Ipod Touch... For kids?

[belle118]

Whether you give her the i-touch or not, good luck. I got an i-touch last christmas and have been sharing it with my son (then 3 , now 4). He loves it! It is so easy for him to use his fingers to use the apps and he caught onto the technology quick. His gramma gave him an v-tech last christmas and he never plays with it. His aunt got him a leapster for our disney trip last week and he gave up on it quickly as well. The v-tech and leapster issues could have to do with his finger control at this age though. He only gets to play with the itouch in the car, church, airplanes, or at restaurants and so I've never had to worry about him losing it or dropping it too badly. Also, wifi is turned off. I see nothing wrong with it! Just keep control over usage the same way you would television or sweets. Enjoy!

 

[LisaNJ25]

When people mention the expense, I am finding it cheaper than the da for example.

My 11yo's iPod touch was 175. Last year she got a ds which I think was around 170 plus you had all the games and accesories. This put it well over 200. I can't find games for the ds for .99 like I did for the iPod.

My 5 and 6yo's are getting ds kites from my mother. I bought games and accesories. I almost wish we would of put our money together and got them the iPods.

 

[pixiewings71]

Just a little more of my opinion/feedback.
My girls have DS's, they've had them since they were about 6, they take very good care of them. BUT a DS is much bigger and IMO less likely to break if dropped, then an iTouch. But again it's not so much the durability it's the cost. A touch isl over $250 (I saw it in Best Buy's ad just yesterday, it's $256 with a wall/car charger, 2 silicone cases and something else, I can't remember what, that's a really great deal actually!), a DS is about $150 (I don't know really, I haven't priced them for ages). It's my feeling for MY children that $250 is too much until they are over 12 and they've earned it. The middle school graduation with honors seemed like a great reason to us so we are holding DD11 to that as well. It is MY opinion that gifts over $150 should be earned (either by exceptional performance in school over time or by saving their own $$ from birthdays/Christmas) by the children. Again, those are MY opinions and no, every family should NOT follow our family guidelines, every family has to chose that for themselves. OP asked for opinions and I have given mine, twice now. LOL

Just a quick fyi for anyone considering this purchase for your child (of any age), Best Buy offers the Black Tie Protection for the iTouch, I can't remember how much it was but it covers ANY type of damage, for instance if DD14 drops her touch in the rain and it stops working we can take it back and BB will replace it, not Apple, BB. I got that protection for DD and DBF when I gave him his last year for Christmas. It covers cracked screens as well. I think DBF is considering using his policy, his volume button isn't working correctly. So far we haven't had to use it but with all the rain we are getting this year I'm really glad we went for that.

OP I'm sure your DD will love the touch if you do give it to her, I know DD11 is always borrowing DD14's and DBF's to play games on. And I know that when both girls were visiting their big sister (DD22) in Idaho this summer DD14 let her cousin who is 5, play her touch and Gracie loved it.

 

[lyncecelia]

DBF's kids have computers, DSs and getting XBOX and Wii this Christmas.

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 16. I bought my laptop and my iPhone myself, my parents did not. My younger sister has her own computer, but it's hand-me-down, and is currently in their living room. My mom has my old laptop (that I also bought) because she didn't want to buy one lol.

I think a 9 year old shouldn't have their own laptop. Tim's DS3 plays on my phone all the time, doesn't mean I'd get him his own. The girls are always taking my phone to do videos etc. Again, wouldn't get them their own.

My DSis12 is getting my old iPhone (with no service, so it'll be like a Touch) for Christmas, but I do think she is responsible for it...she got a cell phone last Christmas...so yeah. Lol.

It all depends on the family, and you have to decide what is best for you!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I can't find games for the ds for .99 like I did for the iPod.

This is the exact thinking in our family too. Games are so much cheaper on the iTouch. My nephew has a piggy bank but also has an "app" bank. When he helps with chores and such he gets a quarter. He then decides which bank he wants it to go into.

 

[racechick8293]

Both of my kids (11 and 4) have had iTouches for nearly a year, and both are still in perfect condition. They do have ground rules on when/where/how to use the devices, and I believe that helped tremendously!

 

[luvthemouse71]

My cousins each got an iPod touch when one was 9 and one was 7. Both girls take very good care of them. Not all kids are the same- some are responsible at a young age, some are almost 18 and are very immature and irresponsible. I see nothing wrong with kids being introduced to technology..they will need to know about it for school and work.

 

[IDoDis]

I would not do it, just based on principal. Like other posters have already mentioned, kids these days want for nothing and I think they should want for some things -- and want them for a long time. That way when they do get that said item, they learn to appreciate it and take care of it. They don't need to have all of the gadgets adults have, especially at the age of 6. They should be playing board games and on the floor with toys. I can see getting a DS with games to keep them occupied on road trips and such, but REALLY -- do 6 year olds need cell phones??? iPods??? iPads??? Netbooks/laptops??? Facebook accounts???

What are the parents going to get him/her when he's 7, 8, or 9? The expectation is going to get bigger and because the child already has every gadget out there, the parents will end up buying some other ridiculous item that is not made for a child.

Really, are we as parents feeling so guilty that we need to satisfy our child's every whim? Or maybe it's not the child's whim, it's our whim due to our guilt of not getting on the floor and playing with them! If that's the case, those people need to use that money to invest in a good therapist.

My daughter is 14 and my son is almost 12. They do have iPods but just recently got them. DS has wanted an x-box since he was 6 years old. He's finally getting one this year. He also just got his first cell phone, only because he takes the bus to a further away middle school. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have a phone either.

Let kids be kids and wait for the adult toys when they are a little older.

 

[cccdisney]

Amen sister!!! This is TOTALLY my child too! I get soooo mad when she refuses to even look where I've said something is. Never fails. It's right where mommy said, 2 feet in front of her face, and she says she doesn't see it.

LOL! This is my HUSBAND!! Really - he misplaces everything!!! Last year I bought my dh an ipod touch for Christmas since he was always playing games on my iphone (he has a blackberry). He took a business trip in May and thought he lost the touch - the last time he remembered seeing it was on the plane.
So his parents bought him a new one for his birthday in June.
A few weeks later he finds his FIRST ipod touch in his car when he was cleaning it out. We decided to give the original touch to our oldest son for his 11th birthday last August.

And guess which ipod touch has the most scratches and dings from being dropped?? The one that belongs to the adult!

Now - my 7 yr old has severe autism and loves using our ipod touches. He is getting a refurbished one from my in-laws for Christmas. We agreed that spending the $$ for a new version was unnecessary for him - as long as he can get to his flashcards and games he is happy.

We all share the same itunes account and I am the only one that knows the password. No surprise charges!!

 

[grafxgirl]

Yes a 6 year old can play many apps, but he can also drop it , loose it and break it. Do you think your 6 year old is responsible enough to carry around $250 without losing it? Also if your are spending $200+ for one toy for a 6 year old how much are you planning on spending when he is a teen? Christmas only get bigger so I would not spend that much for 1 item at his age.

My DD still drop their DSs on occasion by accident at they are 9 and 11.

Denise in MI

If you budget allows for him to break it or loose it with out much thought then go ahead.

We have a rule at our house for our DD7, who has her own iPod. She is not allowed to take it to school or share it with her friends. When she is finished with it she has to put it in the basket, on the computer desk in the living room since this is where the other iPods, camera, and chargers are also kept, and not leave it laying around otherwise we take it away.

Christmas doesn't have to get bigger or more expensive each year. We got our daughter her own set of drums for Christmas last year (a real set) because she has been playing her daddy's set since she was about 2. She plans on playing the drums in the jazz band at her school, so we figured why not. This year she isn't getting anything expensive. She is getting the typical board games, Barbie Dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, books, and a Zhu Zhu pet.

 

[grafxgirl]

ETA: Do you really want your 6 year old texting?? I just have a hard time undertsanding this and it is not just you as I know someone personally who allows her younger child to text. It just blows me away as they are learning too young slang and not proper English or writing abilities.

I think the only way you can text on an iPod Touch is using an app that you have to download. The feature isn't automatically available.

This a coincidence that you brought up texting and proper language because I am studying this in my 21st Century Technology Class, which is teaching us how to properly integrate the use of technology into our classrooms (I'm working on my Masters in Elementary Education.) I first thought the same thing about it hindering our kids from learning the English language until my instructor asked me to further research it. This is some of the information I found in my research:

It can actually be beneficial in learning the English language because most textisms are some form of phonetic abbreviation. In order to produce and read such abbreviations requires the texter, a level of phonological and orthographic awareness. When kids are texting they have the freedom to play with the construction of language that they are learning and are creative in how they use it. A recent study by the University of Toronto disclosed that of 1.5 million words of SMS, (or text), texters only abbreviated two percent of the words.

"Those who text are not incapable of using advanced vocabulary as well as proper punctuation in their messages; they simply find conversing less formally easier via keypad. This does not render “texters” unable to differentiate between acceptable English and cell phone slang. Abbreviations, when used, merely make fast communication easier." If kids are taught well and know when to apply the basic rules of grammar, they will be able to distinguish between writing a proper paper for school and texting on a phone.

 

[Karen C.]

I have been reading these posts with interest. My husband and I both got IPod Touches for ourselves this Christmas and the grandparents will be giving our seven-year-old daughter one. She and my three-year-old daughter have been using our IPod Touches and taking very good care of them. We will have a no school rule as well.

I am a schoolteacher and I know how much technology plays a part in the classroom. My students who are computer savvy have a great advantage.

 

[Jenn4615]

My 2 and 5 year old each have their own... There are GREAT apps for all ages! Even 2 year olds! Plus Movies are great for the airplane... No dragging along a big Portable DVD anymore.. Both kids treat them just fine.. haven't had any problems at all

 

[mdsoccermom]

So, we gave our kids the touches for Hanukkah. They love them. I trust my kids with them; they have proven responsible with their DS' and previous iPod shuffles. They know they can't take them to school, but they are allowed to put them in their soccer bags and take them to tournaments and other things. They love picking out games and music; there is no shortage of free games for them.

We like gadgets and technology in this house, so it's no big deal for us to have these things. I would love one, but I have my nano and a pretty fabulous phone, so I really don't need one.

 

[luvthemouse71]

My 2 and 5 year old each have their own... There are GREAT apps for all ages! Even 2 year olds! Plus Movies are great for the airplane... No dragging along a big Portable DVD anymore.. Both kids treat them just fine.. haven't had any problems at all

My niece loves my iPad.. I made her a folder with all baby friendly apps.

 

[jmpellet]

Here's what mine are getting this year: 10 yo son is getting a DSi XL, 9 yo DD getting an iPod Touch and 6.5 yo DD getting a refurb previous gen nano. We will set ground rules for the first few months and they won't leave the house. We've only ever lost one DS to the dogs -- literally, so they are pretty good.

 

[Pigeon]

Unfortunately for my kids, I think 13 is too young.

 

[Leajess99]

Sorry, but NO, she cannot. Wi-fi has been turned off on my daughter's ipod touch and the safari icon is not even on the touch once wi-fi is disabled. She cannot "find a way around the blocks" because she would need to know the passcode on the parental controls and she does not. So, even if we are in a place with wi-fi she will not be able to access the internet at all.Also, I don't think anybody said the touch was a "necessity". Neither are the abundance of toys, DS game systems, etc....A touch is just another way to access games, music, and movies....

I respect each parent's right to determine what is best for their children. In our family, we believe in freedom within limits. To each his own! My daughter will be enjoying her touch come Christmas morning

As you have said, too each his own but please do realize that kids are not stupid. There are many that know the way around parental codes and kids do pass it on to other kids. I have personally witnessed a 7 year old find a way around the blocks but whatever. It was a friend's son who did it. When asked how he learned that, he came out with his friend told him how to do it.

 

[Leajess99]

I would not do it, just based on principal. Like other posters have already mentioned, kids these days want for nothing and I think they should want for some things -- and want them for a long time. That way when they do get that said item, they learn to appreciate it and take care of it. They don't need to have all of the gadgets adults have, especially at the age of 6. They should be playing board games and on the floor with toys. I can see getting a DS with games to keep them occupied on road trips and such, but REALLY -- do 6 year olds need cell phones??? iPods??? iPads??? Netbooks/laptops??? Facebook accounts???

What are the parents going to get him/her when he's 7, 8, or 9? The expectation is going to get bigger and because the child already has every gadget out there, the parents will end up buying some other ridiculous item that is not made for a child.

Really, are we as parents feeling so guilty that we need to satisfy our child's every whim? Or maybe it's not the child's whim, it's our whim due to our guilt of not getting on the floor and playing with them! If that's the case, those people need to use that money to invest in a good therapist.

My daughter is 14 and my son is almost 12. They do have iPods but just recently got them. DS has wanted an x-box since he was 6 years old. He's finally getting one this year. He also just got his first cell phone, only because he takes the bus to a further away middle school. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have a phone either.

Let kids be kids and wait for the adult toys when they are a little older.

I was just talking to a friend about this today as well. Her grandkids are getting netbooks and one also asked for an Ipod Touch. She asked what they will be getting in a couple of years since they have everything now. It seems to be that so many are into keeping up with the Joneses. My youngest has a DS that is kept at her grandma's house except for when we go on trips and such. She loves doing puzzles, playing games, playing outsider, etc and I do NOT have to worry about her getting access to the internet or losing some expensive item. She is very protective of her stuff but she is still a CHILD and should be treated as such.

 

[IDoDis]

I was just talking to a friend about this today as well. Her grandkids are getting netbooks and one also asked for an Ipod Touch. She asked what they will be getting in a couple of years since they have everything now. It seems to be that so many are into keeping up with the Joneses. My youngest has a DS that is kept at her grandma's house except for when we go on trips and such. She loves doing puzzles, playing games, playing outsider, etc and I do NOT have to worry about her getting access to the internet or losing some expensive item. She is very protective of her stuff but she is still a CHILD and should be treated as such.

It's not even so much the breakage factor I'm talking about. I'm talking about wanting something, and learning to work for it or knowing you won't get everything everyone else has because you are still a child. Our kids these days are growing up with less and less character. I believe you grow character by living through things and reflecting/learning from them and waiting for things that you really want. Parents let their kids do things like drive at 12 years old or watch Rated R movies at 6,7,8+ years old.

It's not a matter of affordability, either. I've seen some of the poorest kids with the nicest cell phones and other electronics.

I'm guilty of buying things for my kids that should have waited, to some extent, but certainly not with a 6 year old or worse yet, a toddler. My 14 year old is getting her first laptop this Christmas. She's wanted one for years, but I didn't cave and buy her one when she was 10 because she didn't need one. The kids have a desktop which suited her needs just fine. It was a "want" not a "must have"

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.