To think we've made a mistake with DS big present?

[lynzmb]

We got DS6 an Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet for Christmas to replace an ancient iPad. I'm pretty tech savvy but I have really struggled to get certain apps on the kids profile - YouTube Kids seems extremely difficult to add, research talks about side loading etc which just seems like an almighty faff. I'm worried we keep running into problems like this, DS will lose interest and it was v expensive.

I'm wondering if we return it and look at another android tablet instead. Seen a few people suggesting Samsung with Family Link app for parental controls.

I'm feeling stupid already for not realising the limitations around Amazon tablets so please be kind! Or is there a simple solution I'm missing?

My 2 year old has an iPad because I knew he’d end up with one anyway as I’ve heard the fire ones are rubbish. Definitely swap for an iPad!

I don't understand those that say YouTube kids is garbage. You can restrict it to specific videos you approve of. We give access to a very small handful of channels we trust, and some extra educational videos as my child's interests change (volcanoes, space etc). I regularly check though most things mine is watching. They have no way of searching or accidentally watching YouTubers or whatever.

Mine also has a kids profile on BBC and I find this more problematic because even though there's lots of great appropriate content, there's no way of blocking programmes.

With the Fire, when we did research on best tablets for kids, the Fire always comes out near the top - the parental controls are their main selling point, and they obviously have a low price point compared to iPads, which makes them so attractive when you don't want to risk an expensive device with a small child.

It's not until you start encountering issues and start googling them that you discover how shit they are, and how shit everyone else finds them and what a mistake they are.

Re giving my young child a tablet, I do regret it, I never meant to be one of those mums who allows hours of screentime. But he has SEN and he leans so much from it, has taken so much language and knowledge from the things he is watching, and he will learn almost nothing from me and nothing from school. 😭

Hi sorry genuine question but what exactly are these effects you see on the children in your line of work and how exactly do you know it’s the tablet that’s to blame? Sorry this is a genuine question and mean no disrespect towards your answer I actually want to know for future reference for my own child :) as we know the way of the world is technology now and wonder how to keep such away from child.. thanks

You tube kids app doesn't exist anymore, you have to use main you tube and set kids profiles

Kindle is great for kids profiles,pretty easy to set and use.
Having said that,battery life is pretty rubbish (had many kindles for reading) gave up and got a samsung tablet.
Grandkids have kindles to use,can't download anything without swapping to adult profile etc

This is another good reason why Santa should only put small presents in a stocking, with bigger gifts being from you, not Santa! However, I'd return it and get another iPad, and tell DS that you managed to get it swapped because the other one wasn't working.

My sons had a few Amazon fires and then I thankfully got them an iPad instead and was so bloody thankful. So much easier to use.

You can change the settings to allow third party apps - google how to do it it’s easy

I think even Amazon know they are crap because when I ordered 2 for my girls they sent 3 by mistake. I contacted them and they said oh just keep it. So I was stuck with 3 shit Amazon fire's lol. My girls got so frustrated with them I ended up sending them back and just getting them an iPad to share

YouTube Kids definitely exists - it's on Google Play.

Ahhh ok I know on our sky box it's all on 1 app now, they got rid of the kids app :(

Amazon does not like you to use google apps.

AFAIK it's difficult to get Google apps on Amazon devices eg firesticks etc. Amazon have their own platform they want used I believe. I'm sure there are workarounds, but personally I'd just get an android tablet

Wtf

Fire kids are great for age 3/4 when they’re just starting to use tech, lots of simple little games with no ads on the amazon kids. But when they start juniors and have to use school apps like mathletics they need a proper android or ipad. We only learned this through experience though, you weren’t to know!

You anti tablet folks do realise that a heck of a lot of primary schools use these in lessons every day instead of pen and paper....

Amazon tablets are terrible. We’ve had 2 now and they I’ll never buy another. You can’t add things like sky movies (bought Matilda on it and couldn’t put it in her tablet as Amazon want you to buy movies from them) can’t get some kids games too so she still has my phone for these. I will never buy another Amazon tablet. X

With me as a child and my own daughter - the parents, grandparents, aunts etc buy the presents and Santa delivers them

I have a fire. It is rubbish as a tablet. I’ve had iPads and they’re OK. Bought a 2nd hand Samsung S2 for £20 and it’s fab. Would recommend Samsung tabs every time.

Ours certainly doesn't, and even if they did, it would surely be all the more reason to make sure they aren't staring at one at home.

One computing lesson a week. The odd lesson once every two weeks or so with an i pad. Certainly not that often where I teach and definitely not everyday or even every week!

Why does this shock you so much? Switches and tablets are really popular with kids. How else do you think they get them? Pay for it themselves?

'Why does this shock you so much? Switches and tablets are really popular with kids. How else do you think they get them? Pay for it themselves?'.

A 2yo with a tablet and a 4 year old with a switch IS shocking. 2!