Age to let kids have certain electronics?

[JanaDee]

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

1) DS17 got his first laptop when he was a freshman in high school. All the kids in high school have Chromebooks. Since it is a school computer, I'm not to worried about what is on there.

DD13 will get her first laptop when she is a freshman, just like her brother did. She has an ipad mini that works for internet and we have a desktop she can use if she needs to type, etc.

2)DS got his first cell phone at 12 and DD got hers at 11. DS got data when he was 15 at the same time I got a smartphone. DD had a dumb phone for a year before she was upgraded to an iphone with data.

3) No TV's allowed in the bedrooms. I don't care how old they are.

 

[snoopy5386]

My DD will be 9 in the spring, she has no need or desire to have any of those. I have a nook HD that the kids can use at any time, she uses it mostly to stream netflix in the kitchen while snacking since I banned them from eating in the living room. She has needed a computer to do homework once or twice ever and we have 2 of those she can use if she needs them. We don't have cable so getting her own tv wouldn't get her very far. I'm confused by the people who say their kids already have kindle fires and are getting iPads. Why? Doesn't the fire do mostly the same thing?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My DS14 also has a PS3 and a PS4 that he had to have this past Christmas. He does to touch it. It's in the living room and SO will play Madden once a week.

He also got the flat screen because I was tired of sharing my tv for video games. Dd got his old tv at this point.

He isn't allowed any video games Monday - Thursday and us actually outside at the park with friends. DD is outside with friends too.

Luckily they aren't addicted to their systems.

 

[mistysue]

DD got a laptop in kindergarten. She has homework that requires it every day.

We have a TV in her room but she does not have a phone. I needed to type papers by middle school, I would get a computer she could use when school requires it and the phone when she starts being places without you.

Don't you think she is going to question when Santa brings electronics to all her friends?

 

[msmama]

Get her a case for her mini with a kick stand, and a $35 bluetooth keyboard from OfficeMax, presto, she's all set up. A mouse isn't really necessary, they can still tap with a finger, and even with a mouse she still has to remove a hand from the keyboard, so there's no difference between the tap and the click.

This. I actually just got an awesome Logitech keyboard and prop up my ipad and it works great!!

My 1st grader has my old ipad with only Mom approved apps on it. When my old laptop was coming to the end of it's life, I upgraded to a desktop (and have said laptop set up as a desktop) that he can use, if necessary.

He types sometimes (he has terrible fine motor skills and writing is really hard for him) instead of writing but that is definitely considered a "family" computer.

Honestly, if it were me and she really needed the computer for homework, I'd kick Dad off!!

 

[smitch425]

My DD will be 9 in the spring, she has no need or desire to have any of those. I have a nook HD that the kids can use at any time, she uses it mostly to stream netflix in the kitchen while snacking since I banned them from eating in the living room. She has needed a computer to do homework once or twice ever and we have 2 of those she can use if she needs them. We don't have cable so getting her own tv wouldn't get her very far. I'm confused by the people who say their kids already have kindle fires and are getting iPads. Why? Doesn't the fire do mostly the same thing?

Our Kindle Fire was the first generation and it barely charged up after the warranty ran out. Compared to their iPad minis, the first gen Fire was junk.

ETA: We travel a lot (all of our family lives hours away), and attend sporting events (several hours away), so many of their smaller electronics are because of that.

 

[MrsPete]

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.

Is Dad just surfing the net? Let him use the tablet while your daughter uses the full-sized keyboard model. First-world problem solved.

Personally, we've chosen to go slowly with the electronics, feeling that kids play with them to the exclusion of other things -- and it's not an advantage in any way. It's too easy to see "too much", and once a child's innocence is gone, it's gone. My students today are much, much "more worldly" than were the ones I taught when I first started teaching in the 90s -- and it's a bad thing.

- We gave them cell phones when they started middle school, which was pretty typical of their friends. We still don't do smart phones.

- All their lives we've had one family computer in a very visible, public spot in the house, and we've still had some minor troubles with kids seeing things they shouldn't. I can't imagine how bad this could've become if they had unlimited use in their own rooms.

- We gave each kid a laptop (for college) for Christmas of their senior year. For our kids, this made them 17 1/2 -- almost an adult -- and at that point we stopped policing their internet use.

- We now have two iPads, but we limit the kids' time /don't allow them to disappear into bedrooms with them. IPads weren't "a thing" when our kids were small, but I suspect this -- by nature of their portable size -- is the biggest issue for parents of small children these days.

- We have never allowed TVs in bedrooms. TV is a family activity, and I want to be involved in what the kids are doing /watching. We don't have movie channels on our TV; again, it's about not bringing trash into the house.

I feel like not having the tv helped me to develop my love of reading,if I wasn't ready to sleep I had to read.

Yes, my kids both LOVE to read -- always have, and I do think that a low-electronics diet has helped to develop that love.

 

[drcmk]

My kids got cell phones when the were in seventh grade, so I could communicate with them when I needed to.

They got iPads when they were fourteen or fifteen (but that is when the iPad minis were introduced)

My eldest got a laptop of her own to go to college.

Neither kid has a television. Although they use iPads and phones to watch Netflix or other shows. We only have televisions in our family room and den at home, not bedrooms.

 

[Kristie911]

My DS got an iPad when he was 7 but only because he won it. We got a Kindle Fire for Christmas and everyone uses it. DS is 10 and has hinted at wanting a cellphone and I keep saying no...but I'm starting to think he might get one for Christmas. Only because when he is at his dads I can't get a hold of him because they don't have a house phone. So I end up calling around to see who he is with, dad, stepmom, grandma, grandpa...and it's very frustrating!! If he does get one it will text and call but no data...probably prepaid.

Kids don't have tv's in their rooms, never will...I don't believe the bedroom is an appropriate place for a tv. We have one upstairs and one downstairs and that's enough. The kids can stream some stuff on their tablets if they don't like what's on.

 

[scdak]

Just thought everyone would like a laugh tonight so here goes

I got my first TV in 5th grade - black and white with a turn dial for channel 2-13 (I think) and UHF, and that was the same TV I took to my first apartment at age 24, the dial was painted with pink nailpolish with the numbers etched in it although I am not sure why the numbers wore off, I rarely used it because I would rather read I think I just put the pink nail polish on it to make it cute!

My first cell phone was at age 41.....that is NOT a typo, and I only was given it then as a gift because I was traveling a lot and needed it. Fast forward 13 years and I am on my 3rd phone and its a dumb phone I daresay not many people have had a total of 3 phones in 13 years!

I got my first laptop 3 years ago, and only because a family member died (it had never been used) and I asked if I could have it since my father would never have used it.

And I bought myself a Kindle Fire HD in May 2013 - thinking I might "like it" but also thinking that I would rarely use it since I like real books plus when I travel there was so much time that I couldn't use it on the plane(that ban is over) so I would have to carry a book with me anyway.........little did I know that I would LOVE it and feel lost without it, in fact I left it at a friends house last week when I visited her and when I got home (700 miles away) I realized it............so it arrived in the mail today because I was so lost without it that my friend felt sorry for me and didn't want me to have to wait 2 more weeks until she visits me That little, sweet Kindle is so loved - nothing beats laying in bed in the middle of the night surfing the web, making travel plans, shopping online, paying bills etc

Now back to the regularly scheduled discussion, and the OP daughter should be very happy to know that she stands a chance of at least receiving some of her requests this year for Christmas instead of when I got some of them

 

[wenrob]

My DD will be 9 in the spring, she has no need or desire to have any of those. I have a nook HD that the kids can use at any time, she uses it mostly to stream netflix in the kitchen while snacking since I banned them from eating in the living room. She has needed a computer to do homework once or twice ever and we have 2 of those she can use if she needs them. We don't have cable so getting her own tv wouldn't get her very far. I'm confused by the people who say their kids already have kindle fires and are getting iPads. Why? Doesn't the fire do mostly the same thing?

Most people who have not used both would say yes, I personally say no. The function is just not up to par IMO, the apps on Amazon are really lacking compared to Apple and the Kindles just are not as hearty as iPads. I am constantly fighting the Kindles, rebooting after crashes every single day at least once but usually multiple times and getting them to take a charge is a miracle. Last we as a family are pretty tied to the Apple eco system. Ninety percent of our digital content is in iTunes, the other ten percent is Kindle books and there's an app for that. It will be easier for me to manage and knowing that every apple product I own since the first iPod is still kicking, I feel confident these will last far longer than the less than two years they've had the Kindles.

Our Kindle Fire was the first generation and it barely charged up after the warranty ran out. Compared to their iPad minis, the first gen Fire was junk.

ETA: We travel a lot (all of our family lives hours away), and attend sporting events (several hours away), so many of their smaller electronics are because of that.

Sounds like the Kindle HDs are no better. Both of mine were replaced right before the one year warranty and I am trying to keep them limping along until their birthday (Nov. 30th) or Christmas.

 

[skysmom99]

We have a family laptop that all 3 kids use. DD got a basic cell phone just before entering 8th grade. She now has an iPhone 5 that she bought with money she earned babysitting. She had an iPod touch that she bought with saved birthday money. She gave that to her youngest brother when she got the new phone. She also has a Kindle Fire that she bought DS 12 bought his own iPod also. He will get a basic cell phone next summer if he wants one. Both kids play sports for the school (DD plays all 3 seasons) so they are on buses to far away games that we can't always attend.
DS 8 has the hand-me-down iPod and uses the family laptop.

I'll pay for the basic phone when I feel they need one, but extra "wants" are up to them.

 

[disney1990]

I don't know where most people that are posting live, but where we are, access to a computer is necessary almost every night in order to do homework. Those kids without a computer connected to the internet, usually have to stay after school to use the computer lab. I can see the need for more than an iPad, because it is difficult to do a paper on an iPad.

I am a crossing guard in Maryland and most of the kids I cross that are in 3rd grade (8 years) and older now have working cellphones. They leave their house to walk to school, when they get to my corner, they call to their parents to tell them where they are and then they do the same thing when they finally get to school. I really think this question depends on what the child needs the computer for and what is expected of them from school.

 

[kuhltiffany]

My kids are 9 and 10. They share a Chromebook (that's what I would get your daughter). It's so handy and all kids that age really need. The teachers here do give homework online and have things in files the kids need to access...

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We have a family desktop that the kids have used for homework. Until recently, if they both needed a computer at the same time, one used my laptop. DD15 needed a laptop for an AP class she took last year, so she got a basic one. She also got a TV for her fifteenth birthday because she has shown us that she can go to bed when we ask her to and not stay up late watching Netflix.

Both DDs got a cell phone when they entered middle school. My kids are in different schools (middle and high) and get out at the same time - sometimes I need to text one or the other if I am delayed.

Your family's needs might be different - that's okay.

 

[3Gsandme]

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 haven't read the responses, but all of those things are a no at my house at her age. I would probably consider the TV if she really ended up not having much of a list. I don't see any reason in the world for a 9 year old to have a cell phone unless she's frequently doing activities (dance, sport) where you're dropping her off and she's on her own. We don't even know if our 14 year old is ready for a laptop.

If she needs to access the computer after school hours for school Dad is going to have to 1) buy another family computer or 2) let her use the computer for school work.

 

[LilyWDW]

NO kids, but here is what happened when I was a child. Now, I usually had a bedroom and a playroom/den (depending on the age lol) when I was growing up. I never had electronics in my bedroom. However, I had a computer back in the 80's (Apple IIe) and a TV in my den with a VCR and a Nintendo system.

All that said, I didn't get a cell phone until college. If I was driving before that point, I took one of my parent's phones.

How often does your husband use the family computer? What is he doing on it? Does he get off when your child needs to use it for school?

Honestly, out of her list, I would get her the computer first, then the TV, then the phone. A desktop is good enough, she doesn't need a laptop and you can save a bunch of money by getting a basic model (unlike the computers I am currently looking at which are going to run me $900ish).

 

[Trishtack]

I'm guessing my post will be the least popular but please don't flame me for my thoughts/choices. They are mine and I certainly wouldn't impose on others.

Wii - Age 6
Laptop - Age 7
TV - Age 8 1/2
iPad Air - Age 8 1/2
Xbox 360 - Age 8 1/2
iPhone 5s - Age 8 1/2


Our DD (9) starting navigating a desktop when she was 2 to listen to music. It was with DH or me but she was the driver. Proper controls were in place. We have always had at least 1 laptop and 3 desktops between the two of us. DD got a laptop Summer 2013 at age 7 for MineCraft and IXL (math app required by her school). She never abused the privileges and has long since abandoned it. I don't it has been turned on since Nov. 2013.

She received a Wii when she was 5 or 6 and it always stays in the main family room and it gets used sporadically.

We relocated in Dec. 2013 and DH gave her his tv. She has maybe turned it on 10 times in 9 months other than DVDs. She has a uVerse DVR box but just can't be bothered to take time to watch tv.

The school system she was in for 1/2 of 3rd grade was trying to pass an ordnance that all students must have an iPad. They used iPads heavily in the classroom and students were required to log at least 20 minutes a night on IXL.

She received an iPad Air and an Xbox 360 for Christmas 2013 at age 8. The iPad is used constantly for spelling, reading, and math. In addition, she watches YouTube videos, streams music, chats and Skypes with friends, and plays Minecraft and Survivalcraft. She has yet to abuse any privileges.

Overall, she choses to be outside with friends or doing physically related activities. She owns over a 1,000 books because she loves to read. She chooses whatever interest her at the moment whether it be electronic, mental or physical. The electronics have their use for both learning and leisure.

I hear many concerns on protecting a child's innocence. We have found that life takes care of that in whatever manner it shall. My DH was paralyzed at age 3. She lost innocence then. My dad lived with us and died when she was 7. More innocence lost. She started riding the bus in 3rd grade. More innocence lost. At age 9 (7 days prior actually), I started the conversation on female bodies. I got out two sentences and she informed me of what I was trying to say and upon questioning, the 7 yr old boy next door had explained it to her when she asked why his sister wasn't swimming. In that conversation she also said she knew where babies came from (not truly but in her mind she knew from a tummy) and the kids on the bus had explained that. The bus only served kids in grades K-4. Seriously. More innocence lost.

She received the iPhone bc I took a job out of state and had to be away M-R night. The company provided me with an iPhone so she got my old one with unlimited minutes and data bc that is what our family plan is. It wasn't purchased for her nor meant to be exclusively hers. Without the move, she would have received a phone at middle school which would have been sixth grade and age 11. She calls family only and texts a few friends. She takes it on sleepovers and if she is playing at a friends. It works for us.

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't see any reason in the world for a 9 year old to have a cell phone unless she's frequently doing activities (dance, sport) where you're dropping her off and she's on her own. We don't even know if our 14 year old is ready for a laptop.

.

I got my daughter a cell phone by the time she was 9 because I wanted her to have it. She would be going down to the park with friends or they would be off riding their bikes over to the field and could shoot me a text or call me and say "hey I got to the park" she would also text when they were leaving the park and going someplace else so I would know where she was at.

As far as a computer she had a desktop from kindergarten until about 4th grade and then got a laptop. In 6th she got an ipad. She has had a TV in her room since she was a baby but a few months ago she told me that I might as well take the cable box and turn it in and save some money every month because she never watches it. She will watch Netflix on the computer or ipad. She has also had playstations and nintendos but VERY rarely does she even touch those, she would rather read a book or watch Netflix.

 

[aprilgail2]

The summer between 5th and 6th grade my daughter went with a friend of hers to a fair a few towns away, she texted me a short while later saying that the dad that had driven her there was buying his 3rd beer already- I told her to stay right there and I would be there to get her. I am glad she had the option to do that and the smarts to call and not get in the car with someone who was drinking. So for me personally I like my child having a cell phone.