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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that 6 is too young for a tablet?

68 replies

DeathByLaundry · 14/11/2013 11:02

DS says he's going to ask Santa for a tablet. It's a moot point because we can't afford one, but he tells me lots of his friends have them.

I was honest with him and said that I didn't think he was old enough, and that he's not yet good enough at regulating himself when he plays computer games for me to want him to have free access to his own tablet.

Is he going to be ostracised for being the uncool kid? DH has a little old tablet which DS is allowed to play on sometimes, and we both let him play on our phones occasionally. We have a Wii too so it's not like he has no technology at home.

OP posts:

tedmundo · 14/11/2013 14:26

I knew you would see that as a negative comment and it really wasn't. I merely wanted to point out that not all 5 yr olds will react to their allotted time being up with a tantrum. Or hitting. Yours does. Mine doesn't.

Compliant?! I wish. He still pees his pants sometimes. Drives me nuts!

Chopstheduck · 14/11/2013 14:29

the throwing on the floor thing reminds me of the twins at 3 or so. Their uncle bought them DSs, despite us telling him they were too young for them. One of them decided to clean his with soap and water when it got dirty - point proved!

MostWicked · 14/11/2013 14:48

If you give a child a tablet, it doesn't mean that you are giving them unlimited access to it.
When my kids were 6, we had a TV, but that didn't mean they were allowed to watch it all the time.
There's nothing wrong with a 6yr having a tablet. As a parent, it's up to you how you manage it.

DuckToWater · 14/11/2013 14:53

DD2 (4.5) is getting a Tesco one, but her older sister (8) is getting one too. I probably wouldn't bother for the younger one yet otherwise.

Neither have actually asked for one, mind, but I'm confident they will like them due to the frequency with which mine, my iPod and phone are borrowed. I can put some music and books on there for them and they can download a few games. Will make sure a password is required for purchases so they always have to ask. Will put films on there for when we go on holiday.

Mim78 · 14/11/2013 14:55

I think it's a personal choice too, and of course down to what you can afford. No way all the kids in DD's class will have a tablet by the time they are six - there will be lots who can't afford one and others who are quite traditional and think it's not good for them - feel we have quite a wide social/economic range going on.

DD likes to use my tablet, which is new in our house, but she doesn't have her own. She is 5. I did get it thinking it would be useful to her as well as to me, but thought a grown up one that she could use was better than a kids one that might have limitations. She does love using it though. I haven't had to limit it particularly as thank goodness there are lots of other things she enjoys - the last time she used it was Saturday when we were stuck in a traffic jam - quite useful as I was able to fall asleep - dh was driving - I am pg so always falling asleep!

Tablet's main use so far as been dh watching telly on it, which probably means it was not great value for money as we have a TV!

That said I think you can get quite cheap ones but not researched the market.

WannabeFayeMouse · 14/11/2013 14:56

I wouldn't think he'd be ostracised. Some children do have them, but I would think those that don't are in the (vast?) majority.

My DPs very kindly suggested getting my DDs (9 and 6) kindles (we have issues getting access to English language books), but I said no on the basis it's an expensive thing for them to have responsibility for at their ages. tbh I feel the same way about phones, and even for older DC. I would have been terrified to have such an expensive and small losable/damageable thing to look after when I was a kid. But I am REALLY clumsy (and so is DD2 )

Mim78 · 14/11/2013 14:57

PS I don't think dd would have asked for a tablet at 5 if I hadn't got one - she never has mentioned them.

We don't have a Wii or anything similar though.

Mim78 · 14/11/2013 14:58

Wannabe in my experience kindle's are really easy to break - DH has one and two have been broken so far - one by him, one by me! They do replace them for less than the original cost though.

newfavouritething · 14/11/2013 14:59

I've deliberated this one for a while although my youngest is just 7. They already have a ds each - someone kindly gave the youngest one when he was just 5 (had made the big one wait til 7th birthday, so it felt a bit wrong). Decided to get them one each, which still makes me wobble a bit - used Tesco points so actual cash price mot too bad. They have 2hrs screentime a day (not counting stuff done in lessons), and seem quite happy with that, so new technology won't make them any less social than they already are.

daisychain01 · 14/11/2013 15:02

In theory and esp on MN it appears that no age is too young to have a tablet. I say in theory because if used in a controlled manner with regular breaks, for educational purposes and a little gaming there may be benefits. However if asked for my opinion I think 6 is too young to make the investment if you are tight on cash.

Technology moves a-pace and this year's hot gadget could go out of favour and you end up investing in something that seemed like a good idea at the time only to be abandoned for the next fad esp for kids so young.

Will you be prepared to be able to control a child's habit or could it get out of hand? Is £100-300 money well spent? How does it really help children develop, any better than games books or just outdoor activities do? These are the kind of questions we have asked ourselves.

Opinions being so varied on here means you probably need to weight things up as regards your own specific family situation

Apple, Samsung, etc will always have you believe your DCS must have one...but they would say that wouldn't they! our D'S doesn't by choice but that's just him. He hasn't lost out.

pointyfangs · 14/11/2013 15:55

I don't think he's too young per se, but equally it isn't important that he should have one - it won't ruin his social life.

My DDs had DSs at 6 and 8 and were restricted on how much time they could have from day one - and that meant none at all on weekdays. It's never been a problem.

They're getting a 3DS for Christmas this year, subject to the same limitations, and occasionally I will let them play Temple Run on my Nexus during the week, but only for 10 minutes at a time. Limiting screen time isn't an issue if you start it young.

pointyfangs · 14/11/2013 15:56

However, I should add that if your DC shows signs of becoming addicted that's a different thing entirely, and I'm sure some children are just susceptible to that sort of thing - in which case it's best to avoid as much as possible.

CrohnicallyTired · 14/11/2013 17:32

For those of you saying 'I'll make sure a password is required for purchases", please be aware that on ipad/iphones, once the password is entered, it stays active for 15 minutes. Meaning that there is a 15 minute window for accidental purchases to be made. I think this can be turned off in settings.

flipchart · 14/11/2013 17:43

I don't think it is too young.

Just to mention I work in a centre for children from the age of 5with complex disabilities and we have 3 iPads and a couple of other tablets and they re brilliant for children. Some love the musics apps ( playing a keyboard is a favourite ) some like the colouring ones such s finger painting, we read stories to them, we use it for taking photos and pringting.
I would say the sooner the better really. Just make sure you buy protective case! £35 well spent on each of those.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/11/2013 18:30

Agree with others who have said you do what you feel is right for your children. DD1 is 6 in Jan and has had one of my ex-iPads for about a year. She watches it/plays with it about once a week, never on a school night, and when time is up, it's up. She's pretty good about not pushing it and treats it with respect.

However, I'm not even aware of them discussing iPads in school amongst themselves and I have no idea whether her friends have them or not. We're a gadgety family so she was always going to have these things from the off. Others aren't. There's no right or wrong answer.

elskovs · 14/11/2013 18:38

I think you are wrong to compare an ipad with a shitty Wii. Or a Nintendo DS.

Lots of people say to me mine are too young for ipads, but then they have DSs for their kids. Or Wiis. I don't see the difference.

I don't see the point in unnamed tablets but ipads are amazing for all ages IMO

I don't think it will make him uncool though, most people I know don't buy their kids ipads.

spanky2 · 14/11/2013 18:41

We have just got ds2 age 6 a Klastor tablet. It is the one with the lower memory as we have got a memory card. £59 I think.

charleybarley · 14/11/2013 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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