Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPod touch New iPod Touch/ iPad for a 5-year old: too much?

Dude, i never started using tech until i was much older than freaking 5! By not using ***** like that at a young age-- I read at college level and i'm 15. Yes, i now own a iPT. I bought it with my own money a year ago. I DO NOT think anyone younger than 12 should own a computer/iDevice. I don't even have a phone or personal computer. Sure, i want a phone. But that doesnt mean i need one. Thats like the little kids with (activated) iPhones, for pete's sake! Lol, thats my 2c. Also, my imagination is very active, and i'm extremely smart. i don't recommend that a kid that age should have/use an iDevice.
//end
 
This is a different culture we are talking about here.

Take a look at what other kids her age have, of the same nationality, if you can. If anything buying it for them young, and teaching them how to use it responsibly is probably better than restricting it from them especially if its helping with education and being used mainly for that purpose. Its amazing how good the iPhone/iPod touch is for kids since there are actually educational games on it for younger age groups. Other devices aimed at kids don't necessarily have educational games that are appropriate for very young children. I am not sure about the iPad though, but if a lot of other kids in the same age group have them, then you might want to get it so your kid will not be left behind. The iPad should probably be more like a family device, if you bought the iPad, then your daughter could just continue using her old iPhone along with the iPad. A new touch seems a little redundant since she already has the iPhone. Perhaps wait until the second gen iPad gets released, it might have a camera for facetime.

American's have the tendency to restrict tech from their kids, which may be bad in the long run, then parents whine when their kids get addicted to something and they can't get their kids away from it probably because when you kept it from them it just creates more desire within the kid to have it. Instead of teaching them how to use tech responsibly from the beginning. Kids always want what they are told they cannot have, then if they get their hands on it which they will, they just want it more and more.
 
Whatever happened to sitting outside all day with a cardboard box, or even just a stick? Jk, jk (but only partly). :)

To tell the truth, I don't really have an educated opinion about whether or not a toddler should have an iPod Touch. I just know I'd probably never go that route.
 
battlekid said:
Dude, i never started using tech until i was much older than freaking 5! By not using ***** like that at a young age-- I read at college level and i'm 15. Yes, i now own a iPT. I bought it with my own money a year ago. I DO NOT think anyone younger than 12 should own a computer/iDevice. I don't even have a phone or personal computer. Sure, i want a phone. But that doesnt mean i need one. Thats like the little kids with (activated) iPhones, for pete's sake! Lol, thats my 2c. Also, my imagination is very active, and i'm extremely smart. i don't recommend that a kid that age should have/use an iDevice.
//end
Click to expand...

Dude, I got a computer at 8 and became fascinated with them. By 13 I started learning C++ and would spend my days building sites and hacking. By 16 I became A+ certified and in high school I was in a the computer academy program and took two years of computer science.

A kid getting something like that is not going to ruin him.
 
The key is supervision, education and setting rules and being actively involved with your kids and the technology you buy for your kids. Any kid can use tech responsibly if they are taught to and supervised while using it. Parents are responsible for doing the research into what tech they are buying for their kids, but most where I live at least just buy them something cause they ask for it and hand it to them and that is the end of it.
 
My 6 year old son has had his own 16gb iPod touch since he was in pre-school.

I got it off Craiglist about two years ago and he has taken very good care of it.

It's my iTunes pass word that I won't be trusting him with any time soon.

Sure it's a toy to him but it's also one of his favorite toys, it's loaded with games, movies, and a few music videos he likes. He uses it all the time and from what I can see most kids his age have no problem figuring out how to use it and would love to have one of there own if only to watch episodes of the Backyardagins and let's not forget Netflix streaming.

As for gaming, many of the games he likes have been free or quite cheep compared to the price of some of the cartridges you buy for Nintendo DS or a PSP - and I don't have to ever worry about him keeping up with games cartridges.

Now when it comes to my iPad he enjoys it also and since I keep it in a protective case I have no problem letting him handle it, it's not any bigger or much heavier than some of his books or other toys. I'll probably give him mine in few years when I decide to upgrade.

I was really glad to learn that the new iPod Touch is not all glass like the iP4 because I will definitely be buying one for my son so that he can enjoy the new camera and face time.

So the way I see it, if you can afford it buy it because your child will never get bored with it no matter how old they get they can choose a zillion games, sync different movies, do face time, Netflix, read books, listen to music and get into photography all from a pocket size device that's made well enough to survive being handled by most kids.
 
I didnt get my first phone till i was 13, and i still to this day dont have an ipod touch... i just turned 16 and with my own money am purchasing a 4th gen.. although something like an ipad would be nice if you load it with learning apps.. i dont think reliance on tech at that age is good.. books are the way to go :)
 
What happened to imagination and reading? That's how I entertained myself.... So, why give them a device that doesn't encourage those two important skills? Cumon, a kid that age needs to go play with some friends or read books. My youngest sister is 6 and can read a bit/play house. Why can't kids these days do that? Eh? Sorry, I'm allergic to bu||*****!
 
For a kid, I'd go with the iPod touch, just a more appropriate device. (Although I think a nintendo device would be more suiting... but maybe that's just because that's what I grew up with)

It's your call as to whether or not you think your daughter is responsible enough to use such a toy. I know some 5 year olds who are very careful with their toys, and I know some 15 year olds who can't hold onto anything for more than a month.

For all of you saying its inappropriate - don't think your own lives are how everyones is/should be. As a kid, I used gameboys a lot... I'm an only child, and my family traveled *a lot* which made socializing with my friends (and cousins) difficult at times. When I was at school of course I'd play with my friends - playing a video game at home or on travel doesn't make me that kid in the corner who keeps to himself.
 
sarmo187 said:
I didnt get my first phone till i was 13, and i still to this day dont have an ipod touch... i just turned 16 and with my own money am purchasing a 4th gen.. although something like an ipad would be nice if you load it with learning apps.. i dont think reliance on tech at that age is good.. books are the way to go :)
Click to expand...

I totally agree! I read at around college level and I'm 15, books are very good, tech isn't so good until around age 12 or so. Maybe 10.
 
Thanks, all for your comments.

As I said before, I'm not worried about my child suddenly becoming socially inept or retarded by using the device. Nor am I worried about an addiction to using the device. I'm not worried that she won't be able to go to a good university or get good grades just because she used a tech gadget when she was younger. My girl does like reading books and writing, and use of the iPhone/ iPod Touch does not diminish that either.

Some of you do make valid points regarding making its use a privilege. We already practice that currently. We do strictly control her use of the device. Of course, we don't intend to let her take it to school or anything.

I'm also not worried that she doesn't get out and about enough. She gets plenty of sunshine, play and exercise.

As for those who are afraid she'll drop it, well, all I can say is she is very careful with it when she uses it. I'm more afraid that she'll leave it lying around in the wrong place than drop it. I already have a case on it but I don't think it'll offer much protection... my wife decided to put 1 of those bejewelled case thingys on it.

And I think someone said asians don't have that "fear of losing out", umm... maybe you don't live in Singapore? There's this thing called "kiasuism" here. You could say I'm infected with it.

In any case, we'll be carrying on with the practice of handing down our old iPhones as and when we upgrade. (Our first) iPad will be a device shared by the family.

Thanks, everyone.:)
 
battlekid said:
I totally agree! I read at around college level and I'm 15, books are very good, tech isn't so good until around age 12 or so. Maybe 10.
Click to expand...

Even though I advocated for the ipod, I agree with this, get her into reading from an early age. When I was younger, I always read a couple chapters of a book before going to bed. Initially this was at the request of my parents, but eventually it was just because I wanted to. I too was reading college level from around 10-12 years. Admittedly I haven't been reading as much as I'd like lately, but iBooks is kind of reverting me ><.

I have some cousins in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, and they can barely read childrens books. The oldest one is reading Harry Potter books - I was reading those comfortably since 2nd grade... The two younger ones are even worse... I don't think I ever had such trouble reading except for when I was still learning how. Don't even get me started on their writing abilities...

These kids have been playing video games all their lives, and they never did anything else. I've had (admittedly older) video games from a young age too, but I was only allowed to play limited amounts. Even then, they were things like Zelda and other RPGs that still require some thinking to beat. My younger cousins otoh play things like Modern Warfare and Halo
 
Im buying a iPod touch because my 2 year old has pretty much completely taken over my iPad. I dont think its crazy, He loves it and he plays with it more then any of his toys and we have a bunch of educational apps on it for him.
 
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! Do not buy your 5 year old an iPod or iPad! For the sake of their mental development... just don't.
 
In 2879,I think A Man Is Going To Buy A New iPad For His Children In His Wife's Stomach :eek:
i Think If You Buy A Used iPod Or iPad Will Be A LOT Better ;)
Don't Waste Your Money For Someone That Knows What's The Difference Between Used And New.
Their Children :p
 
Timechaser said:
My 6 year old son has had his own 16gb iPod touch since he was in pre-school.

I got it off Craiglist about two years ago and he has taken very good care of it.

It's my iTunes pass word that I won't be trusting him with any time soon.

Sure it's a toy to him but it's also one of his favorite toys, it's loaded with games, movies, and a few music videos he likes. He uses it all the time and from what I can see most kids his age have no problem figuring out how to use it and would love to have one of there own if only to watch episodes of the Backyardagins and let's not forget Netflix streaming.

As for gaming, many of the games he likes have been free or quite cheep compared to the price of some of the cartridges you buy for Nintendo DS or a PSP - and I don't have to ever worry about him keeping up with games cartridges.

Now when it comes to my iPad he enjoys it also and since I keep it in a protective case I have no problem letting him handle it, it's not any bigger or much heavier than some of his books or other toys. I'll probably give him mine in few years when I decide to upgrade.

I was really glad to learn that the new iPod Touch is not all glass like the iP4 because I will definitely be buying one for my son so that he can enjoy the new camera and face time.

So the way I see it, if you can afford it buy it because your child will never get bored with it no matter how old they get they can choose a zillion games, sync different movies, do face time, Netflix, read books, listen to music and get into photography all from a pocket size device that's made well enough to survive being handled by most kids.
Click to expand...

You have a good point, kids don't get bored with the iPod, and it never stops being cool once you reach a certain age, like Nintendo devices or other devices on the market. Unfortunately, those become uncool once you hit a certain age plus they are limited in what they can do. Games also cost less and have demo versions (one of the big reasons I am buying iPod for myself). With the iPod you can load new content onto the thing as your kids interests change and he/she grows up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back