Some techy advice please

[islandog]

My just turning 8 year old grandson wants an IPad but he can't even find his toothbrush at times so I don't think he is ready for a $600 investment. What would you recommend for a hand held learning/playing device that would be more challenging than his Nintendo? Some of his friends have the Kindle Fire or what about the new Google Nexus. I am no help as I have just recently stepped up to texting on my phone. If I hold off until Christmas time, do you think the IPad will be cheaper?

 

[Talent312]

You could find last-year's model of a iPad for much less.

But I'd go with a Nexus, which many say has the Kindle Fire beat.
IMO, an 8 yr. old would handle a 7" tablet better... and there's less to break.

 

[caribbeansun]

A tennis racquet, a golf club, a soccer ball, a football, a baseball glove and ball - something to get him outside and away from technology.

I know that's not very helpful but the idea of an 8 year old having to have a iPad is just well wrong somehow...sorry, not trying to be a smarta$$

 

[Elan]

About the only area where an iPad will outshine a Nexus or other high end Android tablet is in availability of games. If that's why he thinks he wants an iPad, then consider an iPod touch. Much more portable and less than $200. Don't waste your money on an iPad.

 

[islandog]

Nexus sounds like it will do more than games

I guess I am so tech-challenged, I don't know how these devises operate - do you need to be connected to internet all the time to work with one, can you just play games or can you find help with homework or look up the Caymen Islands? How does he connect to the internet - his parents have Droid-type phones and a land-based phone internet - can he wi-fi off any of these? Or does he need a monthly service? (see I told you I know nothing about this). He is pretty gifted (often wonder if he is the offspring of my son) and reads a lot. And he doesn't just play games inside - he played football this year and baseball. But he has a 3 yo sister who drives him batty ay night so he goes in his room and plays with his Nintendo or Wii. I just want to get him something that will do more than games. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[siesta]

Our 2 and 3 year old have an ipad, they use it all the time, i mainly put educational/learning vids and/or sing alongs for them. It actually has wonderful educational value and you should see how great they are at opening and closing programs, and picking the exact youtube videos they want to watch. One of the favorites is A A Apple

 

[Elan]

I guess I am so tech-challenged, I don't know how these devises operate - do you need to be connected to internet all the time to work with one, can you just play games or can you find help with homework or look up the Caymen Islands? How does he connect to the internet - his parents have Droid-type phones and a land-based phone internet - can he wi-fi off any of these? Or does he need a monthly service? (see I told you I know nothing about this). He is pretty gifted (often wonder if he is the offspring of my son) and reads a lot. And he doesn't just play games inside - he played football this year and baseball. But he has a 3 yo sister who drives him batty ay night so he goes in his room and plays with his Nintendo or Wii. I just want to get him something that will do more than games. Thanks for all the great advice.

You don't need a constant internet connection to use a tablet/iPod, but it certainly affords more functionality. As long as his parents have wi-fi (their Droid phones probably will function as a wi-fi hotspot, effectively "converting" their phone's data connection into a local wi-fi connection) , that will suffice to load games, apps, movies, etc. But I would assume they also have a wireless router for their home internet (?), which would make things far more convenient for your grandson.

There are lots of educational apps in addition to games. But given the choice between working through math facts and mashing pigs with angry birds, most kids typically don't opt for the former (without adult intervention). In other words, if you're thinking he's going to get much education from such a device, prepare to be disappointed.

 

[stmartinfan]

One of the recommendations for computer safety for kids used to be to force them to use a computer in a place that's visible to the family, like the family room. It helps prevent them from venturing into websites that are inappropriate for their age or even dangerous. I know that's less likely to happen today with the prevalence of internet connected phones, laptops,, etc., for teens, but it still seems like a valid approach for younger children.

For an 8 year old to have an Ipad with internet access that he would use in his room alone seems to be making it too easy for him to end up places on the Internet where you wouldn't want him. If the issue is that his sister is driving him to escape to his room, maybe the parents need to involve the sister in other activities, so some of his gaming can take place where he's around the family, rather than isolated.

I also agree that a $600 electronic device is not appropriate for an 8 year old. It's just too fragile to expect someone of that age to care for properly. I bought one for my 20+ as a gift, but would never have given her this type of electronics when she was his age. She did have the handheld Nintendo when she was slightly older than he is, but again, used it for the most part when around the family. And with that, I didn't have to worry about what she was accessing.

I could see having a family IPad that he could have access to sometimes, in the right setting and for limited time. It's a great device to play with and it would allow him the fun and experience of learning how to use it. But it's different to access one occasionally, with permission, than to have it be his.

 

[Elan]

One of the recommendations for computer safety for kids used to be to force them to use a computer in a place that's visible to the family, like the family room. It helps prevent them from venturing into websites that are inappropriate for their age or even dangerous. I know that's less likely to happen today with the prevalence of internet connected phones, laptops,, etc., for teens, but it still seems like a valid approach for younger children.

For an 8 year old to have an Ipad with internet access that he would use in his room alone seems to be making it too easy for him to end up places on the Internet where you wouldn't want him. If the issue is that his sister is driving him to escape to his room, maybe the parents need to involve the sister in other activities, so some of his gaming can take place where he's around the family, rather than isolated.

I also agree that a $600 electronic device is not appropriate for an 8 year old. It's just too fragile to expect someone of that age to care for properly. I bought one for my 20+ as a gift, but would never have given her this type of electronics when she was his age. She did have the handheld Nintendo when she was slightly older than he is, but again, used it for the most part when around the family. And with that, I didn't have to worry about what she was accessing.

I could see having a family IPad that he could have access to sometimes, in the right setting and for limited time. It's a great device to play with and it would allow him the fun and experience of learning how to use it. But it's different to access one occasionally, with permission, than to have it be his.

Good advice. One option is to power the router off at a certain time every evening with a timer. I haven't done this, but a colleague has used this method effectively.

 

[Ken555]

The iPad 2 (last years model) is still available at the Apple Store for $399:

http://store.apple.com/us/buy/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/ipad2

I also agree with the earlier post about an iPod Touch, instead. Cheaper, smaller, and much more portable...plus many of the educational and gaming software for the iPad is also available for the iPod Touch so when it's time to upgrade all the software purchased (or downloaded for free) will also work with the new device.

Also, I suggest you read this re Apple's included parental controls for their devices:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4213

 

[Elan]

If you decide to look at an iPod Touch, here's a good alternative that may actually be better than the Touch, given that the parents own Android devices:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...=1341425908&sr=8-1&keywords=galaxy+player+5.0

This would be a good compromise between a larger tablet (difficult to hold for small hands) and a very small iPod Touch. Had these been out at the time, I would have likely opted for one over the Touch for my daughter as it's more versatile.

 

[ampaholic]

My DD with Downs plays lots of games on her Ipod Touch (16gig) I bought for $85 on Craig's List. Shop the used market - you might be surprised.

 

[islandog]

What great information. A lot of things I did not take into consideration. He is a very responsible kid but there are always outside influences and I need to make sure of the parental controls. I have heard good things about Samsung Galaxy so I will read more on it. I like the idea of the Ipod being able to upgrade eventually to the Ipad so I will check that out too. I need to get caught up and get out of the dark ages. Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.