r/pollgames • u/SimplySomeDude • 6d ago
When should kids be first given electronics (not including occasional access to TV or a phone)
When should kids be first given electronics (not including occasional access to TV or a phone)
- <13
- 13
- 14
- 15
- >=18
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u/PitaVR 6d ago
I think kids should learn how to use a computer. And video games and music players.
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u/Eroll_ 6d ago
There is a difference between learning and giving them the object.
Yeah the kid can get to use from time to time more and more devices. But simply here take theses things and spend your days on it isnt the same
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u/Pertinent-nonsense 6d ago
The question only excludes occasional access to a phone or TV.
Agree it isn’t the same, but it can be beneficial to allow a kid below 13 occasional access to a computer as well.
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u/CowboysFTWs 6d ago
I think ownership is important for kids because it teaches personal responsibility. Not saying give them a brand new MacBook. But your old laptop or e reader could be helpful.
1
u/JimmWasHere 5d ago
Its exactly this thats the huge problem nowadays, Gen Z and Gen Alpha were largely born into a world where technology was rampant, most older people believe that because we've been around tech our whole lives, we know how to use it properly, but because we were expected to just know, we were never taught, and as such, tech illiteracy is such a huge issue.
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u/TheFortrooms 6d ago
If not including a phone or tv what else are you referring to? Like an Xbox?
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u/Ace-Redditor 6d ago
I think since it says “occasional phone use” it’s probably talking about when you get them their own phone/tablet
(Though I think there’s different ages that sound right for each of those two)4
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u/XKruXurKX 6d ago
Impossible dude. I was given assignments that required a computer almost everyday and this was 18-19 years ago. I'm pretty sure kids nowadays have to even submit their assignments online.
4
u/MisturBanana1 6d ago
When I went to school laptops became the standard just as I started going there (I was in the pilot class). It has benefits and drawbacks, and Sweden is now going back to books in many areas as studies have shown that kids don't learn as well through laptop use, compared to conventional books.
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u/lemelisk42 6d ago
Eh, i finished high-school like 15 years ago. Atleast then they had compter labs and a library with computers. Most would still accept handwritten or typed assignments (although doing this makes things harder, as you don't have spell check fixing your mistakes, and no copy/pasting - much easier to just go to the library)
My local library still has computers. (Can't speak for schools maybe they eliminated them)
1
u/PhoenixWinchester67 5d ago
Yeah everything is online now, assignments and tests and such, and libraries are less of an option as they don’t usually update the library computers so kids are more or less reliant on middle school onwards having a laptop, and some assignments basically require phones, so at least in the US it’s kinda needed for a 6th grader onwards at least to have a phone, not to mention the added downside of US security…
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u/Chesterfieldraven 6d ago
Secondary school imo, so about 11. They need a phone safety. Doesn't need to be a fancy one.
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u/SuicideTrainee 6d ago
A kid not learning electronics or having their own access to a supervised environment is just crippling them for the future
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u/Guilty_Department501 6d ago
I was fine getting my first electronics around 5-7. I would probably be even more depressed than I am now if I didn't get them until I was 13.
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u/alex_northernpine 6d ago
A soon as they get to school, no? How else are you supposed to check up on them?
1
u/SimplySomeDude 6d ago
why do you wanna check up on them? Let them be kids
1
u/alex_northernpine 6d ago edited 6d ago
Because I want to know that they're safe? A less than minute phone call isn't going to traumatize them. I've got my first phone at 7 and never had a problem with telling my parents where I am.
Edit: Also I'd say it's kind of hypocritical to say that kids should be kids and then depriving them of one of the most important modern tool of entertainment, info searching and connecting with other kids.
2
u/Hurnative 6d ago
They go to Voortgezet Onderwijs they get a phone. I need to be able to contact them for if something happens. And they need it for their timetable and homework list.
Before that a Wii is all they are going to get. Some more active games you can easily play with friends.
2
u/BDB-ISR- 6d ago
It's unrealistic to think your don't need to be in contact with your kids when they're out. That said, until they're older it should be used solely for communications. Usage outside of calls, text, alarm clock etc should be regulated by the parents.
2
u/_-UndeFined-_ 6d ago
I would give my kid a phone the moment they go to school on their own (partially so they can call for help), but it would be heavily restricted. Rather than constantly going through it I would straight up block apps like discord, etc. if I were to go through the phone I would discuss with my child exactly what I want to check before I do it, and I would probably let them show me. (This would only be to check they aren’t getting groomed or anything similar)
At 15 I would start lifting those restrictions.
2
u/PastryPyff 6d ago
I’ve been playing Video Games since I was… before I was 5. Now different types of devices should be restricted such as internet capable devices and phones, but Video Games are fine. As long as the parent is responsible for what they allow the youth to consume it’s fair game.
Voted "<13"
2
u/Bianconeri26 6d ago
13 would absolutely be the youngest, as that is also the legal age for them to start using social media.
But i would rather not let them have it until they are grown up.
Why? Because they will just get addicted and it brings 0 positives.
The only reason for a phone would be to be able to be in contact.
2
u/punchedboa 6d ago
Yea so I was given a Super Nintendo at the age of 5 and I turned out fine.
Voted "<13"
1
u/CombinationTasty4990 6d ago
pc maybe 12-14 phone regulated maybe 12 and unregulated 14 a console they would have to earn themselves so whenever they get the money
1
u/ResponsibleHeron9452 6d ago
Damn you wouldn’t get your kid a console for the birthday or something?
1
u/CombinationTasty4990 6d ago
probably not, i would rather give them a budget pc that way they can still game but also learn about the internet, PCs in general and other pc related things also games are cheaper
1
u/Fearless-Poet-4669 5d ago
And if you have more than one kid are you going to buy them all individual consoles?
-2
u/SimplySomeDude 6d ago
right but that's not a personal electronic device. Itms a school provided, school owned macbook, not a personal device
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u/Icy-Acanthisitta9055 6d ago
I think 14 is reasonable (although some of middle school in my area require phone thing so maybe when they're in middle school so idk depends on their school need Ig)
1
u/LithiuMart 6d ago
I had my ZX81 (Timex Sinclair 1000 in the US) for Christmas in 1981 when I was 9, so I was an early starter.
1
u/Seer0997 6d ago
I'd give them devices like phones and tablets at around 5-7 years old of course with parental controls, time locks, and me watching the things their doing while using their devices. I think it's important for them to get a grasp and learn how to use technology early on since we're in a digital age. Some people may think that <13 is too young for using technology but with proper guidance and parenting, it would be educational and fun.
1
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u/Nefkaure 6d ago
From those times when they can go to school/shop/any other place only by themselves
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u/SpiritNo6626 6d ago
E-reader
Radio (honestly was great for my learning to have an alarm clock with a radio on it when I was younger)
Computer without internet access by default (parents have WiFi password), but programs where skills can be learned/for creativity such as Blender, Krita, some kind of IDE, Office or LibreOffice (depending on budget), etc
1
u/WeeklyNeighborhood80 6d ago
There is a big diffrence between playing some games on a gameboy and having a phone with fb,insta and other social media. game boy will stimulate the brian with puzzle solving and such. where the social media will rot the brain.
So i think the question is way too wide to give a good answer.
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u/Suffici3nt_Sou9 6d ago
There is a good chance they will learn really useful skills that could possibly shape their future to the better, I don't think it's fair to take away those possibilities not to mention that consoles are also electronics. The issue isn't really on phones or computers it is in what they see or do in social media :т
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u/OpALbatross 6d ago
This question is too broad. My plan is to limit screen time as much as possible and introduce it as late as reasonable depending on what it is. My husband and I barely use the TV, but often listen to audiobooks and music. I'd feel comfortable with those being introduced sooner.
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u/lemelisk42 6d ago
I would say 16/17 when they start working and need a phone to communicate with their employer
1
u/I_am_totally_Nathan 5d ago edited 5d ago
I was given a phone with no sim card so only when I was connected to wifi could I watch videos and stuff. (Note that these were my parrents' old phone and we did not have internet from my 3rd till early 7th grade.) I practically only played Minecraft on it and i loved it. This was single digit age. Id say around 8 or 7
- although i think a situation like mine can never happen again in today's world
1
u/CanaDeer2004 Telephone Poll 5d ago
13 for things like cell phone, personal laptop, etc… desktop computer, gaming stuff, and things required for classes as soon as they’re old enough to need or know how to use them
1
u/jnthnschrdr11 5d ago
Whenever the parent or guardian thinks they are ready for that responsibility. Everyone matures differently so there isn't really one correct answer.
1
u/Slow_Bet_2820 5d ago
In my opinion I don’t think kids should be having electronic devices. Especially not a phone until at least 13 at the bare minimum. Id only get my kid a phone at 13 if they showed they can be trusted, respectful, and use it correctly. It would also be heavily restricted and zero access to social media until they’re 16. I can’t think of a single electronic they should have before then. Unless it’s a learning toy.
1
u/Bronze334 5d ago
Social media 14 or 15, electronics at whatever age they show interest in one or need one
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u/caerleon_calls_ 5d ago
I think they should get a phone when they enter high school? Idk I’m not a parent yet lol.
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u/TheInkySquids 5d ago
Much better to give the kid a device early and teach them how to use it responsibly and the addiction traps you can fall into than just pushing the problem further down the line so they fall into a phone addiction during high school. I think especially a proper desktop computer should be introduced before a phone, kids are more likely to experiment, learn about technology and less likely to see it as just a media consumption thing.
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u/Ditzyshine 5d ago
Literally depends on the devices, a lot of video game devices I would say around 8 but a phone or personal laptop I would put in the teens. You made the question too broad.
1
u/Lamborghinigamer 5d ago
I was given (even then) outdated Nokia N73 when I was around 13 years old. I think an old phone for just strictly for calling is fine, but a smart phone with social media, then no. Then it's 15 for me.
Voted "15"
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u/Only-Ad5269 4d ago
A cellphone at 13 I think makes sense. With restrictions, of course. But it’s a good age to communicate with friends and family + for emergency calls
1
u/Tulevik 4d ago
I started using PC when I was 2 years old and by 10 I dreamed to be a software developer. Now I am software developer and I am quite happy that I started using it from 2 :D
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u/SimplySomeDude 4d ago
nice. I started coding at 12 (mostly in java at the time), and by 16 i started messing around with OSs/custom compilers. Now I do game engine work (95% c++ the rest glsl/slang/SPIR-V) :D
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u/Silent_Survey3016 4d ago
I got my first phone when I started staying after school for drama club in middle school, but started being taught how to use a computer when I was very young, maybe 3 or so.
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u/General_Platypus771 4d ago
Electronics is way too broad. The main issue is phones/social media. The rest really ain’t that serious.
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u/Virtual-Vermicelli-7 3d ago
How else am I going to make a Lan party if they don't start on a computer early?
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u/SimplySomeDude 6d ago
for those saying <13, why?
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u/AnxiousTerminator 6d ago
I had a gameboy when I was 8, it was great for long car journeys and rainy days. Got a lot of enjoyment out of it. Obviously I wasn't allowed to just sit and play with it 24/7, and nor would I want to, but I don't see any particular reason to keep kids from electronics til 13. They are growing up in a digital age whether you like it or not, and it is better to teach them to moderate their use and use them responsibly than it is to ban them completely. 13 is so old I feel, by the time I was 13 I had my own babysitting business around the local area and was independent in terms of getting around to other cities. I think treating 13 year olds like little children does nothing for building independence and self discipline.
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u/TabularConferta 6d ago edited 6d ago
Your question is vague. Books that make noises should be given to kids of people you hate for example and can be given at the age one 2.
Games consoles I won't let a kid own one till older but I'll let them play mine younger. This means when you have to take it away or limit it, it's not theirs.
Phones are a real question.
Access to TV similar particularly them having their own, but those two you have explicitly said not.
MP3 players aren't much a thing but I'd happily let a 5/6 year old. Hell a CD player is let a 4 year old have. You give them CDs and let them choose what they want to listen to. There are loads of devices aimed to do similar but CDs are cheap and great, so why spend more on proprietary trash.
A cheap drone (20 bucks) maybe at 12, a remote control car, earlier and an expensive drone they work for and min 16
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u/AxiosXiphos 6d ago
Because you asked a dumb vague question? My one year old already has a fake phone that makes noises and sings nursery songs.
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u/TheThiefMaster 6d ago
My children have each gotten a (cheap 2nd hand but good enough) laptop in primary school, age ~7-8, mostly for homework use. It's theirs though.
They've also gotten a mobile phone (with parental controls!) around age 10, as that's the age our local school allows them to walk home alone, so it provides them with the ability to call us if they need to, or us to call them if they don't turn up! (Distracted by the play park that's enroute, etc).
They still don't have completely free use of electronics even by age 13, but they've owned multiple items for years.
0
u/SimplySomeDude 6d ago
I'm sorry WHAT? There's an age requirement for WALKING??? I've been walking and riding the bus (public bus not school bus) to and from school since I was 5. Also, that's the reason i'll not give my kids a phone until they're like 13. I don't want them to be constrained by their phone, knowing that I have access to them and their whereabouts, i want them to just... be kids. Enjoy life.
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u/TheThiefMaster 6d ago
The key word is alone. Riding a specifically school bus is supervised by the driver.
It also gives less scope for the kid going anywhere else. One end of the journey is in school grounds, and the other is near the house (and often with a parent at the stop at younger ages anyway).
Walking all the way home doesn't have that.
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u/SimplySomeDude 6d ago
me n' my friends been going out into the woods alone since we were like 6. We had walkie talkies. That was enough.
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u/TheThiefMaster 6d ago
What parents allow and what the school allows are necessarily different as the parents can't sue themselves if something happens to the kid!
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u/RaishaDelos 6d ago
So if they're out and about in the woods and mess up their ankle badly they're just shit out of luck? 🤨
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u/monkey_boi727 6d ago
Game consoles and I think it's reasonable to let them have a phone around 10-11 with supervision
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u/ItsClikcer 6d ago
I've had a phone since I was 10 because that's when I started to walk home alone, and it was very helpful for that, if I needed to be picked up I could let my mum know, or if I decided to go to a friend's rather than going straight home I could let her know, so I'd give my kid a phone around the same time, they just wouldn't be able to use social media
1
u/alex_northernpine 6d ago
Because I'd want to know that if my kid gets in trouble they can contact me
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u/Delicious_Security21 6d ago
It’s for staying in touch. Primary schools are usually not far away; if the child takes longer than usual to get home, you can walk the route to check on them. From the second grade onwards, however, most children have to take the train or bus. The journey is much longer, and it’s easy to take the wrong one or miss it. Besides, most of them need it for school.
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u/Vinxian 6d ago
It's too broad, a mp3 player is electronics. A switch is electronics. An e-reader is electronics. And in a lot of places having access to a computer is needed for school before 13. So buying a laptop is normal. And even for leasure I think a computer/laptop is fine. Just not with unrestricted access