Technology for kids, mobiles, iPads etc

[Greg]

I appreciate that some families home-school, some families boarding school, some families state school. So let's try to avoid selling our preference on this thread and keep that debate to another thread or this thread will be so diluted it won't be an aid for parents.

This thread is both to debate the use of technology by children, do they need cellphones at all?  Costs of providing them with such technology. Benefits.  Ways of monitoring for risks etc.


I'll go first.  We have 3 desktop computers in the house, 1 laptop (daughter uses for school all the time), 1 iPad, and 5 smart phones.

Son (nearly 11) has just got a grammar school place and will be handed down daughters iPhone 4.  She (13) inherits iPhone 5.  Wife (21ish) buys iPhone 6.

I have a Samsung Galaxy Mini which is plenty good enough for my purposes.

Don't have any monitoring software yet, but thinking about it.  I do check instagram messages and no problems so far.

[Vanna]

My children are/were homeschooled so they didn't have cell phones early. I can understand why a parent would give them if they were schooled outside of the house. Once my oldest was high school age, he attended public school part-time. We got him a cell phone at that time with the understanding that we can AND will check his phone at anytime. This was just a basic cell phone (talk and text only...no data). **a side note, a man I know at work has his children's texts forwarded to his own phone. The children (teens) do not know this. haha. Maybe a little over the top, but his kids, his business)

We have 1 desktop, 3 laptops and an iPad. We don't have monitoring software but check history often. Plus, our internet provider gives us a list of websites visited with our bill each month. I have no idea if this service is extra...my husband handles that but if your provider offers this, I highly recommend it.

My 10 year old is allowed to get onto certain websites but is required to ask if he wants to venture to other websites. So far, the monthly list hasn't shown anything disturbing.

[Clotilde]

Three of my kids have their own iPad, they have codes on them that I unlock when they are allowed to use them. None of them do any social media but they have email accounts, however, I don't permit them to use them until they are 10. They don't really enjoy emailing but they do message their friends and relatives but they can only do so if they are connected to wifi so no iPad Air or anything like that. 

We have a laptop that is really lame, no one likes to use it. Sometimes they stream movies on it if they cannot agree on what to watch. 

The kids usually all use their devices at the same time so generally speaking they are playing together and in the same room, they can see the other device screens. I haven't had a reason to use any software to monitor them, but I would if I thought it was necessary. I know what they know about the world and I know who they talk to and what they talk about so I don't have much cause for concern. Also, they are very sensitive and aware that things offend God and if I miss something (maybe a book where I overlook something) they will bring it to me and let me know. 

I do not have a smartphone, as it is just too expensive. The kids have one phone that they take with them if they are dropped off anywhere, whether with family, friends, or an outside class. They are instructed to call us if they need us, that way they are not dependent on other adults and can talk to us privately-- which is harder to do if you borrow a phone. 

[Voxxkowalski]

I regret allowing my kids free reign on the computers. I was a computer geek myself so I thought it would be ok...well they have had undue worldly influence and a horrible lazyness now. It wasnt just the computers but me being lazy also...but if I had to do it all over...ya No unregulated PC time. But on the other hand they are all extreamly intelligent and tech savy and my youngest is doing very well in PC sciences at his technical school...and my second oldest is finishing up a Mechanical engineering degree at a prestigious college in Philly with high marks and deans lists. So its bitter sweet.

[RitaMarita]

Technology is easy to get addicted to, and children often become more easily addicted than adults...

As long as there is a means of control used like password, etc, so that it is not over-used; it can be helpful for typing up school papers and such though.

Basically, "All things in moderation".   

[jen51]

My husband and I have been mulling over this topic for some time now. We lean more towards less technology. We have one laptop computer in the house, a home phone, and a trac phone that is only used for carrying with us when one of us is away from home. I used to have an iphone, but I got rid of it when I decided that it was bearing bad fruit in my life. Also, it was expensive.
If I thought that ipads and iphones filled a legitimate need in the education and rearing of children, we might be interested in one- but I am not convinced that they do. If we do get one at some point, it will be pretty restricted. I'd rather have them spending their free time playing outside, reading a book, or working on a skill such a crochet, woodworking, baking, etc. Technology really sucks kids in. I tend to think they are better grounded and more imaginative and socially adept without too much of it.

[Clotilde]

Apr 29, 2016 21:48:12 GMT -5 jen51 said:

My husband and I have been mulling over this topic for some time now. We lean more towards less technology. We have one laptop computer in the house, a home phone, and a trac phone that is only used for carrying with us when one of us is away from home. I used to have an iphone, but I got rid of it when I decided that it was bearing bad fruit in my life. Also, it was expensive.
If I thought that ipads and iphones filled a legitimate need in the education and rearing of children, we might be interested in one- but I am not convinced that they do. If we do get one at some point, it will be pretty restricted. I'd rather have them spending their free time playing outside, reading a book, or working on a skill such a crochet, woodworking, baking, etc. Technology really sucks kids in. I tend to think they are better grounded and more imaginative and socially adept without too much of it.

Mine have to complete all of their chores and school work, plus have a good attitude in order to earn it during free time. They rarely ever earn it so, it is actually teaching them to manage their time better. 

I do not allow calculators until Algebra I so this was great for us, I didn't have to buy another device and the app was free. We also keep a family calendar, so the children can see classes and upcoming events. I use a calendar extensively, always have, so it is actually really easy and organized. We also have supplementary videos for my son's math program that he can access, which take a lot of burden off of me. 

I would say if your children are only engaging in technology based activities during free-time, then you do have a problem on your hands. However, there are some kids who are actually using that time to learn to program, or doing computery-magical stuff that I don't understand. Given the world we live in, that could open up windows as adults. They have to support their families in some manner someday. 

And then there are some days that you have a mega-headache, you are 8 months pregnant, it's hot, and you want to take a nap so you compromise all of your self-imposed ideals for your health and/or sanity. Sometimes you just want to eat the rest of the ice cream alone because you didn't get ANY last time. 

[Voxxkowalski]

I dont think I ever had a day like that clotilde...neither could I

[Clotilde]

Apr 29, 2016 23:24:30 GMT -5 Voxxkowalski said:

I dont think I ever had a day like that clotilde...neither could I

You always eat the ice cream before anyone gets any, don't you?! That's why you've never had a day like that. 

[Voxxkowalski]

Apr 30, 2016 0:23:44 GMT -5 Clotilde said:

Apr 29, 2016 23:24:30 GMT -5 Voxxkowalski said:

I dont think I ever had a day like that clotilde...neither could I

You always eat the ice cream before anyone gets any, don't you?! That's why you've never had a day like that. 

Are you kidding! At one time I had 4 "starving" teens under my roof...I just have one now...AND I never got the iccream...cake...favorite breakfast cereal....etc. Im lucky I ate at all. We still mark items with sharpys in the fridge to claim them.

[jen51]

Apr 29, 2016 22:14:16 GMT -5 Clotilde said:

And then there are some days that you have a mega-headache, you are 8 months pregnant, it's hot, and you want to take a nap so you compromise all of your self-imposed ideals for your health and/or sanity. Sometimes you just want to eat the rest of the ice cream alone because you didn't get ANY last time. 

Lol. My story isn't exactly the same, but close, especially since it deals with ice cream.  We had dinner guests over a few nights ago and everyone got to eat ice cream but me because the baby was having her daily evening melt down. Lucky for me they were kind enough to save me some for later consumption!

[chestertonian]

i am guessing my son will probably get a smartphone relatively early that is where the tech is going re::insulin management right now it's a separate device

all things being equal i think a phone would be imperative when he is old enough to leave the house and go places by himself.... Whenever that is.

he has his own tablet which only has kids stuff and no eeb browseee and a user account on my chromrbook for homeschooling