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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Inappropriate gift

95 replies

CaramelCandle · 26/12/2020 10:20

Family member got walkie talkies for the kids age 6 and 5. I was sceptical about the safety of them but they convinced me they were safe. Just tried them out and straight away heard a man saying hello on the other end. Turned them off and put them back in the box. Don't think it's safe for kids to be talking to strangers or for people to be listening to their conversations. Is it unreasonable to give them back to the gifter? I know they weren't cheap and we won't be using them again.

OP posts:
printedlace · 26/12/2020 10:22

I would perhaps ask if there is a gift receipt for them that you can use to exchange, or refund.

HOkieCOkie · 26/12/2020 10:26

Are you sure the man saying hello isn’t part of the set up when you first switch them on?

borntohula · 26/12/2020 10:28

I genuinely don't get how they could be unsafe...

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 26/12/2020 10:32

It's from Amazon so not sure of the returns process. Definitely not a set up, there was also other people talking but less clear

OP posts:
sanityisamyth · 26/12/2020 10:33

@borntohula

I genuinely don't get how they could be unsafe...

Depends what frequency they are on. If other people are operating on the same frequency nearby then they can listen to all their conversations, and also communicate with them.

I had a pair of speakers once which gave me a very clear insight into the local police's conversations when they were in the area! Most of the chat was about their lunch but sometimes I could hear about criminals and cases. Very interesting!

HollowTalk · 26/12/2020 10:34

That's weird. Surely that would mean he had a walkie talkie that was connected to your children's?

Aquicknamechange2019 · 26/12/2020 10:35

The instructions will tell you how to change the channel and “secure” it. We got my DCs walkie talkies too and this was the first thing I did.

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 26/12/2020 10:36

Is it not unsafe for young children to possibly end up talking to a stranger, for example if they were playing in their room and I didn't know?

OP posts:
queenMab99 · 26/12/2020 10:39

My boys had some of these for Christmas in the 80s, we got some other family on the same wavelength, who's child couldn't get the hang of it at all! We heard "press the button Clifford" over and over again for hours, until we switched them off in despair, and pity for poor Clifford!

yelyah22 · 26/12/2020 10:41

It'll just be on the same frequency, Hollow - they're not paired with each other, just operating on an open frequency that they're both tuned to, so if anyone else is also using that frequency you'll hear them.

OP - change the frequency to something else.

BiscuitDrama · 26/12/2020 10:41

We have some and they can pick up taxi drivers.

Just tell them to change channel if there’s someone else on there Smile
First lesson in tech safety.

IMNOTSHOUTING · 26/12/2020 10:42

I think you're being masively hysterical here. Just put them on a secure wavelength. It sounds like you haven't even set them up yet which is why you're having problems. If you're that concerned just let the kids play with them while you're there.

Mamamia456 · 26/12/2020 10:43

Are they actually walkie talkies for children or adults? Children's ones usually usually have a very short range. My children had them when they were younger with no problems.

Prisonbreak · 26/12/2020 10:44

Change the frequency, problem solved

borntohula · 26/12/2020 10:48

@sanityisamyth wow I really did not know they could do that!

sanityisamyth · 26/12/2020 10:51

[quote borntohula]@sanityisamyth wow I really did not know they could do that![/quote]

I don't think they do it anymore :( was fun whilst it lasted though!! Police now encrypt their communication channels but taxi firms (as mentioned above) don't bother - less sensitive information!!

StopMakingATitOfUrselfNPissOff · 26/12/2020 10:52

It’s not ‘inappropriate’ is it. They weren’t bought so your DC could communicate with strangers.

Seriously, calm down

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 26/12/2020 10:52

@Prisonbreak

Change the frequency, problem solved
This - you’re being very OTT about it. It’s a good opportunity to speak to your kids about ‘online’ safety. If they hear someone else on the walkie talkies they come and get you.
starfishmummy · 26/12/2020 10:52

@HollowTalk

That's weird. Surely that would mean he had a walkie talkie that was connected to your children's?
No. Hed just be on the same frequency. Similar to how we used to pick up someone elses baby on our baby monitor sometimes.
rookgizzardpie · 26/12/2020 10:53

YABU. How rude of you

TommyKnocker · 26/12/2020 10:55

My boy's have had a couple of these over the years, never managed to get a good enough signal to talk to each other in different ends of the house, nevermind randoms in the local area!

YAB a bit U, talk to them about safety, secure the signal and let them enjoy.

PicaK · 26/12/2020 10:55

You're almost irrationally frightened of technology. That's something I'd be more concerned about tbh.
Ask a tech savvy friend for help to set them up or just Google - there's bound to be an instruction video out there.

Piwlyfbicsly · 26/12/2020 10:57

That’s how walkie talkie works! Same channel same frequency and you could hear someone else talking. TBH I couldn’t understand a half of what other people were saying and apart from occasional “Hello? Hello?” Nothing sinister ever happened. And surely you look after your children at all times and would notice they talk to someone else! Walker talkies are very loud.

Covidrelapse · 26/12/2020 10:57

YABU my kids loved walkie talkies at that age. Just read the instructions before giving them to them. You would be massively unreasonable to agree to a gift, allow your DC to try them then ask to return them.
Incredibly rude.

Piwlyfbicsly · 26/12/2020 10:58

And yes, if someone else is on the frequency you are using, switch to another channel (most walkie talkies allow that!!)

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