Age to let kids have certain electronics?

[SaraMc]

We also are a 1 TV family. Both Kids have had leap pads and share 1 iPad that neither know the password for to log in. They have to get one of us to let them in to use it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The majority of my kids schoolwork was online by the time they were 9 years old so they needed access to a desktop or laptop regularly.
We bought them one to share because my husband was always on the household desktop.
By the time the kids were in 6th grade even the books were online.

Both of my kids got phones in middle school because of the after school activities so I probably wouldn't get a 9 year old a phone.

And they have TV's/Blu ray players in their rooms that we got them for their 13the birthdays. They can't watch our satellite dish from their rooms since we don't have that hooked up for them but they could watch movies and netflix through those.

I'm sure OP has decided but I'd go for getting a desktop computer for the 9 year old for Christmas since it will be useful for school.

 

[HM]

Not at all... By high school the skills get much more advanced. My high school sophomore is learning C++ and Photoshop this year. My middle schooler has been using Powerpoint for projects for years, as well as Word, Excel, and some web-based software (PowerSchool, Google Drive, etc.). Middle to upper elem would be about the latest I'd want to see basic technological proficiency because middle and high school bring an expectation of familiarity, a need to learn specific software suites, and the need for other intermediate technological skills.

You don't have to have your own laptop to learn computer skills. A family desktop in a central place is probably better for a 9 year old.

And as an aside and some advice to those with younger kids than mine: The parents should be keeping track of what they are doing.

I happen to remember when my DD was a girl scout. One of her friends parents were very particular about their daughter's use of the computer so they had it in the kitchen where they could see her. We were talking after a meeting a few girls were around her computer. I went over to see what they were doing.....she was on MySpace. She was too young to be on it and her parents had no idea she'd made herself an account. So, even when you think you're on top of your child's computer/laptop use, you may not be.

 

[aprilgail2]

The majority of my kids schoolwork was online by the time they were 9 years old so they needed access to a desktop or laptop regularly. We bought them one to share because my husband was always on the household desktop. By the time the kids were in 6th grade even the books were online. Both of my kids got phones in middle school because of the after school activities so I probably wouldn't get a 9 year old a phone. And they have TV's/Blu ray players in their rooms that we got them for their 13the birthdays. They can't watch our satellite dish from their rooms since we don't have that hooked up for them but they could watch movies and netflix through those. I'm sure OP has decided but I'd go for getting a desktop computer for the 9 year old for Christmas since it will be useful for school.

That is what I had originally planned-when she was 10 and in jr high I would get her a phone but ended up getting her one in 5th grade when she was 9. It just worked out best for me. She took such good care of it I had no issue getting her an iPhone in jr high.

 

[SEA333]

OP's child is 9. You guys are talking like she's in HS.

My dd, whom I referred to, is 10. Before June 28th of this year (2months ago), she was 9. I'm specifically talking about the OP's age group- 3rd-5th grade elementary school children. FWIW, and I didn't mention him before, but DS8, who is a 3rd grader like OP's DD, also works from computers on at least a weekly basis in his classroom...the only difference is that he hasn't been directed to turn in papers that are typed and emailed. But by the time he is 10 and in 5th grade his teachers will require it, same as DD10 this year. I wouldn't be surprised if the 4th grade teachers require it as the whole elementary school is moving away from textbooks as they become outdated and toward e-learning.

 

[leahlefler]

I find this conversation so fascinating. I have a DS who is 8, but will be 9 in December. We are in NY state, and his classroom uses the NY common core teaching modules, which are all printed worksheets (for homework). We haven't been required to have a computer for use at home, though we certainly do have one. He doesn't have his own laptop, but we do have a family computer he can use if he needs one.

He does use a chromebook at school, an iPad mini, and several learning programs (like iReady) during the day. I am sure he will need something at home, but he can use our solitary desktop for that purpose.

We tend to be a "low level" electronics family - we do have an iPad (through DH's work, so not for the kids), an old Galaxy Tab tablet that is starting to give out, and an old Kindle Fire. All of these belong to the adults, but the kids can play the Galaxy Tab or the Kindle Fire if we are on a long road trip. I may purchase another used Kindle Fire so both boys have something to play (since our Galaxy Tab is about ready to bite the dust). Both boys play piano and read books when they're bored. They have no access to electronics outside of school on the weekdays.

We have one TV, in the family room. We own one cell phone (DH's, a work cell) - this will eventually change, I am sure (I desperately want one, haha) - but no plans for the kids to have one yet. I drive them to and from school and to all extracurricular activities.

I have a feeling they'll get phones in middle school, when they are involved in more independent activities.

So much of this depends on individual family values, the area of the country you live in, personal family needs, etc.

 

[MrsPete]

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

True, but that doesn't mean every child needs a personal computer that can be taken into a private bedroom. A shared family TV in the den is FINE for homework.

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?

I ask on my "first day of school info sheet" about what computer access my students have. 100% of my students -- even the students on free lunch, etc. -- have SOME TYPE of computer access. Many of them don't have a personal computer they can use on a whim, and many of them have older models, but they all have some type of access -- including internet. And out of my 80-something students only TWO do not have their own SmartPhone (these are high school seniors). What a good 1/3 of them don't have is printing ability.

Having said that, the "Digital Divide" is a very real thing. I'd say 1/3 of my students are VERY tech-savvy and genuinely understand how to use computers as a tool. Another 1/3 are competent to run programs, but they can't problem solve when something goes wrong. And the final 1/3 are able to plod along, but they are somewhat confused by the machine -- they tend to see the computer as something that acts randomly, and they don't understand how to do anything beyond surfing the net. For example, this week my students had two days to work on a project that required word processing. Out of 80-something students, about six students asked my help to save their work to the computer network. Another six or so didn't ask for help, saved incorrectly and lost their work. It's disappointing that a high school senior can't save a word processing file.

I think in general the anti-electronics perspective tends to be rooted in the extremes: that kid who wishes away the school day because he'd rather be on his iPad,

This isn't an extreme -- this is the AVERAGE kid. Believe me, I spend too much time telling kids to put away phones. More than half my students would gladly play with their cell phones all day long, ignoring their lessons.

We tend to be a "low level" electronics family - we do have an iPad (through DH's work, so not for the kids), an old Galaxy Tab tablet that is starting to give out, and an old Kindle Fire. All of these belong to the adults, but the kids can play the Galaxy Tab or the Kindle Fire if we are on a long road trip. I may purchase another used Kindle Fire so both boys have something to play (since our Galaxy Tab is about ready to bite the dust). Both boys play piano and read books when they're bored. They have no access to electronics outside of school on the weekdays.

Yes, I'd describe us as a low level electronics family too, and now that my kids are 17 and 20, I can look back and say it's been a good thing. Kids don't need hours upon hours of screen time to learn computer skills -- they're not that complicated.

One difference: My girls don't read books when they're bored. Reading is a first-choice activity for them, and I genuinely think that's true -- in part -- because we didn't allow them excessive TV and computer time when they were small and were still developing their habits.

When they were in middle school, both girls had a big desire to have a personal TV -- and that was just never going to happen. My husband and I were in complete agreement on the subject. In middle school they both mistakenly thought that our refusal had to do with the cost of the TV and asked their grandparents to get them TVs for Christmas. I'm very, very glad that the grandparents kind of suspected what we thought and asked our permission before buying! An ugly situation was avoided.

 

[tvguy]

Hmmm. Odd. I work for a PEN company and we are completely paperless. Everything we do (other than normal notetaking and scratchpads) is paperless. And really, I even prefer to takea picture of a lot of my notes and email them to myself so I can store them.

Pen and paper are not going away (as evidenced by our extremely successful back to school season this year), but electronics and paperless delivery of information certainly does exisit and have a prominent place in the business world today. If I wasn't computer savvy, there is no way I would have been hired for my company.

PP's, my DD is in 5th grade and she has a typed writing assignment due every week, and all of her math homework is done online. DS14 has to turn in all of his assignments either through email or has to print them out and hand them in. All research and papers must be done online. They access their homework assignments via Schoology.

Their doing this online work as kids will help them in college as well as in the business world. I couldn't begin to imagine what my boss would do if I handed her a report or proposal or presentation on a piece of handwrittsn paper lol she would think I was crazy.

Sort of like my insurance agent. His bill for paper and for secure destruction of documents has gone up since he went paperless since he now prints a safety copy while preparing a document, and a final copy in case there is a glitch in the computer.

 

[Colleen27]

You don't have to have your own laptop to learn computer skills. A family desktop in a central place is probably better for a 9 year old.

And as an aside and some advice to those with younger kids than mine: The parents should be keeping track of what they are doing.

I happen to remember when my DD was a girl scout. One of her friends parents were very particular about their daughter's use of the computer so they had it in the kitchen where they could see her. We were talking after a meeting a few girls were around her computer. I went over to see what they were doing.....she was on MySpace. She was too young to be on it and her parents had no idea she'd made herself an account. So, even when you think you're on top of your child's computer/laptop use, you may not be.

"Better" is whatever arrangement allows the child adequate access. For some that might be a family computer in a central location. For some it might be a dedicated desktop for the child because the adults or older kids in the family tend to dominate the family computer. And for some it might be a laptop so that the child can work in places other than home when needed.

Parents need to monitor their kids internet use regardless of the arrangement, but at the same time educating them on safe use is the bigger concern. Monitoring the home computer is only one small part of that picture. I can't tell you how many of DD13's friends who aren't allowed to be on Facebook set up pages from the library computer lab or from friends' homes. But their parents feel that since their home computer is a centrally located, closely monitored desktop they're doing enough to keep their children safe online.

 

[Colleen27]

This isn't an extreme -- this is the AVERAGE kid. Believe me, I spend too much time telling kids to put away phones. More than half my students would gladly play with their cell phones all day long, ignoring their lessons.

You teach high school, though. The poster I quoted was talking about a 5yo. At that age such a heavy dependence on tech is extreme. In high school those phones are recreation and socialization all wrapped up in one and the kids are much more involved in their tech. One of DS's high school teachers compared policing smartphone use in class to the "old days" when he was constantly intercepting passed notes and shushing kids who got chatty during class time, and I think that's a pretty apt way of looking at it. They're high schoolers - socialization reigns supreme, and phones are the new enabler of socializing at inappropriate times.

One difference: My girls don't read books when they're bored. Reading is a first-choice activity for them, and I genuinely think that's true -- in part -- because we didn't allow them excessive TV and computer time when they were small and were still developing their habits.

I think a lot of the reader/non-reader divide is personality. My brother and I grew up long before bedroom TVs, gaming systems, and computers were attainable for the middle class. I'm a reader, he's not. I doubt he's read a book since high school, I've read 60-some this year alone. Of my three kids, both girls regularly choose reading as their preferred entertainment despite a couple of gaming systems, four computers, an iPod, two tablets, four TVs and four smartphones in our household. My son, on the other hand, simply does not read for enjoyment and it doesn't matter what is competing for his attention. We've had several power outages this summer and he dragged out old Lego sets that he hadn't played with in ages rather than pick up a book.

 

[SEA333]

Sort of like my insurance agent. His bill for paper and for secure destruction of documents has gone up since he went paperless since he now prints a safety copy while preparing a document, and a final copy in case there is a glitch in the computer.

Huh? How is what I said about being paperless as a company anything like unneccessarily printing, then shredding, several copies of the same document? *IF* I don't bring my laptop to a meeting (rare), and I take paper and pen notes, then I will sometimes take a picture of the notepage with my phone and email the pic to myself so i can store the image in an Outlook folder. I rarely print anything to a hardcopy.

 

[Sparkly]

For me personally I've had my own PC since I was about 6. It was my Dads and then he gave it to me. It was just a old Dell desktop with Windows 98 and no internet (dial-up back then, this was 2000!) but I loved it. It was the greatest toy to me. I got a couple of others, mostly handed down over the years and finally got internet access in my room when I was 13 (used the family computer for homework before).

I didn't have a laptop of my own (if I needed to use one, I used Mums) until 2011 when I entered sixth form college and then I brought it myself.

I got a phone (just a basic Nokia brick phone) when I was 11 and entering secondary school.

Still haven't got a actual TV in my room nor ever owned a gaming console, but I can watch TV on my PC anyway and just use Steam to play games. I'm lusting after a PS3 though! (mostly for the blu-ray player to watch Disney movies when Mum doesn't want to!)

 

[tvguy]

Huh? How is what I said about being paperless as a company anything like unneccessarily printing, then shredding, several copies of the same document? *IF* I don't bring my laptop to a meeting (rare), and I take paper and pen notes, then I will sometimes take a picture of the notepage with my phone and email the pic to myself so i can store the image in an Outlook folder. I rarely print anything to a hardcopy.

How is what you said about being paperless related? Because BEING paperless prompts some to print Unnecessarily. We are partially paperless at work, and the paper we do use is often because the electronic version can't always be quickly and reliably retrieved.

 

[minnie45]

My Daughter is almost 11 and got a cell phone this week...I like her to have it so that she can can contact me when she is at sleep overs, birthday parties, when she goes over to a friends house in the neighborhood...etc...

 

[SEA333]

How is what you said about being paperless related? Because BEING paperless prompts some to print Unnecessarily. We are partially paperless at work, and the paper we do use is often because the electronic version can't always be quickly and reliably retrieved.

Well, my original point in reference to your comment about newly graduated associates in your company being in shock at the dependance you still have on physical paper relates because I countered that by stating that in my company, that happens to be a major pen and marker manufacturer(irony that is not wasted on some of our smaller customers tht find it a hassle that we only accept electronically-transmitted purchase orders and will not accept handwritten ones....that they wrote with a PEN haha), we are 95% paperless and store every possible document we can on a hard drive, shared drive, or cloud. The other 5% comes from accepting mail from consumers that our consumers affairs people scan in and then respond with paper copies of letters that they mail to consumers that do not have internet or email access. Nobody in my company prints anything as a hardcopy backup, so we do not waste paper in addition to utilizing our very expensive electronic infastructure, and we only have one printer to share between 150 people in our division office (corporate home office in Atlanta, we are in Chicago). This conflicts directly with what you stated about business being unwilling to put the money forth for such a system, of which very efficiently and quickly allows us to retrive an important document. And my company is not the only paperless company in our big-city market. Perhaps smaller companies or companies outside large metropolitan city areas have not gotten up to speed.

But they will, and when that happens, my kids and their peers, who are learning their way around a computer now in elementary school, will be prepared and educated in how to quickly and efficiently pull an archived document from cloud storage and email it to the VP of their department. And the ones who don't know how to do that without on the job training will be left behind, fired or, most likely, not hired in the first place.

Just a thought, but if were the IT manager in your company, I would be having a chat with the managers about providing extra document storage and retrival training for those in your company that need it. Both of those tasks are very entry level computer functions.

 

[tnd]

My son is 9 and does not have his own computer, but has essentially free reign over the family iMac, which is what he uses for school work and of course, Minecraft. I do think a lot of schools expect kids to have access to a computer now. We often have homework assignments that require a computer. Maybe Santa could bring the whole family a laptop or desktop computer?

My son does have essentially an iPod touch (it's an old iPhone 4 where the microphone died and it can't be used as a phone now). He is actually relatively responsible with it, which surprised me, because he is pretty careless generally. Most of the kids in his class have tablets and iPhones, but he hasn't asked for one yet and I am avoiding the issue. I just don't think kids need tech 24-7.

 

[nene0182]

My son is 11. He's had a cell phone since he was 9. Very basic one that he can use to call his dad, call from a friends house, etc. we plan on getting him a smartphone for Christmas. He got an IPod for his 9th birthday but it broke last year. He now has an IPad Mini. He got a tv in his room for his 11th birthday but hardly watches it. No need for a computer/laptop. His school provides all students with net books he can use for homework.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Not at all... By high school the skills get much more advanced. My high school sophomore is learning C++ and Photoshop this year. My middle schooler has been using Powerpoint for projects for years, as well as Word, Excel, and some web-based software (PowerSchool, Google Drive, etc.). Middle to upper elem would be about the latest I'd want to see basic technological proficiency because middle and high school bring an expectation of familiarity, a need to learn specific software suites, and the need for other intermediate technological skills.

This! My sons school does not require a laptop but my friends school does. She could not afford one for her 4th grader so they her one on a scholarship.

The technology gap between the haves and have boys is one line drawn in the sand and then when they get to college those who come from wealthy families do not have to worry about student loans or working part time on top of classes.

I just graduated college and everything is done via computer. I do google hangouts and white board for meetings. Make up powerpoints and youtubes for trainings. My work study was teaching faculty how to incorporate technology into the classroom. The technology revolution is here to stay and while I don't recommend jumping on every trend, holding onto the "I didn't have one so you won't have one" is only going to cause the student difficulties at some point. I have used my smartphone to do research, document sources, write a article and send it to my boss in a few minutes. It is the way of the world. For better or worse.