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?

I would return it and think about whether he really does need his own tablet or have you just got him one because others do? I would also recommend a Yoto player. He can listen to audio books in bed, in the car, at home etc. He could watch Cbeebies on TV, no You Tube needed! If you do need the tablet one day he could use yours/family one if you have one.

I got mine leveno ones. Amazon were shit

My kids both had Lenovo android tablets they were £100 Argos they were really good and simple until they got to teens and had our old iPads.

We've got fire tablets and had no problems.

This

Maybe don’t fill your kid’s head with such nonsense next time.
Father Christmas only ever brings small gifts in our house.

I'm by no means a loyal Apple fan (I'm more of an emperor's new clothes about iPhones being better than other options) but having had a number of Samsung tablets and an iPad, I'd go with the iPad every time.

Mine's an iPad Air Third Generation which are around £300 new and £200 refurbed. It's still going strong after five years and I really like the screen size (my Samsungs weren't as wide).

If the OP purchased it online, in the UK there are distance selling guidelines and protections plus a cooling off period etc.

A 10 year old with a tablet AND access to the internet?

YouTube Kids is absolutely sh*te. Don't worry if you can't add it on to the tablet😂

Save yourself the grief.

Funny how this is the first thread I open after having my regular swearing session at son’s fire tablet which I have always found to be an absolute bag of shit. I’d be fuming if I’d paid full price for it. I’m considering buying a second hand iPad. If you can return it I would.

One of my DCs friends (4) was given a switch for Christmas and his little sister (2) was given her own tablet. Another of his classmates was given her own new laptop.

I absolutely hate it, but with a DS with profound SEND, Amazon’s kind “replace if they break it” policy makes it the only sensible choice for us.

For those who are naive about YouTube Kids, just google Elsa Gate. It’s really sad that kids have access to absolute garbage and parents and grandparents think it’s ok just because the app is for ‘kids’.

Because we had it a few years ago when it was relatively newish and people didn’t realise quite how universally terrible they were (and not many people had them anyway) so the reviews didn’t really help… and they haven’t improved since, the difference being there are now thousands of reviews on how awful they are.

HTH.

Amazon fire tablets are horrendous! I don't know anyone who's had one for more than 6/12 months. You have to side load virtually everything but that then voids your warranty because they claim you've bypassed their safety features

Those who say 6 is too young

Once in yr 2 so 6yrs ish it's handy to have one as school use then for homework

We had numbots and a bee maths learning game to do

Yr 3 / more Homework like Ed shed for spellings and rock stars for maths

Plus lexia

iPads are better as those parents who had Amazon or other tablets couldn't always download the apps

Nothing wrong with a device as long as you make sure you have strict rules on when can you use and strict parental controls

I would let it run flat and then say it's not charging so need to send it back and get a different one

Just say to him that as it’s not working properly, you’ve requested a new one and this (diffrent brand) is what has been sent. I’d imagine to your DS a tablet is just a tablet and the brand not such a big deal.

Even if it’s been used/tried?
I assumed goods had to be returned as sold and returned in a sellable condition. I’d love to know, as this could be handy in the future. Tia.

School have to provide options for people who don’t have the budget or inclination for tablets, surely? DD is Y1 and her school switched to an app for reading. Take-up has been crap because the app is terrible on phones but most in her year don’t have a tablet. We just carried on reading library books and told the school we wouldn’t participate. I don’t want her to have a tablet and nor do I have the budget for her to have one. Crazy expectation!

This is depressing. Kids stuck on tablets sanctioned by their schools. We started with Lexia and TTR initially but I've now told the school we won't do them and we do paper exercises instead. Both dopamine drivers. Teacher has been really supportive but I'm mindful my child is in the privileged position of being pretty academic and not needing much support outside of lessons. I think it's awful for kids who are struggling to be directed to apps.

'A 10 year old with a tablet AND access to the internet?'

Giving the devices as gifts is particularly problematic. In their head it is then theirs and the parent has already lost some form of control. It escalates.

Hmm that’s a… leap lol. I’m sure many others had printing games yet didn’t go on to own a business 😂

Likewise I’m sure many people went on to own a business who didn’t have printing games and watched TV when they were that age.

i believe the original comment is what Gen Z call a “flex”.

I’m still thrashing an iPhone 6!
camera has stopped working though so need an upgrade in new year.
10 yrs old!