agreed, now what can they use responsibly and how do they learn it?TabascoNatalie said:IMHO, children shouldn't be given items they can't use responsibly. Laptops of their own, smartphones, etc. we don't allow kids to drive cars or purchase cutlery, yet it seems perfectly acceptable to give them iPads with credit card details. Hello?
To follow your analogy, we give kids progressive responsibility with cars, we don't just withhold them until they turn 21 then say, "Here you go, the freeway is over there."
So, what's the right age for what technology....personal choice with the maturity of the child, the effort the parent is willing to put into coaching and mentoring. My son has had his laptop since the age of 9, smart phone at 11. Along the way he has had situations that have been learning opportunities for him and I think he's better off for having gone through them. Now, would I let him sit up in his room with his laptop for hours alone without any oversight, of course not. We preach balance and responsibility.
I don't think there's a magic age - some 16 yos can't be trusted with a smartphone, some 10yos are ready.