Magnetic putty. Why 14+?

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My DS (7) would like magnetic putty for Christmas, but it's recommended for 14+. Anyone know why? Is it just the havoc they could cause with the magnet (swallow it, damage your phone etc), or is the putty itself hazardous too? Anyone got some and regretted it?

I assume it is about swallowing - wasn't there some warnings about children swallowing those magnetic balls which then popped together and caused nasty internal injuries.

Magnets are genuinely dangerous if swallowed - but 14+ seems quite extreme.

Yes, the magnets can attract within the bowel and if the magnets are on different sides of a tissue lining, it can tear it causing massive gastric bleeding.

Hi -

I learn a lot on here, 'cos I'd never heard of magnetic putty! Just Googled, and you can make it yourself, with the 'magic' putty and mixing the iron particles into it, that makes it magnetic. But I would have thought what a child can actually DO with it is rather limited.

I think there are other games and activities containing magnets that might be more entertaining for longer.

But strangely, Amazon US says fun for all ages, but Amazon UK says not to be sold to under 18s !!

When I was primary school TA kids would sometimes sneak magnets next to computer monitors (the older CRT sort that contain magnets) and it would distort and colour the display for hours!

I'll try find other magnetic things and come back sometime.

Actually, another fun thing is kids electrical sets, where you can make electro magnets by winding wire round iron rods and connecting to a battery.