Do Kids Really Need Tablets?

by AdriHead Posted 2012/09/11 20:05:50

Related Topics: Business, Laptop, Technology, Kids, smartphone, Tablet, Tablets, Kid, App, LA, Price, Toy, Selling, Toys R Us

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409 votes
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	Yes, it's a good idea	50 votes	12%
	They don't need it, but it may be good for them	177 votes	43%
	No, absolutely not	182 votes	44%

Before people even knew what a tablet was -- and how it differed from a laptop or smartphone -- some couldn't wait to get their hands on it. Now that it's been around for a few years, it's time for kids to jump on the bandwagon. With their own kid-version of a tablet, of course. The child-friendly Tabeo will set you back about $150 and it'll be available at Toys R Us. Do you think having tablets for kids is a good idea?

LATIMES.COM reports:
Toys R Us said it will begin selling a tablet designed for kids that will feature extensive parental controls, 50 preloaded apps and games and a cheaper price than other tablets.

+10

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Jdogg 2012/09/11 20:55:27

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+13
At that age They will get more entertainment from a big box.
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Faith ~... to Pitaya ... 2012/09/13 14:12:26

Where is that study?

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Pitaya ... to Faith ~... 2012/09/13 21:06:04

http://www.medicinenet.com/sc...

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Faith ~... to Pitaya ... 2012/09/13 22:35:33

That link is about children watching violence and sexual Images on TV

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spencerific93 2012/09/12 09:35:57

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

Need? No. But they don't need Gameboys or Nintendo DSes either. Maybe giving a 3-year-old an iPad is excessive, but I don't see any problems with a child-friendly version, like the one mentioned. Besides, it's not my job to tell people what to buy (or not buy) their kids. That's between them and their bank accounts.

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gone i guess 2012/09/12 09:27:36

No, absolutely not

too young

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Tina 2012/09/12 09:16:30

No, absolutely not

+2
No, I think technological stuff like that should be for 11yr olds and above.

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Clare to Tina 2012/09/12 20:11:00

why???

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mizzSHADYgirl 2012/09/12 08:57:43

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

ehh sure

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Jiorgia 2012/09/12 07:51:23

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+2
like it or lump it, technology is our future and children should learn about it/how to use it from a young age, but not on it 24/7.

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Boo! 2012/09/12 07:30:48

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+2
With some kids it may help them a bit... but they dont need to be on it 24/7

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@CANISAY1 2012/09/12 06:15:01

Yes, it's a good idea

+1
it's depends about the kids

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MOMMA THOMAS 2012/09/12 05:47:59

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

...SEEMS LIKE IT'S A PART OF "KEEPING UP" WITH THE NEXT GENERATION. ..............GREAT GRANDMA

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Omni 2012/09/12 05:43:17 (edited)

No, absolutely not

+2
Children are airheads. Give them anything and they'll make an adventure out of it. So with that said, why would you give your child a tablet? Give them something that'll allow them to develop their imagination, not stunt it.

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Tamara McMillan 2012/09/12 04:04:53

Yes, it's a good idea

I think the way technology is going it IS a good and wise buy for them. I see my 2 yr old grandson and it blows my mind how adapt and good he is at getting around and using the IPad! They take to learning and pick up on it all really well at a young age so if it is going to be a part of their future is should definately be introduced to them as soon as possible.

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Goducks5 2012/09/12 03:33:37

No, absolutely not

+5
It would be like giving them a cell phone. I didn't have a cell phone until I was 14 years old. I got more entertainment from going outside and playing with kids in my neighborhood. I let kids play games on my phones though. When I see little kids having cell phones, it's almost wants me to punch the parents in the face.

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KeeganTheAwesome 2012/09/12 03:15:10

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

it's perfectly fine to use as a tool to help teach your kids something (e.g. writing, math, logic, reading).

However, you still need to be there to teach them. That tablet your son's holding is meant to help you teach them how to get around in life and enjoy the world they live in, NOT to give your kids something to do while you go off doing other things.

Besides, that window of development isn't really the best time to introduce technology to your kid on a large scale. They should be learning to speak, read, and use their brain during that time, not tapping buttons on a piece of plastic.

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Classof2017!!:) 2012/09/12 02:53:53

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

My cousin needs it so it can help him to learn how to talk and he is 4.

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Christopher Kirchen 2012/09/12 02:52:48

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

If they can be taught to use them.

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Robin 2012/09/12 02:52:32

No, absolutely not

+4
The closest thing my kids have to a tablet is an etch a sketch.

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MlssCue... to Robin 2012/09/13 05:38:46

Ha! So true!

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chrystal97 2012/09/12 02:41:13

Yes, it's a good idea

Anything that is learned earlier is better for children. Schools start teaching kids a second or third language when they are young. It's proven that the younger mind is easier to teach. I don't think schools should require it, but most parents should buy their child a tablet for their personal benefit. It would also be a lot lighter than the 6 heavy textbooks kids carry around all day.

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MiMi 2012/09/12 02:38:16

Yes, it's a good idea

Keeps them occupied and it can be educational.

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AvK 2012/09/12 02:28:27

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+2
Kids need more involved parents.

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Tastentier 2012/09/12 02:26:43

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

I don't have kids, but I could imagine that a tablet keeps children entertained in the car when travelling or in the doctor's waiting room. And there are many apps for tablet PCs that promote learning and creativity, so a tablet may be a more sensible investment than a video gaming console.

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««Gingey, the Master Debate... 2012/09/12 01:51:59

No, absolutely not

+2
I'm 21 and I don't have one

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OhSoNiceMe 2012/09/12 01:44:30

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+6
BED SHEET FORTS > TABLETS!!

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riptide115 to OhSoNiceMe 2012/09/12 03:49:34

+1
me and my brother used to camp out using blanket forts all the time when we were kids.
BEST TOY EVA

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MrsB 2012/09/12 01:09:01

Yes, it's a good idea

+2
I'm a huge advocate of the LeapFrog LeapPad. Was it expensive? Yes. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

If there is something out there that the child thinks is cool, lets them believe that they are getting to play video games (which aren't allowed in my house) and they are learning the whole time ... I think it's a home run.

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Osaka 2012/09/12 01:08:20

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

Well the leap-pad looked interesting and you know the younger kids are always wanting to go around and imitate their parents. It would be logical because who wants to turn their back on their tablet and hear *smash* then "Uh oh".

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cynical.not.sinister 2012/09/12 00:52:39

No, absolutely not

+5
What ever happened to building blocks, legos, hot wheels, play houses, tea parties, coloring . . . you know, things that actually stimulated creativity and imagination?!?!?

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angel face 2012/09/12 00:44:04

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

+1
It depends. If it's some little tablet that teaches them abc's and how to count and learning words and stuff then yes. But if they are old enough from 4th grade through 8th then they shouldn't have any technology. You should have a desktop computer so if they want a social website, Myspace is the right move. No iPhones. No laptops. No cellular device.

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Loser lollipop 2012/09/12 00:43:26

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

Better for the parents, whose tablets they'll then be less likely to break

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glass_butterfly ~YSU~ 2012/09/12 00:41:12

No, absolutely not

+3
This is what they need for fun:

It worked for years before all these and it's just as fun!

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Tastentier to glass_b... 2012/09/12 02:32:27

Many tablet apps serve the same purpose:

Only that they don't waste paper, can be used anywhere (in the backseat of a car, at the doctor's, in the line at the supermarket etc.), and the finished piece of art can be emailed to grandma :)

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glass_b... to Tastentier 2012/09/12 17:47:56

+1
The same as the Wii replacing kids actually going outside. Electronics are all well and good but nothing can or should replace the real thing. Kids already have their eyes plastered against some kind of screen enough already, no need to add more of a reason kids are so anti-social now-a-days. And not to add it's cheaper.

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Tastentier to glass_b... 2012/09/12 18:09:58

I agree with that. Children need sunlight and fresh air, and their immune systems need to be kept busy to prevent them from developing allergies and autoimmune diseases (according to the hygiene hypothesis anyway. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... ). Tablet PCs are nice for a long car ride or a rainy day, but they shouldn't replace outdoor activities.

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Shadow_Wolf 2012/09/12 00:21:52 (edited)

They don't need it, but it may be good for them

I'm also sick of seeing five year olds (highly exagerated they're like 7) with iPhones, who the hell are they gonna call.

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Michelle 2012/09/12 00:19:43

No, absolutely not

+3
Educational "apps" are just less hands-on ways of teaching children than people have been doing forever. Get your kids moving! Let their imaginations run wild, don't feed them pre-built games. Get them books and read along with them instead of leaving the technology to teach them for you.

I mean, I don't think it can hurt-- but I wouldn't call it "good for them".

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Ville Elo-Squiggles\(>.<)/ 2012/09/11 23:45:09 (edited)

No, absolutely not

$Ville Elo-Squiggles\(>.<)/$

+4
call my dumb but agh. Too much technology... It's making people lazy/er.

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SirWence 2012/09/11 23:41:53 (edited)

No, absolutely not

+3
I really would rather kids be running around and playing (6ish and under) then sitting on the floor/sofa using a tablet - they can spend many a year doing that - but I suppose if the parents want to go the tablet route its their choice haha

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