Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

267 replies

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 00:12

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?

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 30/12/2024 07:53

Those who say 6 is too young

Once in yr 2 so 6yrs ish it's handy to have one as school use then for homework

We had numbots and a bee maths learning game to do

Yr 3 / more Homework like Ed shed for spellings and rock stars for maths

Plus lexia

iPads are better as those parents who had Amazon or other tablets couldn't always download the apps

Nothing wrong with a device as long as you make sure you have strict rules on when can you use and strict parental controls

I would let it run flat and then say it's not charging so need to send it back and get a different one

CosyLemur · 30/12/2024 07:49

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 00:12

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?

Amazon fire tablets are horrendous! I don't know anyone who's had one for more than 6/12 months. You have to side load virtually everything but that then voids your warranty because they claim you've bypassed their safety features

MillyGoat · 30/12/2024 07:49

OliveLeader · 30/12/2024 07:18

How can you say you bought one which was shit and in the next breath say ‘tbh I can’t believe you didn’t realise this before you bought’. Double standards much?

Show quote history

Because we had it a few years ago when it was relatively newish and people didn’t realise quite how universally terrible they were (and not many people had them anyway) so the reviews didn’t really help… and they haven’t improved since, the difference being there are now thousands of reviews on how awful they are.

HTH.

RickyBobbysKFC · 30/12/2024 07:49

For those who are naive about YouTube Kids, just google Elsa Gate. It’s really sad that kids have access to absolute garbage and parents and grandparents think it’s ok just because the app is for ‘kids’.

TaggieO · 30/12/2024 07:48

I absolutely hate it, but with a DS with profound SEND, Amazon’s kind “replace if they break it” policy makes it the only sensible choice for us.

lochmaree · 30/12/2024 07:45

One of my DCs friends (4) was given a switch for Christmas and his little sister (2) was given her own tablet. Another of his classmates was given her own new laptop.

Neeenaaw · 30/12/2024 07:44

Funny how this is the first thread I open after having my regular swearing session at son’s fire tablet which I have always found to be an absolute bag of shit. I’d be fuming if I’d paid full price for it. I’m considering buying a second hand iPad. If you can return it I would.

Vettrianofan · 30/12/2024 07:39

YouTube Kids is absolutely sh*te. Don't worry if you can't add it on to the tablet😂

Save yourself the grief.

Workhardcryharder · 30/12/2024 07:38

Poppins21 · 30/12/2024 07:25

Yes we just got our daughter her first tablet at Christmas a week after her 10th birthday and we worried it was too young but she needs to do research online for school and her friends video chat and she wanted to use procreate to draw.

Show quote history

A 10 year old with a tablet AND access to the internet?

daisychain01 · 30/12/2024 07:37

sweeneytoddsrazor · 30/12/2024 00:19

Are you able return it because you don't get on with it? Some places are going to say you cam only return it if it is faulty.

If the OP purchased it online, in the UK there are distance selling guidelines and protections plus a cooling off period etc.

Feb135 · 30/12/2024 07:34

I'm by no means a loyal Apple fan (I'm more of an emperor's new clothes about iPhones being better than other options) but having had a number of Samsung tablets and an iPad, I'd go with the iPad every time.

Mine's an iPad Air Third Generation which are around £300 new and £200 refurbed. It's still going strong after five years and I really like the screen size (my Samsungs weren't as wide).

NetZeroZealot · 30/12/2024 07:33

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 00:14

Also we'd do the switch so he wouldn't be without - but also wondering how we explain as it was Santa who brought it - it's gone back to the workshop? The elves realised they'd made a mistake? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Maybe don’t fill your kid’s head with such nonsense next time.
Father Christmas only ever brings small gifts in our house.

amyshep · 30/12/2024 07:33

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.

This

1AngelicFruitCake · 30/12/2024 07:29

We've got fire tablets and had no problems.

JanuaryOSunshine · 30/12/2024 07:29

My kids both had Lenovo android tablets they were £100 Argos they were really good and simple until they got to teens and had our old iPads.

Mynewnameis · 30/12/2024 07:27

I got mine leveno ones. Amazon were shit

Bustopnumberone · 30/12/2024 07:26

I would return it and think about whether he really does need his own tablet or have you just got him one because others do? I would also recommend a Yoto player. He can listen to audio books in bed, in the car, at home etc. He could watch Cbeebies on TV, no You Tube needed! If you do need the tablet one day he could use yours/family one if you have one.

Poppins21 · 30/12/2024 07:25

Wordsmithery · 30/12/2024 05:59

For once, I too am happy to derail a thread and agree with others that six is way way way too young for a tablet. Tablets are addictive, damaging to the developing brain, bad for the eyes, and do nothing for concentration skills. Then there's the actual content your child is consuming, including potentially endless adverts.
There are hundreds of other ways to entertain a child that are not harmful.

Yes we just got our daughter her first tablet at Christmas a week after her 10th birthday and we worried it was too young but she needs to do research online for school and her friends video chat and she wanted to use procreate to draw.

Roselilly36 · 30/12/2024 07:25

Stick with iPad if he is used to IPad. I have tried cheaper alternatives, but not found anything as good.

LittleBigHead · 30/12/2024 07:25

Why not just get an iPad?

Liesmorelies · 30/12/2024 07:22

Wow - giving a 6yo their own tablet and then tying yourself up in knots about how to return it while maintaining the Santa myth is totally bizarre and all kinds of wrong.

OliveLeader · 30/12/2024 07:18

MillyGoat · 30/12/2024 07:10

We had an Amazon fire and it was hands down the shittest piece of tech we have ever bought. Clunky, difficult to use, slow and to top of off, you can’t download or stream 99% of content or apps when in a foreign country because of differences in local licensing laws. So if you go on holiday you have to plan and download everything in advance but they don’t tell you.

Utter waste of money and tbh I can’t believe you didn’t realise this before you bought, there are enough terrible reviews on the damn thing. There simply is no short cut. Buy and iPad.

Anything else you’ll regret.

Edited

How can you say you bought one which was shit and in the next breath say ‘tbh I can’t believe you didn’t realise this before you bought’. Double standards much?

Poppins21 · 30/12/2024 07:15

purpleblue2 · 30/12/2024 00:27

The Amazon tablets are dreadful in my opinion too so much so I got my daughter an iPad for her birthday in December! It’s the easiest tablet I can use and I’ve got parent locks on it.

This is what we did - an older model
ipad for Christmas. We thought about another tablet but didn’t want the faff as we know how to set up and use iPad with all the controls. Daughter was delighted she wanted Procreate. We have a small Amazon fire I got to replace a kindle - I never use it really it awful.

CheshireDing · 30/12/2024 07:13

It's ridiculous OP because a 6 year olds main present should be bike, scooter, trampoline etc, not an electronic device to sit watching trash on from such a young age.

OliveLeader · 30/12/2024 07:12

I’m not sure whether comments on whether a 6yo should have a tablet are helpful. OP is entitled to make whatever decisions she thinks are right for her family. If you want to have a discussion about screens for kids start a thread about it instead of hijacking an OP asking a specific question.