My daughter, a 9-year-old fourth grader, had begged for an iPod Touch for months. I knew all about what it could do – just about anything a smart phone can do, without the phone. But I decided to get her the iPod for Christmas anyway. We knew it would be a rough couple of weeks while we worked out the...
My daughter, a 9-year-old fourth grader, had begged for an iPod Touch for months. I knew all about what it could do – just about anything a smart phone can do, without the phone.
But I decided to get her the iPod for Christmas anyway. We knew it would be a rough couple of weeks while we worked out the boundaries and limits related to the iPod’s use, but it’s been more difficult than I expected.
At first, we didn’t give Lauren the password to her iPod, so she had to ask us to install any apps that she wanted. But then, my husband became tired of being asked to install the various games, texting and photo apps, and in a weak moment, he told her the password. That’s when it all started to go downhill.
Yes, we could have changed the password, but we decided to test Lauren’s trustworthiness. Several of her teammates, who she spends many hours with, are three years older than she is.
While it may not seem like much of an age difference, their level of sophistication when it comes to electronic devices was far beyond Lauren’s. But Lauren quickly caught up, as they suggested what she needed to install on her iPod.
I told her from the beginning that I needed to know her password at all times. I also informed her that I could – and would – check her texts, emails and anything else, at any time. She seemed to understand at the time – or maybe she just wanted me to go away so she could get back to texting.
She asked soon after she received the iPod whether she could install the popular photo sharing app, Instagram. While I know many adults use and enjoy Instagram, I didn’t want my 9 year old to use it.
My biggest issue with it is that random strangers could “follow” all of her posts without her realizing it. I also don’t like Instagram’s new policy stating that Instagram owns every photo that is posted to the site.
Essentially, they could use and/or sell any picture of my child to anyone they like.
She’s asked about Instagram more than once, and I’ve told her “no” every time. But when I recently picked up her iPod for one of my random checks, I saw the Instagram logo right on her home screen.
A heated discussion ensued, in which she expressed horror at the fact that I checked her iPod, and I explained that the reason I check her iPod is to see if she can be trusted – and she just proved to me she cannot. I told her to delete the app, and she did, while I watched.
The iPod was taken away for a week as a consequence. It was a peaceful week, in which I didn’t constantly have to remind her to put the iPod down until she’s ready for school or finished with her homework.
The time restrictions I’ve placed on the iPod work, but not without a lot of complaining.
Before I purchased the iPod, friends told me the fascination would wear off quickly. I’m still waiting for that day.
Just the other day, she asked when she can get an iPhone 5. I’m going to need some serious help in the teenage years.