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Original poster

Ipod touch for 9 year old birthday

54 replies

moid · 25/07/2010 17:06

DS1 wants a Nintendo DS for his birthday but we don't want to get him one because of the cost of the games on top.

We are thinking of an IPOD touch instead as all the games are just a couple of pounds. He loves DH's Iphone.

It is expensive but his uncle is going to contribute.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Rockbird · 25/07/2010 17:10

Depends. How careful is he? They're fairly fragile and one drop on the floor could shatter the screen (bitter voice of experience). Also I wouldn't let him take it around with him, although I guess a 9yo doesn't go that many places on his own.

TBH I would probably hold off for a year or so, my niece is about to turn 8 and I wouldn't trust her with one. Maybe that year makes a big difference?

Helpful me!

Original poster
moid · 25/07/2010 17:14

He is fairly careful and I would certainly not let him take it out and about. It would be for use with us in car journeys, holidays etc...

Am oscillating though..... as he is gadget boy.

OP posts:
123andaway · 25/07/2010 18:03

I would say go for it! But then I am an iAddict [pats iPhone and iPad affectionately]!!!!
I am considering iTouches as birthday pressies for my two who will be 8 and 10 in November. And you're right about the games, they are good value compaired to what you get for the DS/PSP etc.
When I first synced my iPad it transferred everything from my iTunes that I have on my iPhone, which was great as I didn't have to buy all the apps again. I just deleted the ones I didn't want on there.

said · 25/07/2010 18:08

I think possibly too young. If he's very very careful then maybe? My then 12 year old got one - screen cracked within weeks, lost within 9 months.

lemaillotjeune · 25/07/2010 18:11

We have one, but I wouldn't give it to my 9yo.

I'd go with the DS and ask family to get the games.

starshaker · 25/07/2010 18:13

my dd got 1 for her christmas and she was 4. Best thing i have ever bought her

lemaillotjeune · 25/07/2010 18:15

What does she use it for?

PosieParker · 25/07/2010 18:17

If you get the DS can't you get someone to get an R4 card and download some games for free, bit illegal.

starshaker · 25/07/2010 18:17

She watches dora and loads of other cartoons on it and plays games. It was either that or a portable dvd player and the ipod won since i had most of the stuff on my phone anyway. Ment my memory got freed up alot lol

oneofthosedays · 25/07/2010 19:18

We did the R4 card for DD's DS too and she bought a few other games with money she'd saved. She really doesn't need anymore games at all. Don't know anything about itouches tho!

Bobbalina · 25/07/2010 19:21

My 10 year old had one for xmas

Has had more use than her nintendo DS tbh but be warned she still monopolises my iphone...

AnnoyingOrange · 25/07/2010 19:29

I think it's a great precent

my 8 yr old is very careful with dh's touch

AnnoyingOrange · 25/07/2010 19:30

present

hairytriangle · 25/07/2010 20:40

personally, I wouldn't buy such an expensive gift for a nine year old, but I'm probably out of touch.

Jasonthunderpants · 25/07/2010 21:04

no he is 9
buy him an airfix kit of a Lancasterbomber

SandStorm · 25/07/2010 21:56

I'm with hairytriangle here. My DD1 has an ipod touch which was a present but she paid half of it from her pocket money savings and she's 12.

EmmaKateWH · 25/07/2010 22:01

I wouldn't buy him one even if you could easily afford it. Its too much for a child. Get him a more age appropriate toy- rather than a high tech adult gadget. If you can't afford a DS then you can't afford it. My Mum and DAd couldn't always afford the latest high tech toy when we were kids and I would hardly describe my loving childhood as deprived!

EmmaKateWH · 25/07/2010 22:02

I wouldn't buy him one even if you could easily afford it. Its too much for a child. Get him a more age appropriate toy- rather than a high tech adult gadget. If you can't afford a DS then you can't afford it. My Mum and DAd couldn't always afford the latest high tech toy when we were kids and I would hardly describe my loving childhood as deprived!

Lynli · 25/07/2010 22:17

I bought my one for my DS when he was 8. I bought him a laptop when he was five. All children are different and if you think he would enjoy it and respect it then there is no reason not to buy it.

Earlybird · 26/07/2010 20:04

I wouldn't. But then, I am old-fashioned and think dc should read, draw, run, swim, play imaginative games etc.

Dd is 9, and she certainly gets screen time (telly, wii, ds/dvd on journeys), but I don't want to place too much emphasis on electronics.

That being said, dd's friends who have the latest gadgets certainly have a social cachet that her peers envy.

LadyBiscuit · 26/07/2010 20:09

I think expensive gadgets are for adults, not children. If you want to buy them something to play games, I'd get a PSP or something. At least a games thing is just that. An itouch means they can log onto the internet wherever there's wifi and I'd be worried about teh lack of parental controls (I don't know if you can get them for iphones)

staranise · 26/07/2010 20:19

I've got one and my DDs love it but I agree with PP, I consider it to be a gadget for adults, not a toy for under-10s (not to mention the expense and fragility of it).

When I first got mine I gave it to DD when we were on holiday to play a game - I found her five mins later watching something highly unsuitable but I'd no idea that a four year old would know how to access YouTube - my fault really I know, but I learnt a lesson about young children and access to Wifi .

My DDs use mine to listen to audiobooks and play games/music but I think the screen is way too small for them to watch films etc. I do love mine however.

orienteerer · 26/07/2010 20:20

NO

orienteerer · 26/07/2010 20:20

NO

scaryteacher · 26/07/2010 20:20

Offered ds (14) an ipod touch for Christmas, but he turned it down as he would get more use from the ipod nano he got in the end. He preferred having more room for songs and audiobooks on the ipod. Mind you, he does has a PSP, a PS2, PS3 and computer as well....he also reads loads though.

He has buggered an ipod already, so he at 14 had reservations about how robust the ipod touch would be having seen a friend's.