I cannot believe I'm thinking about getting my 6 yo an iPod Touch

[ny biker]

That was my reaction, too. I have a hard time appreciating just how different children's lives and educations are thanks to digital this and computerized that. Heck, I didn't own a cell phone of my own until 2006, at the age of 37. LW, do you think there's much chance that she'll lose it? That would be my fear. But I misplace my own iPhone at least once a day, so I'm not sure that's a function of age.

I know a lot of teenagers who can't take care of their iphones/ipods. They're always losing them or breaking them.

[Pax]

Just a suggestion, let her pick the color, but make her keep an otterbox on it.

And they're much cheaper on Amazon.

[channlluv]

I like the "checking out" idea. It will give her a chance to show responsibility.

I also think it's fine to give kids who show an interest in technology the tools to foster that interest. My daughter was helping her dad build computers when she was three. She can load software, troubleshoot tech issues, and so on. She goes to a tech school. Her friends are mostly geeks. It's a tech world.

The geeks shall inherit the Earth.

Roxy

[GLC1968]

The geeks shall inherit the Earth.

I thought they already had!

I like the idea and think having to do a 'check out' with mom and dad makes a lot of sense. Actually, so does an Otterbox. I've got one on my iphone and even though I've dropped it numerous times, it still looks brand new (the phone, not the Otterbox!).

[trista]

We got my daughter's ipod touch for her when she was 6. She's now 7 1/2 and it's been one of the best gifts I ever got her. There are SO many fun educational games she can play. It's a better investment than the other electronic gadgets aimed for kids b/c it can do just about everything she wants, and it grows with her. We have rules of course... it has to be checked out with permission, time is limited, not allowed ever on school days, you must be sitting when playing, and earbuds are not allowed (she can listen to music on the charger station speakers). She plays math games, problem solving games, stuff like that.... she loves it.

I say go for it!

[Cynedra]

My sister got her daughter the IPod Touch at age 7. At the time I couldn't understand it. But I do now. My boys spend more time using the apps on my SmartPhone than I do. They have some really good ones. If I had the money, I would possibly consider it (or something similar) for my 6 year old, even though every part of me still screams NO!!! as well.

[Tri Girl]

It's difficult for many of us (as 30-40 something-yer-old adults) to accept the changing world. I'm sure it was that way with PC's for our parents. It's the same way for kids now. Their minds are wired differently than ours are. As a teacher I have to consciously think of how to integrate technology into every lesson to keep them engaged and challenge them. It's how they learn best. Maybe not how we learned, and definitely not how our parents learned- but it's an ever-changing world.

Personally, I think an itouch is a great gift. The games on it will challenge her and keep her learning the way that she'll be learning for the rest of her life. I think a phone at that age is ridiculous, but a learning tool is a different story.

[Kiwi Stoker]

A friend's 4 year old has a iTouch. They like the fact that they DON'T have it connected to the internet and that it isn't a cellphone.

They only let her use it at home and they have attached a electronic "finder" to the back of the case, so if it gets lost they can find it.