With all the technology coming out recently, are we spoiling our children?

Question

Is it really necessary for a 10 year old kid to have so many handheld devices such as nintendo ds's, ipods, cell phones, etc.?

Answer 1

Of course its not necessary do you see Amish children dropping like flies because they don't have these.

Answer 2

No, and i think everyone agrees. Maybe a kid can have a console (like a ps2/3 or Xbox 360) and then a couple of portable devices such as an Mp3 (there are really cheap ones) and a DS for when they're going on long trips in the car or something, but a 10 year old doesn't need a phone.

Answer 3

My 5 year old has a DS. We got it because he had a pooing issue that went on for years. so we got him this special pooing entertainer (the Ped wanted him to sit on the toilet for 20mins 3 times a day). Personally i think my husband uses it more these days. Anyway it fixed the problem.

But yeah some kids are spoiled but it's the way the world is going. As long as my kids don't sit around for more than 30min (4times max a day on weekends) at a time I'm happy.

Our kids are spoiled in the out door equipment way. We have.....

Swing set with slide

sand pit (with numerous tonka trucks)

Trampoline

big plastic ride in cars

each has their own bike.

each has their own scooter and skate board (if old enough)

Street hockey stuff (mum, dad and oldest)

we have soccer goals

basket ball ring

netball ring

Volley ball net that we take to the beach on weekends or set up on the front lawn area.

cricket set plus we have a pool and heaps of pool stuff.

(Note: we have bought most of this stuff second hand)

Our yard is fenced back and front and can be broken up into 4 sections or left open so they can have races around the house and there is a paved path all around. We also have put up shade sails on the grassed areas and the two paved areas have a patio on then. The pool also has a shade sail over the shallow end for the little kids. it's really awesome I love sitting outside watching them go wild.

However we don't have much in the way of inside toys. We also don't have much in the way of inside area. It's a tiny house with a massive yard. We also live in the center of the West Australian Pilbara so we don't get much rain. and it's warm all year round.

Answer 4

Ya I don't think kids "need" those things. When I was 10 I think the coolest thing I got to play with was a nano pet and a furby. The reason behind giving 10 year olds cell phones still fails me. What kind of situation would they be in at that age where there are no adults around and they need to call home?

My cousin is 10 and whenever I see her she wants to borrow my phone so she can text message her friend from school. It seems unsafe to me for a 10 year old to be texting. I'm 19 and I've received some pretty weird texts from strangers before, ones that even creeped me out, so I would hate to imagine if a 10 year old go those.

Kids don't need to be learning how to socialize with their friends over a phone keypad. They should be out playing in the park instead of sitting at home with a nintendo paddle.

And what amazes me the most is that it seems like a LOT of parents are against giving their kids cell phones and ipods....yet there are clearly enough parents giving it to them anyways to make that the "norm"

Answer 5

Parents seem to do this by and large to pacify their children, appease them. It could be guilt and trying to give them what they never have.

It is a real shame because I know plenty of privileged parents that do not spoil their children but spend time teaching them, being parents. It is hard work. It is not easy. But some people don't want to work and are too self-involved to really parent.

Answer 6

I think some parents do spoil their kids that way! My kids have all those things, but I do it differently. my husband and I have a cabinet in our bedroom that we keep the ipod, nintendos and all the stationary videogame consoles. When my kids have finished their homework, have played outside or exercised and done their chores, then they get to use whatever it is they desire. These go back in the cabinet every night. I let them bring one electronic to school to use in their free period (its a private school that has 20 minutes of either recess or free time for the older children). And I let them use these in the cars. But other than what I consider free time, there is no tv, no cell phone or electronics.

Answer 7

Its part of todays culture, whether you like it or not, its not going to go away! if your kids are sheltered they are the ones who will be in someway left behind-Not knowing how to operate the a cell- You have to let them grow and do not use the word 'spoilt' I am sure your 10 year  old finds using the computer as easy as you find boiling water for making tea! How did you react when you were left out when  growing up and your parents used the word ;Spoilt"? think  about it

Answer 8

No, they don't need them.

No, we aren't spoiling them.  We are using toys as an excuse not to give time.  That is why our kids seem unsocialized.

Answer 9

I think many kids are spoiled and reward for even bad behavior just because parents are worried their kids will hate them or that kids will treat them bad if they don't have the "cool things".  I know my nephew is 6 years old and is horrible and they are on foodstamps and everything but yet my sister (step) buys him things everytime he throws a fit about wanting it.  He has done some horrible stuff yet she went out and bought him a new game boy advance and all these games to go with it.

Answer 10

Yeah, I think too many kids are spoiled today - my kids stay outside and would rather play in the dirt than with anything else. Funny, I've got all girls, and they get dirty as h**l, but I don't care. I would rather them play outside in the dirt then to sit under me playing a stupid video game or chatting on the phone.

Answer 11

yh i agree with u

Answer 12

Yeah in a way I think these things spoil children. I try to keep all the technological devices to a minimum for my children. There are not a neccessity. I want my children to grow up getting exercise and enjoying the outdoors. I do not think there is anything wrong with watching television, talking on the phone, or playing video games, but I try to keep that stuff to a minimum. I think if children have too much high technology stuff, they become spoiled to an extent, but they also miss out on some great opportunities to be a child.