Page 9 | To think we've made a mistake with DS big present?

lynzmb · 2024-12-30T00:12:20+00:00

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?

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:23

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 10:15

Bluey was just an example, its by far one of the least annoying shows. We've deliberately not ever put cocomelon or Peppa Pig etc on. But equally, I can't think of many parents who wouldn't appreciate 10 minutes of quiet time every now and then. Rather than having the family TV singing at them. Can you?

It also gives DD an element of choosing for herself. She can watch in the living room, or in her bedroom (I imagine you would be even more outraged if a small child had a bedroom TV?) or she can sit at the kitchen table while I prep some food or whatever she and I feel is her best option at that time. Rather than plonking her in front of the family TV and then leaving the room (not always a great plan) or else everyone in the house is now subjected to whatever TV program she wants (which for many families may include younger children for whom it's not appropriate or babies you're trying to get down).

Try and think outside of just "10 minutes of TV" and look at the bigger family picture.

Show quote history

Quite patronising. I have more than one child. We don’t have screens in any bedroom. I can tolerate pretty much anything on the tv for a short period. If I can’t, the tv needs to stay off and my child(ren) do something else.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 30/12/2024 10:24

ByHardyAquaFox · 30/12/2024 00:31

I think the the mistake here is to buy a tablet, any tablet, full stop.
He is only 6. You are potentially breeding a screen addicted child.

To be honest I regret letting my DS (now 10) have a tablet that young.

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:26

Fandangles · 30/12/2024 10:07

People who say it’s no-one else’s business how others parent their own children…. Sure. But how people parent their children will end up affecting other kids. I don’t want to send my son around to his friends houses because some of them seem to have unfettered YouTube access, or all they want to do is play Fortnite. If I invite them here, they seem to find it boring if gaming isn’t an option.

I’m a teacher and do find it frightening how screen time has affected attention spans, dominated conversations and brought up so many safeguarding issues. And I’m in primary.

So sometimes, how others parent their children does affect a wider society.

Could have written most of this myself.

GreyAreas · 30/12/2024 10:35

I would return it OP, check he would still ask for a tablet, in case he has other ideas now.
Make your own mind up on screens, as we all have to.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 10:38

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 10:23

Quite patronising. I have more than one child. We don’t have screens in any bedroom. I can tolerate pretty much anything on the tv for a short period. If I can’t, the tv needs to stay off and my child(ren) do something else.

Show quote history

That's good for you. Some of us are wired differently. You were very patronising with your "I can't imagine any parent..." comment.

All families and people are different. Just because you can't imagine it doesn't mean it's not valid.

Wibblywobblybobbly · 30/12/2024 10:43

Santa's workshop had identified a manufacturing issue and need to do a product recall and are issuing replacements? It has the advantage of being quite plausible.

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 10:54

TheUsualChaos · 30/12/2024 09:36

Wow OP, their own tablet so they can watch kids You tube? This is what you want for your child's Christmas?😕 Take this as a sign you made a mistake, return the tablet and get them Lego or something instead.

Edited

He did also get Lego and toys which he spends a lot of time with, but thank you for the advice 😊

OP posts:

Bearhunt468 · 30/12/2024 10:58

We returned our Amazon fire tablet as in kids mode it was awful. No YouTube kids, loads of games with adverts despite paying for Amazon kids subscription. I complained it wasn't fit for purpose and got a full refund. Get a Samsung but you can enable kids mode to suit the age and you tube kids works.

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 11:15

Hi

Vettrianofan · 30/12/2024 11:20

Zanatdy · 30/12/2024 09:18

My nephew is 2 and I was surprised to see that they put youtube videos on the TV for him. He likes something called Vlad and Nikki which is a horrible display of excess wealth. Mine watched TV at that age only, and Cbeebies. He doesn’t watch anything educational. He doesn’t watch to excess but they get him out of the house to avoid him asking for it.

Get that crap off. Honestly. It's utter tripe!

Dollmeup · 30/12/2024 11:22

My kids both have the fire tablets and I think they are great. I quite like the fact that there is a restriction on what you can do on them. My oldest loves playing Minecraft and reading on hers and the youngest watches Disney, netflix etc. I like the fact that there's lots of games and books included and it doesn't have ads. The parental controls are fine once you get used to them.

I don't really want them watching YouTube kids anyway so the fact they can't get it is a bonus! Ive got the internet browser disabled too.

However we went straight to the fire tablets so it's all they have ever really known, I think it would be tricky if they were going from something faster and more intuitive like an iPad.

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 11:32

Clearly an emotive subject!

Thanks to those who have given advice on the actual tablet situation - much appreciated.

To those commenting on my 'ridiculous' parenting choices - also thank you. I'm confident in the range of activities my child has alongside tablet use and also aware that toys and books exist for a 6 year old. As someone said that made me chuckle - I haven't just turned up in a spaceship from Mars. Thanks though 👍🏻

I'm very conscious of the dangers of tablet use and monitor his use closely, but aware there's lots still to learn so I genuinely will take lots away from this thread and do more research.

Peace out ✌️

OP posts:

Wonderfulstuff · 30/12/2024 11:44

OP - if you can return I'd do it.

Between DH and I we have a relatively decent level of tech saviness, are used iOS and Android, and yet we both HATE the amazon fire and find it very unintuitive.

DC7 has had one since they were 4 when it was purchased for watching downloaded content on a long journey for holiday. We purchased a memory card to expand the storage but this has never worked properly and as such it will only run with the the off the shelf capacity which is pretty small. It's not used for games but if it was then it'd be even more frustrating as it would definitely need the expanded storage. We also can't get homework apps to run efficiently on the kids profile.

One thing in it's favour is that it has exceeded all expectations re durability and lifespan and the hardware seems pretty indestructible (far more so than my ipad air). Given that we bought it for travel at age 4 then this has definitely been a bonus. But once it dies it will not be replaced like for like and we'll just get an ipad or similar.

edwinbear · 30/12/2024 11:47

OP just on the replacing issue - I always told mine than Santa leaves receipts for things with parents, just in case things break/don’t work and need replacing/returning. He’s off work now until next Christmas so any issues he makes sure parents can sort out!

Original poster

lynzmb · 30/12/2024 11:54

edwinbear · 30/12/2024 11:47

OP just on the replacing issue - I always told mine than Santa leaves receipts for things with parents, just in case things break/don’t work and need replacing/returning. He’s off work now until next Christmas so any issues he makes sure parents can sort out!

Legend! Thank you 🙏

OP posts:

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 30/12/2024 11:59

imisscashmere · 30/12/2024 04:36

Please do some research on what this is doing to your daughter’s brain. She’s going to pay a heavy price for your “short intervals of peace”.

Show quote history

🙄

Nottodaythankyou123 · 30/12/2024 12:39

User74893677 · 30/12/2024 09:51

Do you not have a tv she can watch tv programmes on? Genuine question. Why a tablet? Why not the family tv?

Show quote history

We do! And she used to but then she got this as a present from my MIL and she seems to prefer snuggling on her bed or the sofa just watching it for a bit.

TheaBrandt · 30/12/2024 13:16

A 50 year old giving their view online is simply not equivalent to giving the under 10s their own screens 🙄. Obviously. Nor is it “bullying”. You’re lashing out because you know we’re right. The research has been done on this it’s not even a debate.

They will become screen addicts eventually why bring that date forward? Let them have a childhood.

HotCrossBunplease · 30/12/2024 13:28

TheaBrandt · 30/12/2024 13:16

A 50 year old giving their view online is simply not equivalent to giving the under 10s their own screens 🙄. Obviously. Nor is it “bullying”. You’re lashing out because you know we’re right. The research has been done on this it’s not even a debate.

They will become screen addicts eventually why bring that date forward? Let them have a childhood.

I never alleged any equivalence. I merely pointed out that another downside of internet-based activity is that it enables people to shout loudly with unsolicited advice and strident opinions, and some are addicted to the buzz that gives them. Perhaps you’re relaxed about your children displaying such behaviour when they are adults.

If there is no debate, what are you trying to achieve, exactly? It has all been said before. There is nothing to be gained other than your own self-satisfaction.

TheaBrandt · 30/12/2024 13:35

I am actually massively smug that my kids didn’t have screens except watching telly until year 6 yes. Not sure it is a coincidence that they were voracious readers. Ditch the screens! You’re in charge you can just do it. Then you can feel pleased with yourself too.

sunshine237 · 30/12/2024 13:56

'If there is no debate, what are you trying to achieve, exactly? It has all been said before. There is nothing to be gained other than your own self-satisfaction.'

It's exactly like someone said earlier, giving screens early affects all our kids. See the pressure on kids to get smartphones so early. 9 year olds being shown violent porn on play dates and sleepovers. When they have tablets from a young age, it all adds to it.

'how people parent their children will end up affecting other kids. I don’t want to send my son around to his friends houses because some of them seem to have unfettered YouTube access, or all they want to do is play Fortnite. If I invite them here, they seem to find it boring if gaming isn’t an option.

I’m a teacher and do find it frightening how screen time has affected attention spans, dominated conversations and brought up so many safeguarding issues. And I’m in primary.

So sometimes, how others parent their children does affect a wider society.'

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 30/12/2024 13:57

TheaBrandt · 30/12/2024 13:35

I am actually massively smug that my kids didn’t have screens except watching telly until year 6 yes. Not sure it is a coincidence that they were voracious readers. Ditch the screens! You’re in charge you can just do it. Then you can feel pleased with yourself too.

Are you genuinely bragging about being smug?? Says a lot about you.

My DH is in his mid 40s, he's from a time where there were no screens for kids. He still isn't big on reading. I am late 30s, also no screens as the norm as a kid and am an avid reader.

We're both also quite tech savvy, despite not having them growing up. I know people of the same ages as us who can't use tech to save their lives. And I've worked with 19 year olds who can't figure out how to use a printer or even put a laptop into a dock.

Kids being exposed to screens or not doesn't necessarily impact whether they read or know how to use tech or not. Other factors in their upbringing also play into it.

HotCrossBunplease · 30/12/2024 14:02

sunshine237 · 30/12/2024 13:56

'If there is no debate, what are you trying to achieve, exactly? It has all been said before. There is nothing to be gained other than your own self-satisfaction.'

It's exactly like someone said earlier, giving screens early affects all our kids. See the pressure on kids to get smartphones so early. 9 year olds being shown violent porn on play dates and sleepovers. When they have tablets from a young age, it all adds to it.

'how people parent their children will end up affecting other kids. I don’t want to send my son around to his friends houses because some of them seem to have unfettered YouTube access, or all they want to do is play Fortnite. If I invite them here, they seem to find it boring if gaming isn’t an option.

I’m a teacher and do find it frightening how screen time has affected attention spans, dominated conversations and brought up so many safeguarding issues. And I’m in primary.

So sometimes, how others parent their children does affect a wider society.'

That is as may be, but bullying a stranger on an internet forum is not going to change anything. I was asking what the specific nasty posts about OP’s parenting were hoping to achieve?

NotaRealHousewife · 30/12/2024 16:13

What do you need it to do? Tv and a bit of gaming?

I've found the tv okay but not the gaming

You can't beat an iPad but they are more expensive, would the Amazon one not do for first tablet?

NotaRealHousewife · 30/12/2024 16:14

Ah just noticed it's to replace an iPad, yeah unfortunately they aren't like for like