- Jan 6, 2015
- 14,509
- 27,215
So, the discussion in PF that held a tangent on letting kids go to the bathroom alone (hinging on common sense, that unfortunately is not too common)....it led me to make remarks about how different generations are viewing children differently.
Do you have (quasi) defined ages for your kids to have or do certain things? There obviously is no 'right' answer, just opinions. However the diversity may give you solace in your opinion being sane or drive you to question the sanity of those around you. The only real answer is 'it depends.' But I figured to put this out for discussion anyway.
For example, my 10 yr old daughter wants a phone - primarily to facetime with grandparents, but to also be able to call mom-dad when needed. These are real reasons, she isn't a BSer trying to get the latest iPhone (though she wouldn't turn one down). However, I don't trust her not to lose anything worth more than $5 (anything under $5 is just as likely to be lost, but more easily replaced - she's just like her father). We may cave and get her a TracPhone that can essentially only call mom-dad until she proves responsibility, but this is being somewhat forced by the transition to middle school and after school activities where she'll need to call to be picked up at times. Otherwise, we'd determined to make her wait until 13-ish to get a hand-me-down smartphone.
This is also a reflection of today's generation. They are doing State Assessment exams, and kids have to turn in their phones prior to taking the exam. This is 3rd and 4th graders, mind you. And nearly half the kids have such devices.
When do you feel it is appropriate for a kid to have a phone? Dumbphone or Smartphone?
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My wife was teaching Pre-K when a kid mentioned having an i-Pad, and my wife questioned them to clarify if it was the family i-Pad. No, it was the kid's device. A kid aged 4-5 yrs old. So she asked the class how many had i-Pads, and 75-85% of the kids raised their hands.
Both my kids (ages 10 and 7) have tablets. However, they each got one when they turned 6, it was a cheap (replaceable) device, and is kept in a protective case. Furthermore, it is one of several choices they have for their limited electronics time (the others being on the PC, on TV, etc). The neighbor down the street with a 7 yr old in my son's class, that kid is on her i-Pad for hours, daily, and has been since she was 3-4 yrs old. He social skills are limited.
Point here is - tablets. Do you have an opinion on when kids should get 'em, and what kind to get, etc.? Do you think today's society reflects your opinion....or you are an aging relic with your views?
Do you have (quasi) defined ages for your kids to have or do certain things? There obviously is no 'right' answer, just opinions. However the diversity may give you solace in your opinion being sane or drive you to question the sanity of those around you. The only real answer is 'it depends.' But I figured to put this out for discussion anyway.
For example, my 10 yr old daughter wants a phone - primarily to facetime with grandparents, but to also be able to call mom-dad when needed. These are real reasons, she isn't a BSer trying to get the latest iPhone (though she wouldn't turn one down). However, I don't trust her not to lose anything worth more than $5 (anything under $5 is just as likely to be lost, but more easily replaced - she's just like her father). We may cave and get her a TracPhone that can essentially only call mom-dad until she proves responsibility, but this is being somewhat forced by the transition to middle school and after school activities where she'll need to call to be picked up at times. Otherwise, we'd determined to make her wait until 13-ish to get a hand-me-down smartphone.
This is also a reflection of today's generation. They are doing State Assessment exams, and kids have to turn in their phones prior to taking the exam. This is 3rd and 4th graders, mind you. And nearly half the kids have such devices.
When do you feel it is appropriate for a kid to have a phone? Dumbphone or Smartphone?
------
My wife was teaching Pre-K when a kid mentioned having an i-Pad, and my wife questioned them to clarify if it was the family i-Pad. No, it was the kid's device. A kid aged 4-5 yrs old. So she asked the class how many had i-Pads, and 75-85% of the kids raised their hands.
Both my kids (ages 10 and 7) have tablets. However, they each got one when they turned 6, it was a cheap (replaceable) device, and is kept in a protective case. Furthermore, it is one of several choices they have for their limited electronics time (the others being on the PC, on TV, etc). The neighbor down the street with a 7 yr old in my son's class, that kid is on her i-Pad for hours, daily, and has been since she was 3-4 yrs old. He social skills are limited.
Point here is - tablets. Do you have an opinion on when kids should get 'em, and what kind to get, etc.? Do you think today's society reflects your opinion....or you are an aging relic with your views?