So I Got My 2-Year-Old a Tablet...

[jimboa24]

I'm a little conflicted. My cell died, so I went to get it upgraded. When I did, they offered me a tablet for my son, and I took it. He loves it obviously, but now I have a dilemma.

On one hand, I don't want my son to be a zombie who is incapable of entertaining himself or staying engaged without technology. That being said, I don't want to handicap him by holding back his familiarity with technology. Things like tablets are widely used in the job market (from in nursing to businesses and stores, etc), and knowing how to use tech is extremely important to be a desirable worker, and extensive familiarity with computers, tablets, and other tech from a very young age could give him a huge advantage. I was having a discussion with my supervisor just last night about how even some of my younger co-workers (right out of high school and in their 20's), who have NO excuse not to know how to use computers or how to type are absolutely clueless, and it's hurting our numbers.

So, where's the balance? How do I make sure he isn't a Luddite when it comes to knowing how to use tech, but not overexpose him so he isn't addicted to tech like I am?

[Deleted]

lego's are fun n all but your prepping a kid for the future. A tablet is what will benefit him most.

[Piglord]

As an old fart even I will admit the importance of technology. I see nothing wrong with exposing your son this early, since tech will be a huge part of his entire life. However, this is also the absolute best time to start teaching him responsible limits with technology.

[Herecius]

The way our minds actually process and store information has fundamentally changed with the advent of the Internet and advanced technology.

There's nothing wrong with somebody learning to use technology at a very young age at all, in my opinion.

Supervise carefully either way, in particular try to perhaps steer him towards reading apps and the like? A tablet's greatest strength in my opinion is its function as a book.

[Glimpse]

I work at a company that teaches programming to kids. We start at 7 years old.

If they can spell, they should be able to type (on a physical keyboard, not just auto corrected iPad bs). I don't think it needs to start before then. I wouldn't be surprised if it has a negative developmental impact starting at young ages like 2. Not saying that it will, just that it wouldn't surprise me.

Lego(and other building toys), art, and physical activities are more suitable for a toddler than a tablet.

[the game]

lego's are fun n all but your prepping a kid for the future. A tablet is what will benefit him most.

I disagree. Legos are a great way to get a child to take an interest in engineering and construction. also creativity.

[Deleted]

make sure he watches plenty of porn

it's healthy

[Deleted]

Your child is mentally challenged if he wouldn't be able to work with a tablet even if he never saw one until the age of 18. Literally the only people struggling with tech can be people who never used any in any shape or form and thus have no background with it.

Your child learns more from playing with toys than with tech up to a certain age.

[Independent voter]

Set time limits, he can have the tablet for 2 hours a day or whatever.

[Celista]

Balance play time outside with tech stuff. Really how long does it take to master using a tablet...even for a 2-year-old, not that long...mastery and use are two different beasts, I don't have to relearn how to access the internet every time I turn on my laptop.

[Suggs]

My lad is 3 and half and he has had a tablet since 2. Also traded in my old ps3 with all its games and ended up getting a wiiu for him last month with some mario games not bad to say it was a free transfer and im not a console person anyway so was best choice.
Can play mario cart quite good now

[Gilgemesh]

Just be sure to make the kid put the tablet down and do other things. Electronics addiction is KILLING our youth. There are parents out there with completely inconsolable kids because they were irresponsible with tablets.
But. If the kid learns that the tablet isn't a "anytime I want it" thing, then it's a great learning tool.
I see too many kids being on electronics 24/7. It does not bode well for the next generation.

I read somewhere that 1.5 hours a day of electronics and 1.5 hours of outdoor play during each day help keep a child balanced. Though I'm not finding where I read that now. Perhaps an enigma. meh.

Also read that allowing children to have screens in their bedrooms is a bad idea. I use this as an adult. My room has no screens. I have a room with the computer and the living room doubles as a home theater. My room is both bedroom and reading nook. I don't even bring my phone into my room, the charger is in the computer room.

[IIamaKing]

Lots of time later on learn to use a tablet, its not like they are complex.

[Rennadrel]

lego's are fun n all but your prepping a kid for the future. A tablet is what will benefit him most.

Biggest bullshit I have ever heard in my life. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how to use a tablet, and the earlier kids are exposed to electronic devices, the worse it is on their eye sight long term, as well as their brain development. Kids can't think creatively these days in real world situations because they are not given tedious tasks that require deep thought to solve.

- - - Updated - - -

My lad is 3 and half and he has had a tablet since 2. Also traded in my old ps3 with all its games and ended up getting a wiiu for him last month with some mario games not bad to say it was a free transfer and im not a console person anyway so was best choice.
Can play mario cart quite good now

Mario games hand hold too much these days, too many easy ways around the "difficult" puzzles. When I was 3 and a half, we didn't have no saves, infinite life cheats or golden tanooki suits that let us fly across half of the level. No, we had to figure it out on our own! No one coddled us and no one put up with our whining when we kept dying in our video games, either we were told to turn it off or figure it out for ourselves.

[I Push Buttons]

Give him something productive to do on the tablet... I am sure there are learning games and like math and junk.

[vindicatorx]

you got a tablet for a 2 year old?

[Underverse]

Technology use at a young age is the greatest predictor of autism. Why? Because these kids don't learn how to socially interact.

[Elbruho]

Wow, I'm so tired, I actually read that you went and got your 2 year old a table.. x)

[Dragoncurry]

lol dude "get familiar with a tablet"? Takes like no effort. Your kid is jus gonna have eye problems if he plays w it this early.

[Alteiry]

I'm a little conflicted. My cell died, so I went to get it upgraded. When I did, they offered me a tablet for my son, and I took it. He loves it obviously, but now I have a dilemma.

On one hand, I don't want my son to be a zombie who is incapable of entertaining himself or staying engaged without technology. That being said, I don't want to handicap him by holding back his familiarity with technology. Things like tablets are widely used in the job market (from in nursing to businesses and stores, etc), and knowing how to use tech is extremely important to be a desirable worker, and extensive familiarity with computers, tablets, and other tech from a very young age could give him a huge advantage. I was having a discussion with my supervisor just last night about how even some of my younger co-workers (right out of high school and in their 20's), who have NO excuse not to know how to use computers or how to type are absolutely clueless, and it's hurting our numbers.

So, where's the balance? How do I make sure he isn't a Luddite when it comes to knowing how to use tech, but not overexpose him so he isn't addicted to tech like I am?

Easy - boundaries. Only allow use of the tablet under certain hours and circumstances. My gamer uncle does this with his kids and it works very well.