Page 3 | To think we've made a mistake with DS big present?

lynzmb · 2024-12-30T00:12:20+00:00

We got DS6 an Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet for Christmas to replace an ancient iPad. I'm pretty tech savvy but I have really struggled to get certain apps on the kids profile - YouTube Kids seems extremely difficult to add, research talks about side loading etc which just seems like an almighty faff. I'm worried we keep running into problems like this, DS will lose interest and it was v expensive. I'm wondering if we return it and look at another android tablet instead. Seen a few people suggesting Samsung with Family Link app for parental controls. I'm feeling stupid already for not realising the limitations around Amazon tablets so please be kind! Or is there a simple solution I'm missing?

Nottodaythankyou123 · 30/12/2024 12:39

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 09:51

Do you not have a tv she can watch tv programmes on? Genuine question. Why a tablet? Why not the family tv?

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We do! And she used to but then she got this as a present from my MIL and she seems to prefer snuggling on her bed or the sofa just watching it for a bit.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 30/12/2024 11:59

imisscashmere · 30/12/2024 04:36

Please do some research on what this is doing to your daughter’s brain. She’s going to pay a heavy price for your “short intervals of peace”.

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🙄

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 11:54

edwinbear · 30/12/2024 11:47

OP just on the replacing issue - I always told mine than Santa leaves receipts for things with parents, just in case things break/don’t work and need replacing/returning. He’s off work now until next Christmas so any issues he makes sure parents can sort out!

Legend! Thank you 🙏

OP posts:

edwinbear · 30/12/2024 11:47

OP just on the replacing issue - I always told mine than Santa leaves receipts for things with parents, just in case things break/don’t work and need replacing/returning. He’s off work now until next Christmas so any issues he makes sure parents can sort out!

Wonderfulstuff · 30/12/2024 11:44

OP - if you can return I'd do it.

Between DH and I we have a relatively decent level of tech saviness, are used iOS and Android, and yet we both HATE the amazon fire and find it very unintuitive.

DC7 has had one since they were 4 when it was purchased for watching downloaded content on a long journey for holiday. We purchased a memory card to expand the storage but this has never worked properly and as such it will only run with the the off the shelf capacity which is pretty small. It's not used for games but if it was then it'd be even more frustrating as it would definitely need the expanded storage. We also can't get homework apps to run efficiently on the kids profile.

One thing in it's favour is that it has exceeded all expectations re durability and lifespan and the hardware seems pretty indestructible (far more so than my ipad air). Given that we bought it for travel at age 4 then this has definitely been a bonus. But once it dies it will not be replaced like for like and we'll just get an ipad or similar.

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 11:32

Clearly an emotive subject!

Thanks to those who have given advice on the actual tablet situation - much appreciated.

To those commenting on my 'ridiculous' parenting choices - also thank you. I'm confident in the range of activities my child has alongside tablet use and also aware that toys and books exist for a 6 year old. As someone said that made me chuckle - I haven't just turned up in a spaceship from Mars. Thanks though 👍🏻

I'm very conscious of the dangers of tablet use and monitor his use closely, but aware there's lots still to learn so I genuinely will take lots away from this thread and do more research.

Peace out ✌️

OP posts:

Dollmeup · 30/12/2024 11:22

My kids both have the fire tablets and I think they are great. I quite like the fact that there is a restriction on what you can do on them. My oldest loves playing Minecraft and reading on hers and the youngest watches Disney, netflix etc. I like the fact that there's lots of games and books included and it doesn't have ads. The parental controls are fine once you get used to them.

I don't really want them watching YouTube kids anyway so the fact they can't get it is a bonus! Ive got the internet browser disabled too.

However we went straight to the fire tablets so it's all they have ever really known, I think it would be tricky if they were going from something faster and more intuitive like an iPad.

Vettrianofan · 30/12/2024 11:20

Zanatdy · 30/12/2024 09:18

My nephew is 2 and I was surprised to see that they put youtube videos on the TV for him. He likes something called Vlad and Nikki which is a horrible display of excess wealth. Mine watched TV at that age only, and Cbeebies. He doesn’t watch anything educational. He doesn’t watch to excess but they get him out of the house to avoid him asking for it.

Get that crap off. Honestly. It's utter tripe!

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 11:15

Hi

Bearhunt468 · 30/12/2024 10:58

We returned our Amazon fire tablet as in kids mode it was awful. No YouTube kids, loads of games with adverts despite paying for Amazon kids subscription. I complained it wasn't fit for purpose and got a full refund. Get a Samsung but you can enable kids mode to suit the age and you tube kids works.

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 10:54

TheUsualChaos · 30/12/2024 09:36

Wow OP, their own tablet so they can watch kids You tube? This is what you want for your child's Christmas?😕 Take this as a sign you made a mistake, return the tablet and get them Lego or something instead.

Edited

He did also get Lego and toys which he spends a lot of time with, but thank you for the advice 😊

OP posts:

Wibblywobblybobbly · 30/12/2024 10:43

Santa's workshop had identified a manufacturing issue and need to do a product recall and are issuing replacements? It has the advantage of being quite plausible.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 10:38

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:23

Quite patronising. I have more than one child. We don’t have screens in any bedroom. I can tolerate pretty much anything on the tv for a short period. If I can’t, the tv needs to stay off and my child(ren) do something else.

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That's good for you. Some of us are wired differently. You were very patronising with your "I can't imagine any parent..." comment.

All families and people are different. Just because you can't imagine it doesn't mean it's not valid.

GreyAreas · 30/12/2024 10:35

I would return it OP, check he would still ask for a tablet, in case he has other ideas now.
Make your own mind up on screens, as we all have to.

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:26

Fandangles · 30/12/2024 10:07

People who say it’s no-one else’s business how others parent their own children…. Sure. But how people parent their children will end up affecting other kids. I don’t want to send my son around to his friends houses because some of them seem to have unfettered YouTube access, or all they want to do is play Fortnite. If I invite them here, they seem to find it boring if gaming isn’t an option.

I’m a teacher and do find it frightening how screen time has affected attention spans, dominated conversations and brought up so many safeguarding issues. And I’m in primary.

So sometimes, how others parent their children does affect a wider society.

Could have written most of this myself.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 30/12/2024 10:24

ByHardyAquaFox · 30/12/2024 00:31

I think the the mistake here is to buy a tablet, any tablet, full stop.
He is only 6. You are potentially breeding a screen addicted child.

To be honest I regret letting my DS (now 10) have a tablet that young.

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:23

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 10:15

Bluey was just an example, its by far one of the least annoying shows. We've deliberately not ever put cocomelon or Peppa Pig etc on. But equally, I can't think of many parents who wouldn't appreciate 10 minutes of quiet time every now and then. Rather than having the family TV singing at them. Can you?

It also gives DD an element of choosing for herself. She can watch in the living room, or in her bedroom (I imagine you would be even more outraged if a small child had a bedroom TV?) or she can sit at the kitchen table while I prep some food or whatever she and I feel is her best option at that time. Rather than plonking her in front of the family TV and then leaving the room (not always a great plan) or else everyone in the house is now subjected to whatever TV program she wants (which for many families may include younger children for whom it's not appropriate or babies you're trying to get down).

Try and think outside of just "10 minutes of TV" and look at the bigger family picture.

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Quite patronising. I have more than one child. We don’t have screens in any bedroom. I can tolerate pretty much anything on the tv for a short period. If I can’t, the tv needs to stay off and my child(ren) do something else.

Glitterbomb123 · 30/12/2024 10:23

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:12

And perhaps some of us have slightly older children and are trying to help. Some of us work in professions where we see the impact of YouTube and screen time.

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Most parents with older children or young adults will disagree and say actually they don't regret letting their kids game, or wish they weren't so strict about it because it doesn't actually have as much of an impact as we think.

Disturbia81 · 30/12/2024 10:22

I had to do a few techy things to make some apps work but once it was done it was done. I wouldn't buy android again though

HotCrossBunplease · 30/12/2024 10:16

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:12

And perhaps some of us have slightly older children and are trying to help. Some of us work in professions where we see the impact of YouTube and screen time.

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You genuinely believe that OP has just landed from Mars and what you are saying is entirely new to her? Or that somehow, the way that YOU say it will be the first time she properly understands? You really do sound just like those religious zealots who are compelled to knock on doors saving souls because they can’t live with the thought of everyone else going to hell.

Medinburgh · 30/12/2024 10:16

ByHardyAquaFox · 30/12/2024 00:31

I think the the mistake here is to buy a tablet, any tablet, full stop.
He is only 6. You are potentially breeding a screen addicted child.

🙄

GauntJudy · 30/12/2024 10:16

Mine had a kindle fire aged 5 and has used it ever since, so for 5 years. Mostly for watching YouTube, it had the occasional game on it too. So ours was a hit but it depends on what you want to use it for, I know it can't handle things like roblox. I liked the limited functionality as it felt safer!

Glitterbomb123 · 30/12/2024 10:15

sunshine237 · 30/12/2024 03:35

I'm with the others, very sad to hear about 5 & 6 year old kids being given tablets and access to you tube. The fact it's kids YouTube means nothing, you know people specifically hide inappropriate content in kids content?

Definitely worth watching Swiped with Matt and Emma Willis on channel 4.

This show was about phones and apps like Snapchat, WhatsApp and having free reign of the internet for kids that are too young. That's completely different to kids tablets with games and watching bbc iPlayer.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 10:15

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:09

If it really is just 10 or 20 minutes then I don’t really buy that. I can’t think of many parent who couldn’t tolerate the same episode of Bluey once a day for 10 or 20 minutes.

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Bluey was just an example, its by far one of the least annoying shows. We've deliberately not ever put cocomelon or Peppa Pig etc on. But equally, I can't think of many parents who wouldn't appreciate 10 minutes of quiet time every now and then. Rather than having the family TV singing at them. Can you?

It also gives DD an element of choosing for herself. She can watch in the living room, or in her bedroom (I imagine you would be even more outraged if a small child had a bedroom TV?) or she can sit at the kitchen table while I prep some food or whatever she and I feel is her best option at that time. Rather than plonking her in front of the family TV and then leaving the room (not always a great plan) or else everyone in the house is now subjected to whatever TV program she wants (which for many families may include younger children for whom it's not appropriate or babies you're trying to get down).

Try and think outside of just "10 minutes of TV" and look at the bigger family picture.

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:12

HotCrossBunplease · 30/12/2024 10:08

Those of you who have replied to this thread to patronise the OP about the evils of screens, accuse her of “useless parenting” and generally pile on to stick the boot in, ask yourselves this: why are you spending this time, right now, on an internet chat forum writing rude and unsolicited messages to a stranger? Do you genuinely think that you are the first person to tell her that screens are bad, or that your “intervention” will save her child from irreparable “brain rot”? Or do you think (in the manner of a missionary in the deepest Amazon) that there may be someone else out there reading this who truly had no idea and can be saved before it is too late?

I’m astonished that none of you appreciate the irony of the fact that one of the biggest evils of the internet is the power it gives people to bully strangers and enable those who are compelled to proclaim that their world view is the only one that has any merit. And also the way that those prone to such behaviour become addicted to it, clicking on thread after thread after thread with the sole purpose of getting a kick from being sanctimonious.

Perhaps take a dose of your own medicine and consider stepping away from the online world, maybe try to live truly by your own screen-free ideals in 2025?

Edited

And perhaps some of us have slightly older children and are trying to help. Some of us work in professions where we see the impact of YouTube and screen time.