store, although I'm not sure he really KNOWS what's in there, he thinks a lot of games.
The WiFi is another reason he wants the iTouch, although his psp has WiFi. I have about 5 more hours of work today, I'll figure it out before then! LOL
BTW - i just found an 8GB 2nd Gen on craigslist for $80, so i might have made my decision!
Click to expand...
$80 is a great deal. If it's that cheap, then I say go for it, as long as you make it clear to him this is the last straw if you break this then no more tech stuff for him for a while!

geoman92 said:
he can use or sell it. besides i dont mean take it away for ever.
Click to expand...
you don't just use or sell a birthday present you bought for your son.
 
I had my first gen iPod Touch since January 08 up until last week when I bought my 3GS.
My iPod goes everywhere with me everyday and has traveled 1000's of miles with me. I have not used a case and it has been dropped, thrown in my bag and generally had a pretty rough ride. Everything works fine, there is a few dings in the metal surround and 2 very small scratches on the screen that are not noticeable when the iPod is turned on. The touch is a very solidly built device more so than the psp which I also own.
There is a lot there to keep him entertained with many good quality free apps including games and of course Youtube and the ability to watch movies which he wants.
There are plenty of cases and covers to help protect the screen and the exterior.
You should be able to pick one up at a good price because Apple was giving them away to students who brought a Mac and for those who already had an iPod have chosen to sell the free iPod.
You know him best and should decide if you can give him an opportunity to prove that he can look after the gadget that he wants so much.
 
pilotrtc said:
You will get a lot of different opinions on this subject.

You already said your son is mature for his age and has taken good care of previous tech toys he's received. You know him best. If he's already proven a reasonable level of responsibility, an iPod Touch is no different than an iPod nano or PSP when it comes to taking care of portable technology.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested getting a case. There are good heavy plastic ones that will help protect the screen if it's dropped.

If you are still unsure about giving him something as expensive as an iPod Touch for fear he will not care take care of it well enough, I suggest having him pay a bit towards it. If it's his own money on the line, that may make him pay even better attention to it.

When you do finally get him one, before giving it to him, spend some time with it to set up the Parental Controls. There's at least 1 thread here on the forums that discusses parental controls and how to set them up.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

+1

I have a 9 yr old nephew who's been into electronics and games. When he got his Touch, he totally forgot about his PSP and DS (which were promptly sold to help defray the cost of the Touch). He knows the value of his new machine and takes care of it. As pilotrtc says, though, I'd hedge my bets with a good wrap-around case. Ditto with the advise of setting it up correctly (parental controls, iTunes limits, etc.). And, he has to be made aware that it is a privilege to get one...

Good luck on whatever you finally decide!
 
GI Joe?

Get him something fitting for a 9y/o boy, like a bb gun!

But seriously, if you are considering something like an iPod Touch, I would suggest getting him an old mac with photoshop installed on it, or something more productive and creative than an ipod.

My parents would never give me ANY gift that I could not use to create or learn. I hated them for it when I had to go to a friends house to play sega- because I was stuck with a grip of tinkertoys or whatever, but in retrospect I am very grateful. (And I appreciate my 360 that much more now :D)
 
armoguy94 said:
$80 is a great deal. If it's that cheap, then I say go for it, as long as you make it clear to him this is the last straw if you break this then no more tech stuff for him for a while!

you don't just use or sell a birthday present you bought for your son.
Click to expand...

i just meant to make his kid want to work hard for his ipod. its a want not a need
 
An iPod Touch for a 9-year old's birthday. When I turned nine I think I got a basketball and a GI Joe set.

My have times changed!

Odds are it won't survive for more than a few months at most. As careful as he may be, he's 9 years old with 9-year old friends. If any of his friends have a chance to handle it it increases the chances that someday it will drop to the ground. I have two Touch's and I think they are just a bit too fragile for someone that age.

He already has an iPod as you said, so he's fine. Use this as a lesson to him that you cannot always get what you want, and that a Touch is still a bit too "grown up" for a 9 year old.

There are a lot of other nice gadgets out there you can buy him that are not as expensive nor fragile. I think that's your best bet.

Mike
 
DuckSoup hit the nail on the head.

I can't believe that this is a serious question. Is 9-years old the new teenager? You owe your son the benefit of not being plugged in like a little adult & of having something to look forward to at this age. You say that he already has a PSP so it's not as if he's been deprived of having modern gadgets/toys. Also, kids lose things and some kids steal; you may well never see the Shiny New Toy again if he ever lays it down somewhere, even for a minute.

When my son was 9 he was happy to have a PC to use at school. He was busy with other things at home. He's an artist and a musician, graduating from college in two weeks. Your best investment in your child's future is to encourage him to use his own imagination, not to spend his free time with an expensive product that clearly was not made for children. Remind him that he's a kid. He'll groan and roll his eyes but that's okay. :)

I was a school librarian so I have an interest in kids developing their minds & bodies in areas other than what Advertising says.

Just my
twocents.gif
. Keep the change. ;)
 
armoguy94 said:
He said his son was irresponsible when it comes to taking care of his things.
Click to expand...

True.

But I thought that since the child's PSP was in good shape that was an indication that the child will care for technology. Since I'm not that familiar with the games that are available, I'm not sure how to interpret the damaged games.

You may have a point.

My mother always taught me: If you have to think about it, don't get it. Maybe that applies here?
 
lelisa13p said:
DuckSoup hit the nail on the head.

I can't believe that this is a serious question. Is 9-years old the new teenager? You owe your son the benefit of not being plugged in like a little adult & of having something to look forward to at this age. You say that he already has a PSP so it's not as if he's been deprived of having modern gadgets/toys. Also, kids lose things and some kids steal; you may well never see the Shiny New Toy again if he ever lays it down somewhere, even for a minute.

When my son was 9 he was happy to have a PC to use at school. He was busy with other things at home. He's an artist and a musician, graduating from college in two weeks. Your best investment in your child's future is to encourage him to use his own imagination, not to spend his free time with an expensive product that clearly was not made for children. Remind him that he's a kid. He'll groan and roll his eyes but that's okay. :)

I was a school librarian so I have an interest in kids developing their minds & bodies in areas other than what Advertising says.

Just my
twocents.gif
. Keep the change. ;)
Click to expand...

I appreciate yours and everyone else's advice, opinions & info on the ipod touch. I have decided if the $80 craigslist itouch is in good shape i will buy it for him. If not he'll get some wii or ps3, or psp games. He will be very appreciative & LOVE whatever we get him, that's just how he his.
And just so I don't sound like the crazy parent who gets their kid whatever they want...We do try to get him one gift that he REALLY wants for his birthday & for christmas. He doesnt get everything he wants whenever he wants it. He's a really smart & imaginative kid who attends an elementary school that is exclusively for gifted and talented kids, and gets straight A's. He reads almost everyday and he plays 5 organized sports and really excels at 2 of them. He's very well rounded, but he has a huge interest in computers and techie gadgets. He loves music, but really is not musically inclined.
So, thanks for again for all the posts. Like I said if I can only spend $80 for an itouch i'll do it, if not whatever we get him will be just fine!!!
 
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