Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fitbit as a present for a 10yr old?

39 replies

Bambambini · 10/07/2015 11:41

More of a query really. 10 yr old likes my Fitbit and has asked for one. Birthday coming up - views really on whether this is an appropriate present for a child. Will double as a watch but should a 10 yr old be focussing on how many steps taken, heart rate, calories burned etc?

Just need some views before I buy it, thanks.

OP posts:
Giraffodil · 10/07/2015 11:43

I'd say no tbh. A 10 year old does not need to be worrying about calories etc. Maybe just a nice watch?

Original poster
Bambambini · 10/07/2015 12:20

Thanks, though don't think they'd really take notice of the calorie count.

OP posts:
ginghambunny · 10/07/2015 12:22

Absolutely not. Unless you want to facilitate an eating disorder / body dysmorphia

Mistigri · 10/07/2015 12:24

A 10 year old might not worry about calories now but it's a slippery slope.

My 14 yo has had a mild eating disorder for the last year or so, and she won't use a Fitbit because she knows it encourages her to focus unhealthily on calories and exercise.

What about a more general sports watch that incorporates a stop watch etc but which is less tied into the whole calorie-counting thing?

TidyDancer · 10/07/2015 12:26

Definitely inappropriate imo.

Kreeshsheesh · 10/07/2015 12:29

I would go for it. My dd loves my and dh's fitbits. She's 9. My 6 yr old ds wore it in school to count the steps one day. I think it's great to encourage gentle exercise. You can ignore the kcals and just look at the steps. OP you know how they work; can't see any reason why having a Fitbit at age 9 could cause body dysmorphia or anorexia - both serious mh issues with a number of complex causal factors.

TidyDancer · 10/07/2015 13:32

Actually now that I think about it, it might be okay-ish if you went for the right one. The flex doesn't display anything other than lights and the sync feature can be customised on your phone/computer to not show calories, rather only steps and distance etc. I definitely wouldn't allow a child one where they could keep track of calories throughout the day though.

Original poster
Bambambini · 10/07/2015 16:11

Yes, the calorie display is the biggest issue though I'm interested to see how many calories I burn through a day. I think the steps, disstance and stairs climbed could be good to show kids how active they are from day to day. I can see that some could become a bit obsessed with it - me and the husband are always trying to outdo each other and will jog on the spot or round the kitchen isle to get ahead and up our steps.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 10/07/2015 16:15

Pedometer instead?

WorraLiberty · 10/07/2015 16:19

I think it's a good idea.

Kids are always being taught about health and fitness in school. I wouldn't automatically assume they'll focus on the calories, when there are so many other things to focus on.

I think that's probably more of an adult thing/projection really.

hannibalismisunderstood · 10/07/2015 16:21

why don't you get something like this instead - tracks the activity and not the calories and is a bit 'cooler' for a 10 year old...

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L3ODLP8

Original poster
Bambambini · 10/07/2015 16:28

Hannibal - just looked at the reviews for that and one parent gave it 5 star even though they enclosed a photo of their child's arm burnt from the strap - yikes.

OP posts:
DowntownFunk · 10/07/2015 16:37

You can switch off the calorie display. I have on mine. I only have the time, steps, floors climbed and alarms on mine.

AndDeepBreath · 10/07/2015 16:40

Yes to turning off calories, as I do, and making it a "how many steps can you do" thing. Actually sounds like a really nice healthy idea Smile

AndDeepBreath · 10/07/2015 16:42

On the flip side I should add, they're easy to lose (or at least mine is), need recharging quite often, not v waterproof, and can be scratched quite easily too. Depends how much care he'd take of it!

MuddlePuddle · 10/07/2015 19:01

Now, I haven't really looked into it and it s pricy (£60 meep!) but my 11 year old just showed me this: www.gameband.com

Only good if they play minecraft obviously, and not a pedometer etc but does act as a watch.

Sol1980 · 06/04/2017 12:27

Hi - this is a great question, but it appears that Fitbit has NOT made a product for kids yet, unfortunately. However, I did find a few Fitbit for kids lists such as this: unicefkidpower.org/best-kids-fitness-trackers/ where they list activity trackers for kids, similar to Fitbits. They have a few cool wearables on that list, all of which are perfect and fun for kids. Hope this helps!!!

manicinsomniac · 06/04/2017 12:32

SO many of the children at the school I teach at have these. I hate it. They talk about who's done the most steps, who's burned the most calories etc and some seem way too invested in it.

But I posted a thread about them a while ago and everyone told me I was being VU and that they were great, healthy tools for getting kids active and interested in their health.

I have anorexia so I accepted that I was BU.

But this thread seems to have gone a different way so idk.

Charl2974 · 20/05/2017 09:40

Hi I've brought a fit bit for my 10 year old daughter as she runs for county and is really into her sport.
It won't let her register as she's too young. I'm terrible with technology so unsure of what to do other than take it back to the shop.
Help!!

melissaduncan · 17/06/2017 07:53

I've been there too and it was a tough decision but then went ahead and got one for my son. Kids love gadgets and Fitbit has really helped my son adapt an active lifestyle. If you are not sure which one to buy, here is a good resource for kids fitbits:
kidsactivitytracker.com/fitbit/

chocfemme · 17/06/2017 08:14

My kids got them for their 11th and 13th birthdays and I'd say they have been the most successful presents I've ever bought them!

They compete against each other and family members weekly, and against me. They do a lot of exercise but it motivates them to do even more. Sometimes they ask if we can go out for a walk in the evening. If I tell them we have to walk to the shops (when before they might have asked to go by car) they are pleased as it will gain them more steps.

Only issue is their durability, but having bought from Amazon, as soon as one starts to fall apart I've got in touch with customer services and they've offered to replace or refund.

Newmanwannabe · 17/06/2017 08:17

Garmin vivofit Jnr? They are really good and have a great app too. DD 9 loves hers

ohforfoxsake · 17/06/2017 08:19

My 9 year old DD has had one for a while. Counting steps, hours of activity but the best one - hours of sleep. She was aiming for 10 hours a night. Getting her to go to bed was so easy Grin

Now it's consigned to the 'stuff' drawer.

teaandakitkat · 17/06/2017 08:20

My 11 yr old has a Garmin running watch. It measures steps but I don't think it measures calories. His is a really basic one so it wasn't expensive.

Fatcatonthemat · 17/06/2017 08:25

My son had a fitbit charge for his 10th birthday, he absolutely loves it and wears it every day without fail. Durability can be an issue, but fitbit always replace with a brand new one if there's any damage. Loads of kids have them in his class and the school is focused on healthy living and the teachers have them too. I don't think he's even noticed the calories or has any interest in that, just likes step counting and the watch!

Swipe left for the next trending thread