Apps and internet for a 9 year old boy (who doesn't read very fluently)

[BirthdayPlans]

DS is 9, I have to bribe him to sit still for the next 4 weeks due to injury. We were going to give him an old tablet for his birthday, but have decided to do it now, in the hope of getting him to calm down and avoid surgery...

He hates reading, has just moved onto Level 5. Also detests maths with a passion. Interested in physics, how things work, engineering, space etc He has some learning difficulties and is very, very aware of them so refuses 1:1, but will learn from iPad if no-one is watching him.

We have some maths apps but interested to hear of any good ones. Same with reading.

Do you let your 9 year olds onto the internet? I'm going to create a joint email (him and me) for him which I'll turn over to him at some point in the future. Should we be slowly letting him have access to youtube etc? Is there a way of specifying exactly what he is allowed to watch or is it better still not to let him at this age?

My children have really enjoyed an app called doodlemaths - it assesses were they’re at & then sets questions at an appropriate level.

No to you tube even with the restrictions on, it’s not safe for kids.

Ok, I'll keep the internet off limits. I do know some people who let their kids on it, but it seems too young for me. Wasn't sure if I was being too protective!

DD is 9yo (Y5) and doesn't have access to YouTube generally, she does have access to moderated age appropriate content via her Kindle Fire and an Amazon Kids Unlimited subscription.

We also have the YouTube Kids app, but it doesn't get used really (it's on our TV, not devices).

Apps my 9yo likes...

• Prodigy Maths: it's a platform game where you defeat baddies by getting maths questions right
• Inventioneers: a physics building game!
• Escape Quest games: logic puzzles to open the room door
• ScratchJr: learn to code in scratch, lots of online resources are available too, as are books with projects in
• Google Expeditions: you'll need a holder to put a phone in but you can pick up cardboard ones quite cheaply. You basically hold the phone up to your eyes and explore by turning your head. We had great fun exploring the space station, there's also underwater scenes etc.

Those sound good Purple. What's the catch with the maths one? Does it have in-app purchases? I'm always suspicious of free games!