Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Fitbits for children?!?

62 replies

manicinsomniac · 15/04/2016 18:40

Has anyone else noticed this suddenly become a thing?

I've had two children in two separate classes wearing them in school today (both Y6 children, age 10). They might have had them for ages but I'm not very observant. When I asked them if they were fitbits they had on, other children started saying they either have them at home or want them.

I might be being paranoid due to personal and family experiences with eating disorders but I think they're really inappropriate for children to have. I haven't said anything to the children obviously, because it's up to their parents and nothing to do with me. But instinctively, I don't like the idea.

AIBU?

OP posts:

rainbowunicorn · 15/04/2016 23:00

I find it strange that something that promotes more activity and fitness among children and adults alike can be seen as a bad thing.
I agree that some teachers tend to have a fairly narrow minded view when it comes to things like this, not saying they all do but my experience has been that the majority can be like this.
Perhaps before making judgements it would be better to educate yourself in how fitbits and the like are used rather than just saying they are unsuitable for children.

Notcontent · 15/04/2016 23:02

People often raise eating disorders when children are encouraged to think about what they eat/their level of activity - but actually, obesity is much more prevalent among children and teens, and we all seem to be in denial about it...

CruCru · 15/04/2016 23:04

I have a FitBit. It doesn't make me obsessively count calories or go sprinting. However, it does give me some motivation to go for a walk if I'm nowhere near the 10,000 steps goal. That isn't so bad for children.

StillMedusa · 16/04/2016 00:56

We all wear them in my house.. DS2 will be the last to get one on his birthday. None of us count calories, BUT we all try to make 10000 steps a day. For me it has mean I decide to walk to the local shop rather than drive a ridiculously short distance.

I can't see how a 'keep moving' goal is bad for any age tbh!

PaulAnkaTheDog · 16/04/2016 01:00

I think it's a brilliant idea! I've never even considered it before but I'm now going to order one for ds.

MadamDeathstare · 16/04/2016 01:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

curren · 16/04/2016 06:11

I thought they were all set up for exercise, sleep AND calories. If calories isn't a default then that's better.

I mean this in a nice way. But maybe its better to look into something if you have concerns about them, before making a judgment that it could be damaging.

SharingMichelle · 16/04/2016 06:27

Great thread.
My dd is turning 10 next month and is desperate for one for her birthday.
Is Fitbit the best one to get her? I'm going to look at the leapband... maybe it will be too young for her?

If anyone can point this Luddite at the exact and specific best thing to buy for dd I'd be very grateful.

Kondotastic · 16/04/2016 08:18

I've worn mine for 3 years and love it. My DS (9) has been asking for one for ages, his teacher has one (and encourages them to move more in school) as do some of his class mates and now his younger cousin (8) has one too. So he's getting one for his next birthday and he's very pleased! The fitbit charge is perfect, available with a small wristband, syncs with the app on a tablet or phone, (and on offer in argos at the moment for £74.99). There's cheaper fitbits available, like the flex, but you can't view the step count on that unless you look at the app.

Hulababy · 16/04/2016 09:05

SharingMichelle - I haven't really looked at the leap pad one but I would imagine that a 10y would prefer a FitBit as it looks more grown up. I have seen children in infants with one but in juniors it's been fitbit. Even if they liked the Leap Lad initially it would be very quickly grown out of.

IamaBluebird · 16/04/2016 09:10

Love my fitbit. Often find me trotting round the living room for the last hundred steps I need.

Pisssssedofff · 16/04/2016 09:15

I don't think the calorie counting is a bad idea either. My children had no idea about portion control (think bowls of cornflakes you'd need a shovel to eat). One bag of sweets per day is fine right and fruit doesn't count. If gave them all quite a shock

AppleSetsSail · 16/04/2016 09:19

What's wrong with calorie awareness/counting? Most people will actually need to be mindful of calories at some point in their lives.

Mine don't have fit-bits but if I think they're a great idea .

Pastamancer · 16/04/2016 09:46

I have one of these which is much cheaper than a Fitbit. It records steps and sleep, has a heartrate monitor and the battery lasts nearly a month.

Original poster

manicinsomniac · 16/04/2016 09:47

curren - I would say that asking for opinions on my unreasonableness or otherwise on mn is looking into something? Sorry, I tend to use mn as a thinking aloud/gauging ideas/looking for answers type board. Like google but more interesting and getting real life experience and results. Bad thing?

Apple - I don't like the idea that (young - say 10 and under) children are even particularly aware of what calories are .

I'm not particularly anti technology, I don't think. It doesn't interest me personally and I think some of the things we're expected to do at school are using technology for the sake of it. But it's fine, has it's place and is often fantastic.

OP posts:

MidniteScribbler · 16/04/2016 09:48

Quite a few of the kids in my class have one. It's actually the boys that are more interested in them than the girls. They tend to try and outdo it each other at lunchtime to see who can get the most steps. Anything that encourages them to run around at lunchtime is good with me. I might start challenging them to see who can get the longest sleep at night, I'm sure the parents would love me for that!

TresDesolee · 16/04/2016 09:56

My ds2 has just bought one with his own savings (he's 11, Y6). It does seem to be a bit of a craze. I was slightly concerned about the body image thing because I think boys are increasingly coming under the same insane image pressures as girls. I've told him flatly that he's a perfect shape/weight for his height and that if I see him trying to use it to 'lose weight' I'll confiscate it. For now he's just running endlessly up and down the stairs (and 'gaming' it by stamping his feet while sitting down )

Pisssssedofff · 16/04/2016 10:03

Plenty of children under 10 are very very fat and ought to have an understanding of what a calorie is and the results it's producing

HellonHeels · 16/04/2016 10:05

I want one now! Do I need the HR one?

ImperialBlether · 16/04/2016 10:13

Did anyone read about the primary school where the children run for a mile a day? There are no overweight children in the school. I thought that was a really good idea.

Katz · 16/04/2016 10:20

My daughters school do the daily mile - she loves it.

ChameleonCircuit · 16/04/2016 10:26

Katz - do they do it even in the rain?

ImperialBlether · 16/04/2016 10:38

What time of day do they do it, Katz?

AppleSetsSail · 16/04/2016 12:29

My 10-year old chubbed up quite a bit at about 8 and we had to talk about it. My husband did a great job of marrying it up with a general discussion about rugby (which he loves).

He's generally aware of his fluctuations in weight and self-limits surprisingly well for his age.

MiffleTheIntrovert · 16/04/2016 12:39

Serious question op, which statement do you think would contribute more to the increasing amount of obesity, especially amongst children, in this country?

A. I don't like the idea that (young - say 10 and under) children are even particularly aware of what calories are

B. Year 6 children have fitbits.

Unless you have a back story for feeling like this I think you are very U. I don't think DC can ever be too young to learn about their bodies in an age appropriate and none judgemental way. Calories as fuel, the benefits of exercise, information about menstruation etc - all perfectly appropriate for a ten year old, and below.

It also saddens me to see teachers, or people involved with schools, judging parents on something they don't actually know anything about. Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread