They're much too young!

[Ehupflower]

My husband wants to get our 2 children laptops for Christmas. They're 7 and 8. I think much too young! AIBU to say no to laptops!

No. Far too young. Excessive.

I think they're too young. What about a kindle fire tablet or something similar which they can play (educational?) games on under supervision?

I was planning on refurbing an old laptop of mine to gift for DD's 7th birthday (with provisos regarding location and usage) as she will need it when she starts junior school for access to homework etc (she has a tablet but meeting with her teachers they have mentioned learning how to navigate an actual computer, how to use a mouse, etc will be essential in juniors); could he be thinking along those lines?
A laptop isn't a terrible gift if supervised properly, I'm always a little exasperated with how a percentage of MN regards 21st century tech access for kids as the work of the devil... Or you could just encourage a healthy attitude to an amazing learning tool and supervise your child... 🙄

It's amazing what they can learn from having access to age appropriate apps etc

I’d say if they have access to your laptop/computer for homework and the odd game, then perhaps they don’t need a personal one at 7. But if not, perhaps one to share that you use with them?

My 2.5 year old has my old iPad for long car journeys and age appropriate apps when we are having some down time. She’s a whizz at the Numberblocks apps from CBeebies! Nursery have commented she’s quite ahead with numbers & its certainly not come from me 😂

I very much agree, technology is not the devil. They’ll be using it their whole lives! We need to teach them how to do so safely, in moderation & when younger, under supervision with an adult!

I wouldn't bother with one each. Maybe one for the family.

I’m not necessarily against the idea except why one each? That is spoilt to me

Have they shown an interest in having a laptop? I'd get them one of that's what they wanted.

Don't bother with a kindle fire tablet, so clunky and slow and half the time won't even load a single app

I second re-the Kindle Fire, I bought one and it’s awful. I am very much an Apple user though so maybe I just couldn’t get used to it. It just seemed incredibly slow & clunky! Gave it to a charity shop in the end and they used it as a raffle prize!