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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think there are better presents for a one year old than...

64 replies

guiltynetter · 09/12/2014 07:33

a tablet?

this isn't exactly a TAAT but i was reminded of it. when I asked a friend the other day what she was getting her 11 month old (1 in January) for Christmas she replied 'a tablet so he can play games on it, he loves playing on mine'

AIBU to think this is just sad? all of the wonderful toys he could play with at 1...train sets, mega blocks, etc etc and he's getting basically a computer! I keep looking at toys and being disappointed my daughter is too young to play with them (she's 4 months) it's none of my business but after being around my niece who from the age of 4 wouldn't play with 'toys' only an iPad, compared to my other niece who has a brilliant imagination and plays for hours with dolls and ponies. I think it's rubbish.

maybe I'm old fashioned...

OP posts:

ILoveSimonCowell · 09/12/2014 07:39

You are not old-fashioned. It's very sad (and IMO stupid) to get an iPad for an 11 month old.

MonstersIncq · 09/12/2014 07:40

You'll get flamed for this and called a snob. But I couldn't agree more. Yes bla bla this is the modern way, get with the times, computer skills are essential nowadays. But it is just so grim. I know children who barely speak they are so screen dependant. I don't personally
Let my children use an iPad. I don't think it's unreasonable to allow them to play on yours a little bit (i do appreciate not everyone feels
The same about screens as I do) but how much must they be on it to need one of their own!!

Timeforabiscuit · 09/12/2014 07:40

I don't know - we have a mix of tech and tradition in this house, as for a pad for a one year old why not?

At that age it is barely more than a square that provides pretty lights and sounds (rather than traditional plastic squawk).

There seems to be a whole spectrum of play movements at the moment - I did raise an eyebrow when dds nursery slung all their (perfectly good) plastic toys in favour of a mud kitchen, pebbles and wooden blocks - they still kept a small DVD player for mid afternoon though

FunkyBoldRibena · 09/12/2014 07:41

Yes open access to porn and some nice early grooming. How wonderful.

Kids get enough computers these days - what they need to stimulate their development is anything but.

soverylucky · 09/12/2014 07:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bakingtins · 09/12/2014 07:53

I'm with you op but I think ribena is being hysterical - any tablet for a one yr old is unlikely to have open internet access.
My older children (8&4) have restricted access to a family iPad but I wouldn't let them have their own tablet, DS etc because they would never be off the thing, to the detriment of reading, lego, playmobil, drawing, imaginative play etc. baby DD has no need of it whatsoever.

cantmakecarrotcake · 09/12/2014 08:03

DD (3) had a Hudl for her last birthday. She has restricted access to only the apps we have downloaded for her and doesn't have free access to the tablet itself (high shelf and she can't work the switch).

I'd say she uses it once a week (out of sight...) but it's very useful for number/letter games and for accompanying me to antenatal appointments.

But YANBU, I think 1 is too young and there are far more important physical/motor development skills for a 1yo to learn.

shellbyville · 09/12/2014 08:04

I'm with you OP. My DS is 3 and BOTH sets of grandparents have got him a tablet for Christmas. We've got one that he uses, but it's "daddy's" tablet, but these will be his so much harder to restrict, I'm imagining. I'm hoping to hide them when he gets distracted by all his other presents, and conveniently forgets he's even got them for a while!

Littleturkish · 09/12/2014 08:06

YANBU is this part of what makes our children grow up too soon?

I loved playing with barbies, puppies in my pocket and dolls- for far longer than was probably expected, too!

I also worry about the strain on eyes.

Littlef00t · 09/12/2014 08:12

I may sound hysterical, but research shows too much screen time, esp for under 2s enlarges a part of the brain that responds to the colours and stimulus, basically making the brain require more input to be happy. It has been shown to lead to ADHD as the child's brain becomes wired to need more stimulus so standard school lessons etc don't cut it.

Littlef00t · 09/12/2014 08:14

Actually, just googled and seems research may be outdated now. But still think it's sad child not being encouraged in creative play.

LikeTheShoes · 09/12/2014 08:15

ribena how exactly does one groom a 1 year old?

GothMummy · 09/12/2014 08:19

I think its sad. I would get him a teddy bear!

LST · 09/12/2014 08:20

That's ridiculous. We got my 3 yo a leappad xdi thingy majig but for my 11 mo no way! He's got a grand total of 5 presents.. wooden blocks, wooden cars that you string together, a plastic box to put the shapes in the holes effort, a pop up wooden toy and a knitted fox a colleague makes. He'll have more fun playing with the paper and my 3yo hoard!

MiaowTheCat · 09/12/2014 08:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyLuck10 · 09/12/2014 08:27

Yanbu it is so sad. What's worse is those people who get sucked in and spout the 'it's good for stimulation' nonsense.

Mousefinkle · 09/12/2014 08:31

Yanbu. Using a parents occasionally, whatever. It's similar to watching the odd TV programme IMO but actually buying them their own? What a waste of money.

I dont really 'get' tablets anyway, sort of a middle ground between phones and laptops and some people have both of those but still see the need for a tablet as well. Just confuses me.

Sallystyle · 09/12/2014 08:43

YANBU

An iPad for a one year old is crazy! I am a huge geek, I love my technology and my children love theirs too. We have a whole range of tablets/computers between us. But at 1 years old??? that's just ridiculous. They can't really appreciate it and very unlikely they will really look after it.

IPads etc are big ticket items for mine, a present to get when they are a bit older and actually ask for one. Like my teens for example, who aren't really into clothes and too old for toys.

Original poster

guiltynetter · 09/12/2014 09:04

so glad it's not just me. :)

OP posts:

Wolfbasher · 09/12/2014 09:06

I wouldn't give a tablet to my 7yo, let alone a 1yo. I think screen time is something that needs to be controlled. A child who has unrestricted screen time from birth is going to find it hard to break the habit as they get older.

munchkinmaster · 09/12/2014 09:11

But why does a toddler need their own I pad. My year old has a couple of apps bought for a plane journey and a toothbrushing one which has been is helpful but she no more needs her own tablet than her own tv for cbeebies or her own microwave.

Miggsie · 09/12/2014 09:13

Very bad for eye development - and the restriction to the motor function in arms and fingers.
A young child needs to exercise their developing nervous system not sit with a tablet!

My DD is 11 and has no phone or tablet. Developmentally she seems to be doing fine.

Micksy · 09/12/2014 09:13

I think it very much depends on whether they at playing on it alone, or with an adult. If you're sharing an app that makes animal sounds, how is this any different to sharing a book that makes animal sounds? If you're leaving them watching sponge Bob tied to a chair for five hours, clearly this is not quite so good.

EbwyIsUpTheDuff · 09/12/2014 09:18

my 4 year old has been playing games on mine for a while, invaluable for time waiting at hospitals or dentists etc... but not an every day thing. He's getting his own (children's) tablet this year, but even then it'll be restricted. my 2 year old MAY be allowed to use it on a rare occasion, but I don't see the need to let a 1 year old use it.

Neverbuyheliumbalonz · 09/12/2014 09:18

They use mine on occasions (waiting room at the doctors usually) and I'd quite like mine not to be constantly pinched to be honest

If they are only being used 'on occassions' then they are not being 'constantly pinched' are they?

This is what I said on the other thread - that parents seem to justify buying it because they are tired of the kids usin their all the time, whilst simultaneously reassuring everyone that they limit screen time to 5 minutes a day.

I just think if you get your 2 year old a tablet, then you are setting yourself up for huge gift expectations every year. What will you get them when they are 9/10/11 etc? You will just end up trying to better yourself with the latest technology every year, and last year's 300 quid iPad will end up chucked in the bin.

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