Ipod = responsibility

To me, 8 years old is too young for an Ipod. Perhaps I'm too old fashioned, sometimes when I see a young kid holding an mobile phone, and playing with the games or sending sms, I just don't think it's good to do so. I do not encourage young kids play too much with gadgets, and I think it's better for them to go out and have more activities physically. Listening to music at home or in the car is fine, but having Ipod to listen to music all the time outside means you will miss some chances to communicate with others. Also, using earphones doesn't seem to be good for the ears. But, if all the friends are having and using Ipods, I suppose it's difficult to persuade the little one not to buy one.

Snuggle 8 years old is too young for an ipod. There are ipod shuffles for way cheaper but keep in mind that if you do give in to a I want item that you then are setting yourself up for I want each time. Children are so innocent and trust too often and unfortunately it will be missing in a blink of an eye. So I probably would explain why she cannot at this time have it and maybe after sometime that you do want to get it for her it is because you feel she should have something this way she knows that she was rewarded with something and not because she was asking for it.

I think it depends on the 8 year old. I have an 8 year old, 6 year old and 3 year old. They all 3 have the smaller ipod shuffle. The one my 3 year old has is a hand me down. I had it first then gave it to my 8 year old when she was like 6. Then she treated it good so for Christmas I got her one and gave her sister the one she had. Then seeing that she treated it okay this past christmas I got her a new one and the one she had got handed down to her brother. So they all 3 have one now. The shuffle's are only around $50. You also can buy refurbished ipods from apple's website. They sometimes don't take care of their stuff but they seem to be doing pretty well with their ipods. maybe start her off with a cheaper version and then if she does okay with it upgrade her for her birthday or christmas.

Yes, 8 is too young for an iPod. The time for an iPod is when the child can afford to buy it themselves--same with cell phones. (And don't give me that safety argument about the phone, there's always someone around with a cell phone!) Time on the bus used to mean socializing, laughing, telling jokes, discussing the serious issues of life like if a sleepover should be attended. Now we shut ourselves away with those damned iPods and text with our cells instead of actually talking to others. We'll be sorry, count on it. Don't let your daughter have an iPod, maybe she'll have a chance to be normal.

It's amazing how younger and younger kids are getting and how much technological stuff they are allowed to have. Ten year olds with cellphones now! which well that's great, but I mean ten year olds with androids! It's just crazy if you ask me! I think that a child should be a certain age and have shown they can be responsible, but then again, you can usually trust your own kids it's others kids you're not sure about. I would say no, just because I couldn't trust other kids.

I fully agree. We've been going round and round about giving the oldest a cellphone finally. Everyone else has one.. even kids younger than him have one. But I can't always trust him to do his chores.. he'll tell me they're done when they're not. He has broken everything he's ever gotten. He broke his PSP just days after getting it, broke his CD player days after getting it... and I'm to trust him with a cellphone? Now I realize some of the issue is the younger kids.. if they get their hands on something you can kiss it goodbye.. but shouldn't he be responsible enough not to let them get their hands on it?

8 year olds don't need any of that kind of stuff! My 10 year old GD has had a cell for some time...granted there are times she does need as with a divorce, the times she goes to her dad's is scary at times, as he doesn't really watch her or look out for her and the cell gives her help when she might need it or to call mom if she needs that, and she'll bring it here when I babysit so mom can call her...but I have noticed she texts her friends alot while here. I don't think that is necessary..call on the phone or just enjoy being with her grand parents! Kids this age don't need all that stuff..and most of the time it is just cause "everyone else has one!". When I pick her up from school, I watch the kids and so many of them have a cell to their ears already and they aren't off school grounds yet! I know some might be calling a working mom to say they are on their way home or something like that for "do you know where your child is?" kind of thing...but that'd be the only reason for them to take them to school. THe school doesn't allow them turned on, and always in back packs until school lets out. And if you have the "can't keep track of things" issue you mention...for sure...I wouldn't let her have one. I don't have a problem with music, but I think people these days have to much plugged into their ears andnot paying attention to life around them and that is sad. And to start it at age 8...I remember when I wanted a record player so bad when I was a teen...finally got one when I was in the 8th grade!

hi 3SnuggleBunnies oh she is being childish as she is a child and I know you are right. so some kids get too much expensive crap for free that does not mean that its good for any child to have a hundred dollar ipod. my tablemate who is 70 just got 'one from her brother which says to me little kids who are still just little kids do not need ipods. in fact a lot of older peo ple who are always short on money wou ld be better off to buy the things they really need before tossing one hundred dollars bills arou ond for the newest ipod or any other expensive electronic toy, they do not need the expensive electronic toys but they do need to pay for gas food rent and utilities first. or am I just old fashioned?

I don't think I would get an Ipod at that age. I think there are some cheap look-alikes that might be ok, but I wouldn't get a $100 gadget! She should wait until she is a little older.

the fact that everyone on the bus has an ipod doesnt mean she needs to have an ipod.. has a parent you need to put her limits and teach her how the things work if not you will have sirious troubles with her tomorrow.. its always better to have a normal problem today and not a BIG problem tomorrow ;) i hope this comment help you.