Age to let kids have certain electronics?

[descovy]

I've never been a TV in the bedroom kind of person. We have a TV in the living room, and now that the kids are a little older, a TV in the playroom.

That said, my neighbor moved away this month and sold the teens TVs in the garage sale. Why? They don't use them anymore. They watch their programming on tablets, etc... In many families Netflix is the new cable.

So you might consider that TV is becoming the old way to consume entertainment, as youth/families move toward streaming and portability vs big TVs and cable bills.

My family, we have 1 shared laptop, 1 shared ipad, 1 shared kindle. My 2 teens have their own iPhone 4s, my youngest has an iPod touch. Works for us.

 

[aprilchem]

My kids are 5, 7, and 8. They all have iPad minis, I think they got them when they were 3, 5, and 6. They've had a desktop computer since they were 5. We don't watch TV so no chance of it ever being in their rooms. We have an Xbox but only DH and I use it.

I am a scientist and DH is an engineer, so technology is important in our lives. DS8 is already learning to code and has produced a few simply-coded games. DS7 just started to learn programming as well. They're interested in stop-motion video and have been using their iPads to produce short videos using Legos - all great uses of technology, IMO.

 

[Sadie22]

Children who do not have use of a computer at home are at a disadvantage academically in many school systems.

 

[misse336]

I think a lot of this depends on 1 - your budget 2- the area you live/school requirements 3 - your family dynamics 4 - the amount/structure of activities your kids are in.

I have a 10, 7.5 and 5 year old. None of them have a tv in their rooms, but we do have 3 shared tvs. The 10 and 7.5 year old are in school so they aren't allowed to watch tv/play video games M-Th. The 5 year old isn't in school yet so he can watch tv a little in the mornings during the week. None of them have a personal computer/laptop, but we do have 2 laptops and one desktop that they can use for school work. The 10 year old has had a handful of school projects that he needed the computer for ever and the 7.5 year old hasn't had any school projects that he needed the computer for. There is a reading game program that they do at school that they can do at home, but it isn't required or anything - they occasionally log on and do it at home. No iPads/iPods for the kids either, although dh and I each have an ipad/ipod that they are allowed to use pretty frequently.

None of us have any Kindles, but we do have the Kindle app on our iPads.

We have one family cell phone (old model with no texting/data/etc) which I normally carry, but occasionally dh carries. So until dh and I both have a cell phone I don't envision any of the kids having a cell phone.

 

[leebee]

Somewhat For those of you whose elementary school kids are "required" to use a laptop or iPad daily for homework: What about the kids whose families cannot afford this kind of purchase? What do those kids do about getting their homework done?

Purchasing electronics for DD was never a question, as most of them were out of our budget. Our entire Christmas budget for her presents was usually around $300, so no money for expensive electronics.

We got DD a tracfone when she started sophomore year of high school, mostly for my convenience when it was time to pick her up somewhere; I'd ring her phone twice and hang up, and she'd come out to meet me. It was a basic tracfone, and as long as she didn't run out of minutes every month, it was fine. For high school graduation we gave her a laptop as we knew she'd need one for college. She got her slider phone (also a tracfone) for her 18th birthday. It had double (triple?) minutes on it and she stayed within the allotment, but it went a lot further as she could text on it. Now that she is almost 21 and working, she has purchased her own iPhone.

Like a previous poster, I grew up with a TV in my room, and it, too, had a dial for channels 2-13, but only had reception on 4 of those channels! I got my first cell phone- a tracfone- when I was 48. My job was 90 minutes' drive away, out on the coast, across country roads, and my vehicle was 10 years old. I still have/use it. I do not own a laptop; the one I use is actually a machine assigned to me from work. It's nice; I'd never be able to afford a MacBook Air on my own. Our family has a desktop, and DH has several laptops from work, but all are used for specific projects or purposes. We have a big old-style TV in the family room and a small flat screen upstairs in our room. Never any TV in DD's room as there is no cable access in her room.

That's it. Oh, wait, DD has an iPod (music only) that she's had since 7th grade. It still works, so she doesn't see any need to replace it.

 

[aprilgail2]

Somewhat For those of you whose elementary school kids are "required" to use a laptop or iPad daily for homework: What about the kids whose families cannot afford this kind of purchase? What do those kids do about getting their homework done?
.

Those are the kids you see sitting in the library at the public computers here. Only problem is that there is a 1 hour limit so if you don't get everything done in an hour you are in trouble. My daughter has actual tests that they do at home online that count as grades so I would not want her sitting in the library worrying about "is my hour up" while taking a test. She takes photography in school and they need to do work with photoshop - they have a couple computers in the classroom for the kids that don't have photoshop at home but not enough for every kid.

 

[Colleen27]

Somewhat For those of you whose elementary school kids are "required" to use a laptop or iPad daily for homework: What about the kids whose families cannot afford this kind of purchase? What do those kids do about getting their homework done?

The library or after-school hours in the computer lab there. Both have time limits and the computer lab hours conflict with virtually every school sport, club, and activity, but those are the available options.

But generally speaking daily technology requirements or rules about what kids must have at home to support the classroom experience tend to arise primarily in areas affluent enough that the expectation isn't a hardship. That's one of the reasons children from wealthier communities continue to pull away from children in lower income communities even when both communities have a culture that supports and prioritizes education. They're familiar with the tools they'll be working with in the real world from a much earlier age, and start college/work with some experience at prioritizing the important, resisting the distractions technology offers, etc.

ETA: We have a lot of kids at our school who have little or no home access to technology, either because their families don't own computers/tablets/smartphones or because they live in the parts of our district where dial-up and satellite are the only internet options. You do see a lot of kids using the library for projects and papers, and that works because it only becomes necessary for certain specific projects. There is no daily need for technology to complete normal homework. Any attempt to require something like that around here would be met with heavy resistance I'm sure, because it is an expensive and in some cases impractical demand to make of lower income families in a rural area.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Somewhat For those of you whose elementary school kids are "required" to use a laptop or iPad daily for homework: What about the kids whose families cannot afford this kind of purchase? What do those kids do about getting their homework done?

Purchasing electronics for DD was never a question, as most of them were out of our budget. Our entire Christmas budget for her presents was usually around $300, so no money for expensive electronics.

We got DD a tracfone when she started sophomore year of high school, mostly for my convenience when it was time to pick her up somewhere; I'd ring her phone twice and hang up, and she'd come out to meet me. It was a basic tracfone, and as long as she didn't run out of minutes every month, it was fine. For high school graduation we gave her a laptop as we knew she'd need one for college. She got her slider phone (also a tracfone) for her 18th birthday. It had double (triple?) minutes on it and she stayed within the allotment, but it went a lot further as she could text on it. Now that she is almost 21 and working, she has purchased her own iPhone.

Like a previous poster, I grew up with a TV in my room, and it, too, had a dial for channels 2-13, but only had reception on 4 of those channels! I got my first cell phone- a tracfone- when I was 48. My job was 90 minutes' drive away, out on the coast, across country roads, and my vehicle was 10 years old. I still have/use it. I do not own a laptop; the one I use is actually a machine assigned to me from work. It's nice; I'd never be able to afford a MacBook Air on my own. Our family has a desktop, and DH has several laptops from work, but all are used for specific projects or purposes. We have a big old-style TV in the family room and a small flat screen upstairs in our room. Never any TV in DD's room as there is no cable access in her room.

That's it. Oh, wait, DD has an iPod (music only) that she's had since 7th grade. It still works, so she doesn't see any need to replace it.

The public library in town or in the school library after school and you take the late bus home.

In our district it isn't required for everyday homework but having a lap top helps a lot with homework. Especially for DS14. He uses it almost daily while doing homework.

 

[richmo]

I didn't read all the replies, but here's our experience:

1. laptop or computer
We have a desktop computer in the kitchen that is for everyone to share. I also have a laptop in a spare bedroom that isn't used very frequently anymore. We didn't buy a specific computer for either of our kids until after high school graduation, at which time my daughter went for a Mac. The computer in the house is idle enough that there has been plenty of time for the kids to use it for homework, Facebook, etc. We certainly don't stare at what they're doing all the time, but having it in the heart of the house does act as a kind of deterrent. Plus I use OpenDNS to filter out some websites, but it hasn't really been an issue. My opinion is that if you go with a laptop in her bedroom, you will see less of your daughter.

2. cell phone
This varies widely depending upon your daughters activities. If she frequently needs rides and needs to call you, it can save you a lot of time sitting in school parking lots. My answer is, if giving her a cell phone is convenient for YOU, then its worth it. Otherwise, I'd hold off. High school is probably about right, maybe late middle/jr. high. Many schools, especially high schools, are going to "bring your own device" where, in some circumstances, they can look things up on the internet, etc. Then a smartphone might be necessary. Otherwise, giving them a smartphone is almost like giving a laptop...they'll be on it all the time, unless you set limits.

3. tv

We never gave in to giving them their own TV. Again, once you do that, you will see less of them. We have one TV in our den, which is used 90 percent of the time. We also have one in the basement that also has an Xbox 360 attached. My son especially likes to go down there and play, but we've always had the rule of no school nights, or after school. Just weekends. The kids are welcome to watch tv down there too, but usually they don't unless friends are over.

 

[kamik86]

So DD who will be getting close to 9 at Christmas has made her list for Santa. It includes:
1. laptop or computer
2. cell phone
3. tv
and then a few toys under those main items. I basically took one look and told her she was too young for any of those things and that Santa brought toys, not electronics so she needed to revise her list.

This kid has a mini ipad from Walmart black Friday that her grandparents gave her for Christmas last year and she has taken excellent care of it and uses it quite a bit. Being the negotiator she is, after my rejection, she immediately launched in on how she "needs" a laptop or computer because she can not get on the school recommended websites to do math and other things because her dad is always on our home computer, and that her ipad is not good enough for that because she needs a full real keyboard, and a mouse, and also needs a bigger screen that sits upright to mimic the ones at school. Also, her other grandmother is repeatedly reminding me that I got my own tv when I was 8.

So, am I being too harsh? Should I let her have her own computer/laptop or tv? While I am second guessing myself on those, I'm still standing firm on no phone. Thoughts? How old were your kids when you let them have these things?

I didn't read all the comments but my thoughts:
Laptop: The age when they are able to be responsible enough not to ruin a laptop by leaving it where it will be stepped on, dropping it, losing it, spilling stuff on it etc. Different for each kid. Even after this may wait until they actually need it for school. But honestly even if they needed one for school I would not let them have their own if they didn't meet the above responsibility. I would buy Dad a new laptop and let them use the old home computer.

Phone: Age at which they can take care of it (see above), not lose it, and be trusted not to do anything that would rack up a huge bill (so older then laptop as its easy to lose something that they would have to bring out of the house most of the time, and probably a dumb phone first as its harder to rack up a bill on those). Again probably wait until their was a need for it. I got my first phone for my mom's convenience not mine. I was doing a sport that was hard to predict when I would get home in high school. With a cell I could call on the way home and she would leave to get me. Otherwise she had to guess and sometimes got stuck waiting for me for a long time. Then again that was before everyone had phones and before phones played games or did things besides call people.

TV: Honestly this one I could see from pretty young. I don't know when I got mine... really young though probably when I first got bunk beds with my older sister as that meant hers was in our room and I could use it to... which would have been like 4. So I would go with age at which they will go to bed and not watch it all night. I would assume this would be before 9. However on this Christmas list she seems to have a much better reason for the laptop so if she would be responsible for it I would get her that. Then again I don't even have cable to my laptop does every function my TV does besides let multiple people easily watch the same thing at the same time.
TV:

 

[HM]

1. laptop or computer -14 (HS)
2. cell phone -14 (HS) (or MS if they are in a sport/afterschool activity and need to contact you)
3. tv -NEVER

OP-
let your kid be a kid
get her toys and clothes and experiences for Christmas, not electronics

 

[4shinystars]

Oldest DD got a cell phone at 16, younger DD at 14. They had iPods starting around jr high, high school. We have one television in the house. One desktop computer that we all share. Older DD got her Macbook Pro with her HS graduation $$ and savings (used it all through college and it's still running great 6 years later). Younger DD got a laptop at 16.
Guess we are part of the minority here,lol.

 

[tvguy]

Children who do not have use of a computer at home are at a disadvantage academically in many school systems.

My kids always had access to the desk top computer in the family room, where they were in plain view. Same with TV. We did have a second TV in the living room so one room could be the TV room and the other the homework room. And we did buy a laptop for my wife when our oldest hit high school, so there were always 2 computers available for our 2 kids

 

[TravelMommy]

All our kids had cell phones since 1st-2nd grade, all had their own tablets as preschoolers and laptops in elementary, they have used them responsibly, with parental guidance and need/needed them often for homework. I think they all have had TV's in their rooms for ages, they barely use them. I think one hasn't turned the t.v. on in their room in the past 3 years. I like them having a phone in case of emergency. They get toys for birthday/holidays, enjoy sports/activities, etc. They are not on these electronics 24/7, like some of their friends. I wonder if this is a regional thing/NE as my kids are in the minority with tracphones as most of their classmates have iphones!

 

[aprilgail2]

. . Many schools, especially high schools, are going to "bring your own device" where, in some circumstances, they can look things up on the internet, etc. Then a smartphone might be necessary. r.

We had that issue last year-the teacher would tell them to look something up in class and the few kids that didn't have smart phones would have to be borrowing other kids phones to look things up. My issue is some kid borrows my daughters iPhone and drops it - now we are screwed.

 

[JaimeA]

In our district 90% of homework is done electronically. The kids are also encouraged to use their smartphones in class. A few teachers have youtube channels that show their lessons and how to do math problems.
My kids take a picture of the lesson board for homework or other info the teacher feels is relevant.

My DH and I both work in the technology field. My kids have all electronics, my youngest is 12 though.

My kids always had TVs in their rooms and I can't remember the last time they turned them on. They much rather use the large den tv then their own.

Every child and parent are different, what one child can handle responsibly another might now. It really is a personal choice.

 

[I M Fearless]

My experience of an almost 9 year old has been:

- COMPUTER is shared, with the following rules in place which she has to regulate herself - only used in the lounge, between certain times of day, when homework has been completed, with permission asked each time for certain websites, such as Roblox or where interaction with others is possible. I make sure that I know exactly what she is doing and why. I would not be happy for any child to have a computer in their room as it is quite isolating.

- CELL PHONE has recently been introduced for a number of reasons... I want to teach and assist her to use the phone safely and properly before she is let loose with it as a teenager. At present it has only a handful of contacts. Cannot be used for the internet/email etc. Will only allow calls/sms to and from the contacts. Basically I want the phone for occasional times when she is left at home for 15 minutes while I nip to the store or if we split up when out somewhere. I also want to make sure that if there was an emergency she could call for help if I was unable to do so. The phone is a Blackberry 9900 which is identical to mine, so I know she could easily use mine if we were out. Basically, I charge her phone, it is kept downstairs and she only uses it when instructed, gradually over the next 2 years I imagine she will take more responsibility for it and I will gradually allow her more freedom to use it with less restrictions. However, this will very much depend on how she gets on. My aim is that by age 12 I will be confident that she can own, use and be responsible with a phone and I feel the best way to get to that point is to teach her early how to use it safely. I would not want her calling her friends any time soon! My bill is bad enough!

- TV she has a VCR in her room which she has never shown any interest in watching. She probably asks for it once a year if that! She would much rather watch TV downstairs, which is fine as I am fully aware of what she is watching.

I think so much depends on the child and the individual needs of the family. I think all technology is a blessing and rarely causes problems provided everyone knows what the rules are.

 

[SEA333]

So, you are pretty much talking about a 8 year old at Christmas. I am assuming she is in 3rd grade?

My answers below for my kids, who are now 14, 10, and 8 (9th, 5th, and 3rd grades):

So DD who will be getting close to 9 at Christmas has made her list for Santa. It includes:

1. laptop or computer - I have my work laptop that I bring home every night, DH usually uses his gigantic Note3 phone for internet, and we have a "family" laptop that the kids use for their homework. My work laptop is the backup if two kids need the computer at once. We are buying the kids a used netbook as the backup so they will never have to use my work laptop.

2. cell phone - DS14 got his first when he was in 6th grade because that was the first year he came home alone after school and we didn't have a landline. DD got an old, used $30 IPhone at age 9, but it doesn't have service other than our wireless at home. She will get a "real" phone with service next year in 6th grade. She comes home after school now, but older brother is in and out and we have a landline now.

3. tv - each kid got a $75 TV last year for their rooms.
and then a few toys under those main items. I basically took one look and told her she was too young for any of those things and that Santa brought toys, not electronics so she needed to revise her list.

This kid has a mini ipad from Walmart black Friday that her grandparents gave her for Christmas last year and she has taken excellent care of it and uses it quite a bit. Being the negotiator she is, after my rejection, she immediately launched in on how she "needs" a laptop or computer because she can not get on the school recommended websites to do math and other things because her dad is always on our home computer, and that her ipad is not good enough for that because she needs a full real keyboard, and a mouse, and also needs a bigger screen that sits upright to mimic the ones at school. Also, her other grandmother is repeatedly reminding me that I got my own tv when I was 8.

So, am I being too harsh? Should I let her have her own computer/laptop or tv? While I am second guessing myself on those, I'm still standing firm on no phone. Thoughts? How old were your kids when you let them have these things?

ETA: I just realized that I didn't even put anything for DS8 in the cell phone category. That is because we have no intention of getting him a cell phone any time in the next 3 years. So, I guess there is my answer for you!! LOL

 

[HM]

One other thought for you OP:
If you start buying her these types of things for presents now, what in the world will you buy her when she gets older and toys aren't an option? Start slow with electronics. If she already has an iPad mini, then she's ahead of where my kids were at her age. It could seem like the easy thing to do now, but create complications in a few years.

 

[aprilgail2]

One other thought for you OP: If you start buying her these types of things for presents now, what in the world will you buy her when she gets older and toys aren't an option? Start slow with electronics. If she already has an iPad mini, then she's ahead of where my kids were at her age. It could seem like the easy thing to do now, but create complications in a few years.

I always hear thst argument but there are always newer things out on the market and this year all my daughter wants is clothes clothes and clothes and shoes- so it's not like you don't have anything to buy them when they are older- next year when she turns 16 I am sure her list will be a bunch of stuff for her car.