Ipod Touch??????

[indimom]

How much will it cost a kid to use AFTER the initial purchase price???

My 13yo daughter is showing a Big Interest in an Ipod Touch (the majority of her friends have them). I looked it up online and have a vague idea of what you can use it for, but I can't get a feel for how much this could possibly cost over time.

She claims that her friends are NOT paying to download videos (they use netflix??), or music (they just load what they already have or use giftcards from birthdays), apps & games (there are plenty that are free??) etc., but I find this pretty hard to believe.

IF this is true, I would consider letting her buy it herself OR giving it as her main Christmas present or something like that (it would fit within our budget for something like that). But, my fear is we'll spend that kind of money and she'll be constantly wanting more to download this or that. (I also wonder if this is really worthwhile when she already has a laptop, cellphone with texting, game systems at home, and Zune for her music. Seems like spending money for more of the same.)

And just to be clear, money is an issue right now. We're not in debt or jobless or anything like that, but our budget is so TIGHT it squeaks thanks to car issues and some big medical bills. We don't have month to month mad money right now, every spare cent is going toward these bills.

What do you all think? What are kids really using these for and how much can it potentially cost month to month?? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill....but I really know NOTHING about them and what the kids are using them for....

 

[TifffanyD]

Well I can tell you I got mine about a year ago along with $45 in itunes cards and still have over $30 worth... that's how little I've spent. I loaded on music from my cds and previously purchased mp3's. If I buy mp3's I usually get them elsewhere (amazon) so that I can use them in multiple formats. Or I still buy the old CD's so I can lend them out. A lot of games are free - most of the money I've spent over the year has been on some $.99 apps.

 

[Allison]

I've spent a $1.98 so far (darn Angry Birds) in the few weeks I've had mine.

 

[Ishy]

Lots of free apps. Just don't leave any CC' info on your apple account. I connect wireless at home and at hotspots. I think you need netflix account to watch stuff on it. I have loaded DVD's and watched them on the touch, but it is unpleasant for my old eyes. I like a few games.

 

[indimom]

Lots of free apps. Just don't leave any CC' info on your apple account. I connect wireless at home and at hotspots. I think you need netflix account to watch stuff on it. I have loaded DVD's and watched them on the touch, but it is unpleasant for my old eyes. I like a few games.

We have wireless router at home and a netflix account, would she be able to get videos that way??

 

[bear_mom]

My dds got them for Christmas and I don't think they have spent less than $30 on apps/songs for them (the $30 was from gift cards, one at Christmas and one for Easter). Most of the music has been downloaded from CDs that they already had.

I know that dh has downloaded a program that allows movies to be converted into a format where they can be played on the iPod so they each have several movies on there as well.

Emily

 

[DSLRuser]

in 4 years of owning Iphone 3, 3g, and 4. I have maybe $50 in app purchases and $15 in music.

I have a huge music collection from cd's i already bought.

It is much more than just an ipod. Think of t as a mini compter. she can check email, surf the web, have video chat (on wifi).

does she have a cell phone? If not, consider an iphone over an ipod touch at her age. she is about the age kids need a cell, and an iphone will be the same as an ipod touch,but add a phone for less out of pocket sans cell phone bill.

 

[mom2alix]

My kids got ITouches for Xmas and there really is no additional cost unless you choose to buy music and games. There are a lot of free apps to download and my kids use Netflix all the time on our wifi.

 

[monorailsilver]

My dd is 10. She got her itouch when she was 8 for Christmas. She got a few gift cards then & was able to use them thru out the year (maybe $50 worth? give or take).

She or I downloaded alot of free apps & some to pay for. I had a bunch of CD's so I put that music on there & I question her often when she tells me she doesn't like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Cat Stevens, Doobie Brothers, etc... But she has some of her music on there as well.

We started Netflix back in December so that is on her ipod too. Yes wireless. She can even watch it at my moms (or anywhere there is wireless). Pandora too but you can't do anything else when Pandora is playing but it works if you just want music.

This past Christmas she got around $75 in itunes gift cards & I have only put on about $30. I only load in one gift card at a time & she has been bugging me to load in more money since she is out (must do now..).

My 7 yo son wants one so most likely he will get one this Christmas thanks to Swagbucks & Amazon gift cards I redeem them for. He will be 8 in September. And of course my 5 yo plays with it too....

 

[ybcart7]

We bought DD11 her touch for Christmas and she may have used $40 so far -- but if you see the amount of music and apps she has -- it is unreal...I steal it from her when I know I have to wait for a long period of time - she has some really fun stuff out there!!

 

[ceecee]

DD has gone thru $100's of iTune cards in the last 2 years!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Whatever you do, follow the pp's advice and do NOT link a credit card to the itunes account! If you (or another family member) can get her an itunes gift card, load THAT on. When it's gone, it's gone. (Until she saves for another itunes card, or gets another for a holiday, etc.)

But, any music already downloaded to itunes for an existing ipod will work, there are also hundreds of free apps, and to buy new ones are only $.99 for many of them.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We have wireless router at home and a netflix account, would she be able to get videos that way??

Yes, she can watch streaming videos (instant watch) from Netflix. The selection of streaming videos is smaller than the selection of videos you can rent on dvd.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Our daughters go their Touches in February and March of this year. My oldest has hers jam packed without spending a dime. My youngest was given a $15 Itunes card with hers, and still has money left on that. They LOVE their touches. Pricey, but very worth the cost. I knew they'd enjoy them, but I was surprised at the use. You never see my girls without theirs near by!

 

[mom of four]

I bought my two older children, 14 and 16, the Ipod touch for Christmas. I also bought the DSI for my 6 and 9 year old (along with additional games). I wish I would have bought four Ipod touches instead. If you calculate the price of the DSI and the 10 games they share, it is a lot more then what I paid for the Ipod touches. My two younger children also seem to like playing with Ipod touch because they can watch movies and play games. Don't get me wrong you can spend as much as you want on Apps, but there are so many free ones. Also remember to watch a Neflix movie you must be able to get onto the internet, so you can't use it in the car. I have a feeling my younger children will be getting the Ipod touch for Christmas this year, so they stop bothering us to use our Iphones.

 

[labdogs42]

I have an ipod touch and it doesn't coast me much at all. I have tons of free apps and even the ones you pay for cost only a buck each. A $25 iTunes card lasts me forever! You can also get an app that allows you to text over wifi, so I argue that it is almost as good as a phone and WAY cheaper!

 

[JamesMom]

Yes, she can watch streaming videos (instant watch) from Netflix. The selection of streaming videos is smaller than the selection of videos you can rent on dvd.

OT, but this concerns me. Is there any way you can restrict access to certain categories (ie., R rated or some PG13)?
Also can they access youtube?
Can you restirct sites or have parental protection?
I am very protective my children's internet usage and would have to turn off their internet so they can use the device in their rooms. Hence I am very concerned about internet capable phones and devices and would need these assurances before getting them for my children.

 

[indimom]

Thanks everyone! I feel much better about this. I thought I would have to attach a credit card for downloads. It's nice to know we can use itunes cards and limit the spending a bit. Also nice to hear adults say there really are free and inexpensive options. (Not saying I don't believe my own teen, but a kid's idea of cheap and a mom's idea of cheap are not always the same thing... )
Thanks much.

 

[ceecee]

OT, but this concerns me. Is there any way you can restrict access to certain categories (ie., R rated or some PG13)?
Also can they access youtube?
Can you restirct sites or have parental protection?
I am very protective my children's internet usage and would have to turn off their internet so they can use the device in their rooms. Hence I am very concerned about internet capable phones and devices and would need these assurances before getting them for my children.

They do watch youtube as well as many other inappropriate sites which is why DD had a nano until she was 13. She reads stories on Wattpad??? I'm not sure of the exact name, but some were quite disqusting, she showed them to me. Same with youtube, one thing can lead to another which isn't great.

 

[Leajess99]

DD has gone thru $100's of iTune cards in the last 2 years!

Was beginning to think my son was the only one who does this. None of the kids I know have spent less than a hundred on their music unless they have the CDs or download from sharing programs.

Even with my Ipod Touch I have spent close to $50 or more dollars. The movies I have on mine are the Digital copies from Disney movies so no extra cost with them. Much of my music has come from my son's Ipod until he moved it to his own account. The game apps were bought for my yougest.