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Parenting, media, and everything in between.

 

My daughter has an older model iPod Touch, but all of her friends seem to have newer, fancier ones. She doesn't need a new one, but she really wants one to keep up appearances. What should I do?
• June 12, 2012 • Categories: Ask our parenting editor
Parenting Editor | Mom of one

High-end gadgets have become status symbols among kids. It's up to us parents to delay immediate gratification and help our kids resist peer pressure. Consider creating a timeline or identifying a single significant goal to achieve before your daughter can upgrade. You can also pass along your old device when you upgrade (it'll be new to her) or simply set up a strategy for her to save for what she wants. She may give you a hard time, but she'll appreciate the device a lot more if she works for it or has to wait for it! And if it's something that's not in the budget, you always have the right to say no.

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About Caroline Knorr

As Common Sense Media's parenting editor, Caroline helps parents make sense of what’s going on in their kids' media lives. From games to cell phones to movies and more, if you're wondering "what’s...

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mackya87 Jan 2, 2013
She has known about the app more and kids will empower their mind in good thoughts and manner. *://*isshicare*/rodents.php
CSM Screen name... Aug 28, 2012
Anytime my kids want to take certain things out in public - especially expensive items - I tell them that if it gets lost or stolen, we aren't buying another one. There is no reason, really, for a kid to take an iPod to school, IMO. I think actually being concerned that your child has an outdated iPod "when all the other kids have newer ones" is giving in to peer pressure. An iPod, old or not, is better than nothing. Why do we think our kids need to have the latest, greatest thing in technology? My son is only 8 and tells me how many kids in school have these, and I tell him sorry, no - he doesn't really listen to music, and I can easily see him forgetting it and it going through the wash, etc.
Caroline Knorr Sep 6, 2012
Great comment! Keeping those devices at home is a great way to protect them!

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