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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that IPads/laptops for younger children are just ridiculous

424 replies

MummyGalore · 17/09/2012 14:19

I don't know if this has been covered before as not on here often so sorry if so.
But AIBU to be getting increasingly riled/concerned with the amount of mums who are talking about getting their children (I'm talking under 10s but some i know are buying them for children as young as 4!!!) Ipads and laptops for christmas. It riles me as i think that they are starving their children of their opportunity to learn through imaginative play. Simple toys are the best at that age, surely ipads are not a good option especially at 4.
What do others think?

OP posts:
SCOTCHandWRY · 17/09/2012 15:16

There is increasing evidence that the relentless exposure to screen time is changing the way we think. We gain perhaps in the breadth of knowledge and speed of mental connection, but lose out on depth.

I have read some of the research about this - the question is, "does it matter that it changes the way we think".

I have no doubt at all, that books and the advent of the printing press also changed the way our brains worked - are you all saying that's a bad thing? Technology changes us, and changes society - and we are always afraid of change!

TheCunningStunt · 17/09/2012 15:20

See mine don't want to spend hours on any one thing. They love to draw and play with boxes ignores cardboard city upstairs they like to do everything. I genuinely believe it's down to parenting. If you let them do it for hours, they will want to. Surely this debate is not about right and wrong, but about how you allow access? Technology has been around along time. Just the way we access it that's changing. As someone else said, screen time is screen time, you just monitor it.

WildWorld2004 · 17/09/2012 15:22

I dont see a problem with kids playing laptops/ipads and any other technology. However buying a young child their own one is a bit silly & unneccessary in my opinion.

Lambethlil · 17/09/2012 15:26

How old are your DCs OP?
Mine are teenagers and missesd out on the handheld technology situation. I was going to say craze, but it's not a craze- its the way it's going to be now.
I'm incredibly grateful such technology wasn't around. When to let them have handheld consuls/ iPads etc. is the only thing that friends with younger children ask advice on- not feeding, sleep, schools or friends, just when to let them.
I always say as late as you possibly can. Inevitably their child's best friend gets one and the parents give in- I'm not judging them harshly for it- id have done the same. It's a reverse arms race and does not benefit the child's development.

alibeenherealongtime · 17/09/2012 15:49

They are being issued to reception children where I live!

vintagewarrior · 17/09/2012 15:56

My DS age 4 has an ipad, with limited access every day, they use them in his classroom too. I personally think it is better than a nintendo DS which lots of children have age 4. He also spends s lot of time outside & doing other creative play. YABVU and narrow minded, which starves children more in my opinion.

ColouringIn · 17/09/2012 16:01

Am sure someone has mentions this already but iPads are fabulous for kids with SEN. My son is autistic and we have some fantastic autism friendly apps on the shared iPad. I definitely would not buy him one of his own though.....part of his autism means he throws things if frustrated!

LordGiveMeStrength · 17/09/2012 16:07

This may have already been stated, but technology is now part of the Early Years Foundation Stage and all our children are assesssed as to their comfort with technology from about the age of 2.

Elderwand · 17/09/2012 16:10

My 4yo loves my IPad, it's so educational and she has learnt a lot. My 2 yo also starting to show an interest!

mrswoz · 17/09/2012 16:10

We bought one for DD last year at Christmas, was her combined Christmas and third birthday present from us. She was also given an iTunes voucher which allowed us to choose some educational apps for her. I think it has been incredibly useful and at the end of the day, we as her parents control whether she is allowed to use it at any given time! Yes occasionally I'll let her watch abney and teal on the iplayer, but when and how often this happens is up to ME not her.

Her imaginative play has not suffered and today is a perfect example, I have been given several pretend meals from her kitchen and countless times have been told 'right you be Buzz, I'll be Jessie'.

It doesn't need to turn into a competition between children, or a quest to constantly try and outdo the previous years' presents, this year DD will most likely have a £40-50 present and it will be DS' turn for an iPad. He is 6. It's not about the money though really, it is about the fact that this is the way things are moving forward and nothing we consciously do as parents is going to change that. We have a responsibility to ensure our children are equipped for this, where circumstances allow. We didn't have a family holiday this year.

The reason we went for an iPad rather than a cheaper non-Apple tablet was that DS' school (which DD will also attend next year) uses Macs in their computer suite and we all wanted to familiarise ourselves with the format, DH and I had no previous Apple experience at all.

Lonecatwithkitten · 17/09/2012 16:18

I didn't want to rush into one with DD. However, when school started to set homework on the Mathletics site it became necessary. Not because I didn't want to share mine, but because mine is linked to our work practice managment system and has access to sensitive information yes it has separate passwords for that etc. However, I didn't want to run the risk. She got a reconditionned laptop that cost 100 pounds for christmas. She understands it was expensive it is only ever used sat down on a level surface and would never be taken near a trampoline etc.

LadyInDisguise · 17/09/2012 16:22

all our children are assesssed as to their comfort with technology from about the age of 2.

Perhaps that's where it's going wrong? especially when at the same time, parents are told that they should limit screen time etc...
Technology is just that. We learnt quickly how to use it even though we didn't have computer when we were young. My own grand dad who is over 90yo actively uses computer, skype etc... Where is the need to teach children so young how to use a computer on the ground that... they might not learn how to use one?

not all countries are that keen on technology, some are actually very reluctant to have technology ion classroom etc... it doesn't mean these children don't now how to use a computer or that they can't cope with our technology era.

Prarieflower · 17/09/2012 16:23

McPhee my ds 8 has pooled all his bday money for an Ipod touch,he has £40 off us.It's literally all he's having.He looks after things incredibly well. He reads a massive amount,plays the piano and is always out on his bike.He has screen time 3X a week. Can't see the problem.

SummerRain · 17/09/2012 16:23

DS1 is 6 and has wanted a tablet since last year.... he'll probably get it this year.
DD is 7 and is contemplating a laptop.

They're being raised in a technological era, more and more school are using laptops and tablets in place of books and no matter what career they choose they'll have to know how to use technology. I don't see the harm in letting them start young.

My father was a tech-head long before it was cool or normal... I was raised with PCs and it has given me an advantage over others in many respects.

There's a difference between giving them a laptop and teaching them how to use it and how to take care of it appropriately and giving them a laptop and letting them run wild with it on a trampoline!

LadyInDisguise · 17/09/2012 16:24

We have a responsibility to ensure our children are equipped for this, where circumstances allow
seriously do you think that for children to be comfortable with computers they need to have a personal computer/ipad at home?

FiveHoursSleep · 17/09/2012 16:25

We have 4 iPads and 4 kids, they have saved our sanity while travelling. The youngest has been using an iPad since he was 2, and we've had our first smashed screen this year when he dropped it on a slate floor.
The iPads don't specifically belong to the kids but they certainly use them...

Craftyone · 17/09/2012 16:25

YANBU ? Lots of parents are in denial about the effects of all these gadgets on their children. In many cases they are often used as parent substitutes, but no one will ever admit it.

Prarieflower · 17/09/2012 16:27

I think the problem arises if you're weak in your parenting.If you have these lovely things and can't say no it will be a problem.I'm ruthless.They have screentime 3X a week(more if there is some prject on the go eg Raspbery Pi.We won't be having an XBox,Wii etc as all 3 have dsis and tbh with playing,hobbies,sport etc they wouldn't have the time plus we all like watching films as a family.

I'm suspecting we'll get Ipads eventually if only to cart books around,as a family of 5 we read a lot.Ds 8 is v inventive so he'd get a lot out of an Ipad.I like the way you can snuggle up together on the sofa with them.

Lambethlil · 17/09/2012 16:28

mrswoz You bought a 2/3 year old an iPad over a family holiday?
I don't know how to say this because you've obviously thought deeply about this, but really, I can't agree.

zlist · 17/09/2012 16:28

I don't think I would specifically buy an ipad or laptop for a child but in our household that are pretty standard items (due to the industry my DH works in). DH has 'his' ipad that he uses for work and we have our own things in our studys that the children are not allowed to touch but beyong that there are more ipads and other computers than people in the house - we all just hop on the one closest to hand for non work related things.
I do find myself explaining the excess with people who are visiting for the first time though...

Inneedofbrandy · 17/09/2012 16:29

I expect this is what will be discussed on the Write stuff tomorrow.....

AngelWreakinHavoc · 17/09/2012 16:30

Every child in my dc School (primary age) have ipads and ipod touch, They have great aps on them to encourage learning.

Prarieflower · 17/09/2012 16:31

Ds 8 went to the Ipad training session in the Apple store with grandma and was the best one there,they couldn't keep up.Grin

He's researched into everything for my mum re the Ipad and he's her first port of call with all Ipad stuff.He doesn't have one(and won't for a while as we're not loaded) but grandma let him have the Apple bag which he cherishes.GrinSad

Lambethlil · 17/09/2012 16:31

fivehours maybe there's a really critical difference between 3 and 4, but I bet I've travelled further with mine without any screens or any sanity threatening episodes.
Sorry, but there is an awful lot of denial on this thread.

matana · 17/09/2012 16:32

YANBU

My niece began using my sister's ipad when she was 2.5. By the time she was 2.6 she had smashed the screen. Their choice of course and they earn the money to afford to replace it. But it's not my preference.

We're buying my DS an InnoTab2 for his 2nd birthday because they are made specifically for children and are much more 'robust' (not to mention cheaper) than an ipad. I do think they have a place in keeping them entertained on long journeys and are educational, but i wouldn't be buying such a young person something expensive and fragile.

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