Should kids be using tablets?
Tablets can be a fantastic tool for children, providing access to problem-solving games, creative apps, books, and homework resources that enhance learning. The best kids’ tablets also come with parental controls to help manage screen time and restrict access to inappropriate content.
What is a good age for a kid to get a tablet?
Knowing the right age to give a child a tablet is hard. But, you know your child best, and as long as it has parental controls in place, has a protective case, and they aren't glued to it every hour of the day, it should be OK from the toddler years, so long as you select an age-appropriate model and content.
Many sources say that children shouldn’t use tablets regularly until the age of two – and that, before that age, their use of screens should be very limited. This age limit is also worth bearing in mind when you're shopping for the best tablet for kids.
Whether we like it or not, screens and technology are now an intrinsic part of life. So teaching your little one about responsible use from a young age is a good idea. For younger ones, child-specific tablets are great as they are designed around small hands and rough and tumble. It's worth paying close attention to the comprehensive safety features and the fun and educational games and apps that are pre-loaded, too.
Related: The best school bags to buy, as rated by Mumsnetters
Is too much screen time dangerous for kids?
Too much screen time can be dangerous for kids so, as you would with phones and TV, it’s important to supervise your child’s tablet use and ensure they use it in moderation alongside other activities.
Whilst tablets can be educational, health experts warn that too much blue screen exposure can affect your child's sleep patterns and has a number of health risks. You can see Mumsnet user's hints and tips in our guide to responsible screen time.
This year, concerns around excessive screen use and social media exposure are growing. Mumsnet recently launched Rage Against the Screen, a campaign aimed at informing parents about smartphone and social media risks while advocating for stricter protections, including:
Enforced age limits for social media with real penalties for non-compliance.
Public health guidance on smartphone and app addiction.
Support for raising the ‘internet adulthood’ age from 13 to 16 via Josh MacAlister’s Safer Phones Bill.
To support parents, Mumsnet has teamed up with Dr. Becky Foljambe, NHS GP and Founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens and Dr. Sanjiv Nichani OBE, Senior Consultant Paediatrician at Leicester Children's Hospital to host expert-led AMAs, offering guidance on managing children’s screen time.
What are the recommended screen time limits for kids?
According to NHS-backed guidelines set out by experts at Health Professionals for Safer Screens, recommended screen time limits are:
Ages 2-5: Maximum 30 minutes per day and no screens two hours before bed.
Ages 6-10: 1-2 hours per weekday, up to 2 hours on weekends, and no screens in the first hour after waking.
Ages 11-17: 2 hours per weekday, 2-3 hours on weekends, and no screens in the first hour of the day.
While tablets can be a valuable learning tool, balance is key - setting clear limits early on helps children develop healthy digital habits.
Should my child be watching Youtube?
The decision on whether kids should use YouTube is complicated. There are both good and bad things about it.
On the plus side, YouTube can have educational and creative videos that are good for kids. They can learn new things and express themselves by making their own videos.
However, there are also risks. YouTube can show inappropriate or harmful content, even on seemingly harmless videos. Kids can also spend too much time watching videos and not get enough other activities.
The best approach is to set clear limits on YouTube use, use parental controls, and watch videos with your kids. Talk to them about what they're watching and help them think critically about online content.
Ultimately, it's up to parents to decide how much YouTube access is appropriate for their individual child. Moderation and supervision are key to balancing the potential benefits and risks.
How can I make sure my child is safe online?
If your child is using a tablet, it's important to have an open dialogue about screen use. Here are some tips to help keep them safe online:
Practice clear communication - Talking to your child about their internet and app use is a great place to start, confirming the websites that you are happy for your child to use and setting reasonable screen time limits. You can also teach your child some of the potential dangers, ensuring they do not share personal information or engage in private conversations with strangers.
Use parental controls - Most tablets come with a range of parental controls, allowing you to restrict access to certain websites, ensure age-appropriate content, prevent in-app purchases, adjust specific app settings or even limit the amount of time they actively spend online.
Supervise their activities - Keep a close eye on what they are doing, especially if your child is younger. By monitoring their online activity, you can ensure that they are using their devices in a safe and responsible way.
Avoid social media - For younger children, opt for YouTube Kids and avoid installing social media apps that could expose children to more adult content. You may also want to avoid private messaging apps such as Snapchat or WhatsApp.
What to look for in a kids’ tablet
Child-specific models: The best tablet for kids will have a brightly coloured tough case, robust parental rectrictions, safe web browsers and pre-loaded child-friendly apps and games. They may also come with a warranty that covers accidental damage.
Budget: It’s tempting to treat your little darlings to the best of the best, but buying a three-year-old an iPad Pro is pointless. They won’t appreciate the higher specifications, and it’s unlikely to survive the rough treatment they will give it. So instead, choose one of plenty of options of affordable tablets and only stretch your budget if the tablet in question will last for several years, for example, a kids’ edition that can transform into a tablet more suitable for a teenager.
Operating system: If your home already has many Amazon devices, your kids will likely enjoy the connectivity of an Amazon Fire tablet. Similarly, if you’re a Google home, you’re more likely to opt for an Android tablet. Apple iPads are more expensive, but they offer the broadest range of apps and will connect to existing iPhones and Homepods.
Camera: If your kids love taking photos and making funny videos, look for a tablet that has front and back cameras with the option for wide angles. The higher the MP (megapixel) number, the better image the camera will produce.
Parental controls: Child-specific tablets will have comprehensive controls or a parent dashboard. These will allow you to limit screen time, choose which apps and games your kids download, limit any communication options to approved users and set safety parameters on the web browser to avoid unlimited access.
Specifications: A tablet with impressive specifications isn’t necessary for most kids. Look for a RAM of at least 2GB, so their apps launch quickly and prevent glitches and time lag.
Battery life: A long battery life of around 10 hours means the tablet will be more suitable for travel, and your child won’t have to constantly use their tablet while it is plugged in and charging. Some tablets, like Amazon Fire, only charge via USB, whereas others can be plugged into the mains.
Screen: A small child will struggle to hold a 10-inch tablet– it will be too heavy and awkward for little hands. For toddlers, look for a model with a seven-inch screen and for teenagers, a 10-inch adult-size screen is ideal. Pay attention to pixels too – a 1,280 x 800-pixel screen is the minimum you need for a good quality still or moving image. OLED 2K tablet screens are only found on expensive tablets, but if your child is watching movies on their tablet, it might be worth the investment.
Warranty: One of the elements that make the Amazon Fire the best tablet for kids is the two-year warranty against faults and accidental damage. It’s a handy bonus when you’re planning to give one to a rambunctious toddler with no respect for the fragility of technical devices.
How much storage do I need for a kids' tablet?
For most children, storage specifications aren’t a priority. 32GB should be ample, but if they want to keep lots of photos, download music or enjoy having many apps on their tablet, 64GB is a better option.
If you’re investing in a tablet that you hope will last your child for a few years, consider one with a microSD card slot to increase the storage capacity should you need to.
Read next: Take an in-depth look at Mumsnetters' favourite family board games with our reviews of Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Dobble.
What's the difference between an android tablet and an iPad?
The main thing that sets them apart is the software they use. Android tablets run on Google's Android operating system, while iPads use Apple's own iOS/iPadOS software. This difference in software also affects the type of hardware used - Android tablets are made by lots of different companies, so the actual devices can vary a lot, while iPads are only made by Apple, so they are more consistent.
Another big difference is the overall ecosystem they're a part of. Android tablets work best with Google's apps and services, while iPads are designed to work seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, including things like iCloud and Mac computers. This also affects the apps you can get - Android tablets use the Google Play Store, while iPads use the Apple App Store.
Finally, the prices tend to be a bit different, too. Android tablets come in a wide range, from very affordable to quite expensive. iPads, on the other hand, are generally more expensive, especially the high-end iPad Pro models.
So in the end, the choice between an Android tablet and an iPad often comes down to personal preference and which ecosystem - Google's or Apple's - your family are already using and are more comfortable with. Both have their own advantages depending on your child's needs and preferences.
What tablet is best for a 6-year-old?
It depends on your budget, but we like the Amazon Fire Kids tablets for this age.
If you're not keen to splash out on the high-end Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids, designed for younger kids aged three to seven, is a great option. Marketed for age three to seven, it comes with durable case and you can also get the Pro version for the same price if you want something a little slimmer.
Amazon Fire Kids Edition or Fire Kids Pro – what’s the difference?
We took a detailed look at the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids and the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro to explore the differences.
When it comes to Amazon children's tablets, there’s not much difference between these two versions – the general rule is that the Amazon Fire Kids Edition is better for younger children (three to seven), whereas the Pro is better for school-age children (6 to 12 years old). Here are some of the features of each model:
Amazon Fire Kids Edition
Has a tough, hard-wearing case in a variety of colours.
The content on the Amazon Kids+ subscription is aimed at children between the ages of three and seven.
Comes with a two-year accidental damage and faults warranty.
The bumper case can be removed to look more like a ‘grown-up’ tablet.
It has the option of being used without parental controls.
Amazon Fire Kids Pro
It has a sleek, less babyish design.
The content on the Amazon Kids+ subscription is aimed at children between the ages of six and twelve.
Comes with a two-year accidental damage and faults warranty.
It has a flip-out stand so it can be placed upright.
There’s the option to allow older children extra autonomy over what they watch while still having comprehensive parental restrictions.
Which is the best tablet for kids to buy?
The Mumsnet Rated Badge-winning Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids' Pro Tablet is our pick of the best tablet for kids. It has a sophisticated design that older kids will appreciate and top-of-the-range parental control software.