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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be surprised that a 19 month old could do this?

50 replies

BoredHorse · 03/06/2013 19:54

I visited a friend the other day and her LO picked up her IPhone, swiped the lock screen to unlock it, swiped the menu a couple of times until she got to a child's game , selected it and started playing it.

It just seemed strange watching such a small child being able to do this. It was quite impressive. It also made me feel a bit inadequate as a parent as my 18 month old wouldn't have a clue how to do it....

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 03/06/2013 19:56

Eldest DGC could do that. Youngest can't.
Difference is, eldest was/is fascinated by technology, youngest couldn't care less.

Nothing to worry or even care about, really.

JacqueslePeacock · 03/06/2013 19:56

It probably just means her child has spent an awful lot of time playing on the phone!

pigletmania · 03/06/2013 19:56

Ds 16 months can knd of do the same, he gets tote ga tan I have to work it for him.

BrianButterfield · 03/06/2013 19:57

It's just a learned sequence of movements though - DS could find Netflix on my tablet and select Thomas at that age but it's just that he has a good memory, not really a skill.

Sparrowlegs248 · 03/06/2013 19:57

I am constantly amazed by one of my friends children being able to navigate youtube for music videos and an ipad, aged 3. They could also do what you mention at a very young age. So no, yanbu!

looseleaf · 03/06/2013 19:59

I'd be totally amazed if DS did this (22months). He hasn't really played with an iPhone but even so!

Original poster
BoredHorse · 03/06/2013 20:01

As I say I was surprised and impressed...maybe it's because all my LO wants to do with my iPhone is chew it, soak it in slobber or throw it on the tiled kitchen floor...

OP posts:
AllegraLilac · 03/06/2013 20:02

Its a pivotal skill in the 21st Century. Good for the kid.

OHforDUCKScake · 03/06/2013 20:03

Not strange at all. My 2 year old first swipe opened my iphone when he was 6 months, much tl the shock of me and my two friends who were sat there at the time, it was mouths open "did he just do that?!"

And it just continued. By a year he was opening it, sliding it across and selecting games. He has just turned two and gets involved in games now, i.e doesnt just have the pressing animal games that he had before.

Tiredsparrow · 03/06/2013 20:03

I think it's just a sign of the times.

My children all play and can fully function the iPad and my iphone (ages 3 & 1.5)

they do however try and swipe the tv, because that is what they are used to - everything being touch screen.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 03/06/2013 20:05

DS could do that at that age. He can now at the age of 3 switch on my computer and get on to chess and play a game (he hasn't won yet, but he gives it a good go lol).
DD on the other hand couldn't do that sort of thing till she was nearly 6. For my DC it is down to exposure. With DD we didn't have iphone's or a laptop that she had any access to.

Startail · 03/06/2013 20:06

DD2 could navigate CBeebieswebsite at 3. She did it all from memory not reading as she went via the Welsh Twennies bit.

She's 12 so iPods came after she was a toddler.

Original poster
BoredHorse · 03/06/2013 20:09

I think it is a sign of the times definitely.
Suppose you are right about exposure too. She isnt particularly interested in it and to be honest I don't trust my LO with the iPhone (aka my precious MN source) as she is such a rough and tumble child it just wouldn't survive!

OP posts:
BombayBlue · 03/06/2013 20:21

I remember using my dads dictaphone when I was around that age, chatting away to my 'friend' and playing it back. Slightly less advanced, but just moving with the times, I suppose... They watch and learn.

HerrenaHarridan · 03/06/2013 20:33

At 18 mo my friends ds hacked their iPad! No shit, he had been swiping to access and playing games on it and was getting addicted so his dad but a pin lock on it. He put the pin in in front of him once and he copied it next time he found it locked!

This is a particularly silly age to compare kids though, the bracket if normal is MASSIVE

Just let them be kids Smile

Fairyegg · 03/06/2013 20:38

My dd could open my iPad and select her favourite games from About 15 months. It's not something I'm proud of though, slightly embrassed in fact.

HollyBerryBush · 03/06/2013 20:48

Quite normal these days. We are a media driven society.

I suppose oodles of years ago, Mrs Ugg sat with Mrs Grunt and marvelled that Baby Ugg could use a flint to break open a nut.

FredFredGeorge · 03/06/2013 21:37

HollyBerryBush Bloody 'ell Did Mrs Grunt not care about allergies at all?

oscarwilde · 03/06/2013 21:42

Quite normal, v funny to watch them try to 'swipe' the tv though Grin

Picturepuncture · 03/06/2013 21:46

My DN can do this at 18 months. He can also go to specific kiddie apps if you ask him too- eg, open the cat one, or do the colouring one. He can easily switch between apps as well. He is also a master of the iPad 4finger swipe- but I'm not convinced he knows how he's doing that one ifyswim.

It is pretty cool to see! Also, he only has access to an iPad approx once a week for 10 mins at a time (when he sees me! And I let him!), so it hasn't been hard for him to learn.

ComeAlongPond · 03/06/2013 21:48

I've also heard that ipads and ipods are designed in such a way that they are very intuitive to small children. Not sure if it's deliberate (or even true!) but it's been mentioned to me a few times by some very techy friends.

MortifiedAdams · 03/06/2013 21:49

Dd ia 17mo and seems pretty good at stuffI would expect a toddler to be able to but all she does with my phone is pick it up and say "look" which means she wants me to show her the photos on there.

She couldnt use it herself but thats becauee I've never given it to her to play with and dont ever intend to.

Doubtfuldaphne · 03/06/2013 21:51

My 2.5 yr old can do this too - my dh finds it really unsettling!
She actually showed me how to lock the screen and some short cuts on the iPhone too. It's quite incredible

kim147 · 03/06/2013 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McNewPants2013 · 03/06/2013 21:58

My dd has been able to do it since she was 2.5 she is now 4.

Those with iPhones ect I would turn off in app purchases, because in the media there has been a few kids who have spent hundreds of pound buying in app purchases.

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