What is the Best Tablet for kids?
What is the Best Tablet for kids? To help you decide here are Teltech ICT’s top considerations for selecting tablets for children.
Whether they are for use at school for work or home for play, tablets are an amazing resource and are rapidly becoming a must-have for children. There are so many tablet models available that it might seem difficult to choose a good one at the right price. To assist with selection, we have done our homework and compiled a list of ‘Top considerations for selecting tablets for your children’.
1. Apple or Andriod?
For a while, all the best apps were designed as Apple iOS exclusive. Traditionally developers released their apps first for Apple App Store and if things went well, proceeded with a version for the Google Play Store. App Developers have typically made more money on the Apple App Store than the Google Play store, though with more and more people opting for Android that gap is narrowing.
Although there are still some iOS exclusives, most of the major apps are now available on both platforms. So, the choice of Apple or Android comes down to personal preference and cost.
2. Built-In Parental Controls
Keeping kids safe online is paramount, utilising Parental Controls is an easy and effective way to help keep your children safe when they’re online. Most tablets feature in-built control options for concerned parents, so you’ll be able to keep an eye on your children’s app usage. A lot of Apps also feature their own kids’ sections which are specifically designed for children’s use and filter content. For an extra layer of safety, Telstra customers can personalise their Parental Controls through the Telstra 24×7®App. For more Safety Tips more check out Telstra – Kids Cyber Safety Tip Sheet.
3. Compatibility and Technical Requirements
When looking at a new tablet purchase, an important consideration is device compatibility, to select the correct device, you should first consider:
App Compatibility:
What Apps are your children are going to be using on their new device and are those Apps compatible with your chosen device? To confirm this, you can search for compatibility of the app, either online or in the Play/App Store.
Existing Devices:
Are you upgrading and if so, what existing devices are the family currently using? It is important to check if your existing accounts/apps/games/platforms are cross-compatible with the new device or you may risk not being able to carry across the information.
4. Apps and games
Apps and games – Our top picks that are worth installing.
Understandably, parents might feel concerned when it comes to selecting appropriate Apps and considering the featured content your children may be subject too. To assist with this, we have compiled a list of our ‘Top picks of Children’s Apps and Games suitable for tablets’
Mathletics
Mathletics is the world’s leading educational resource for Mathematics. Currently, over 4 million students in schools across the world use it and are a part of the global learning community. Many Schools also offer Mathletics subscriptions as a part of their curriculum.
ABC Reading Eggs
ABC Reading Eggs is a Multi-award winning learn-to-read app for kids aged 2-13. Based on scientific research and designed by experienced Australian teachers, it’s proven to help kids learn to read using interactive reading games, guided reading lessons, fun activities and over 2,500 digital storybooks. Many Schools also offer Mathletics subscriptions as a part of their curriculum.
Minecraft
With over 10M+ downloads on the google play store, Minecraft is a top pick for kids as it allows them to use their imagination and build anything they want. It’s available on almost every phone and tablet, plus your PC and laptop.
- Google Play Stores Editor’s Choice gave the following 3 reasons why they love the App:
- This exploration-based game provides quintessential crafting and building experience for creative children.
- Youngsters can get crafty in “Creative” mode, while older kids might enjoy dialling up the tension in “Survival” mode.
- Players can go solo offline, or team up online with four friends (or up to 10 if subscribed to a “Realm”)
Roblox
Plenty of alternatives to Minecraft have sprung up, including Roblox and Terraria, so if you don’t fancy paying for Minecraft there are free options. Roblox lets kids play, create and be anything they imagine. It’s massively multiplayer with heaps of games/universes to keep kids engaged and learning. Roblox also features a kid-friendly chat system which limits the amount of engagement younger players can have with strangers.
YouTube Kids
YouTube kids are by far one of the best video apps for children, it was created to give children a more contained environment that makes it simpler and more fun for them to explore on their own, and easier for parents and caregivers to guide their journey as they discover new and exciting interests along the way. YouTube Kids provides a safer online experience for kids as creators work hard to keep videos family-friendly and use a mix of automated filters to protect the youngest of viewers.
Netflix
Netflix is the leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies. Netflix gives you unlimited access to TV episodes and movies for one low monthly price. The kids’ section on Netflix is a kid-friendly part of the Netflix experience where you’ll find content appropriate for kids. The content in the kids’ section is a curated selection of titles that are both safe and compelling for kids. However, Kids profiles are not available on devices produced before 2013.
5. Affordability
Device Repayment (not including plan costs).
Although most kids would like to have the latest and greatest in Tablet technology, these types of tablets come with an exorbitant price tag. However, there are plenty of affordable, quality devices available, like the Telstra Enhanced Tablet 10.1 which is available from $ 6 per month, Over 36 months, so your kids can stay connected without the hefty price tag.
Plan costs: Post-paid Vs. Pre-paid.
Traditionally we would recommend going prepaid for your child’s Tablet, to avoid any unexpected costs. However, with Telstra introducing new month-to-month plans with No lock-in plan and No excess data charges in Australia, bill shock is now a thing of the past and if you leave, simply pay out your device.
- New plans, new flexibility
- No lock-in contracts
- No excess data charges in Aus. Add on extras, anytime
With our month-to-month plans, you have the flexibility to change your plan size once a month or cancel anytime. If you leave, simply pay out your device. You won’t be charged if you go over your monthly data allowance in Australia, but your data will be slowed. Personalise your plan with a range of add on extra’s like accessories, entertainment and service extras, anytime.
6. Durability and Security
As responsible as your child might be, there’s still a good chance that their device will eventually end up dropped, wet, or even lost or stolen. For these reasons, we recommend considering the following precautions:
Additional Warranties
Purchasing additional warranties may help in the event a device is damaged, lost or stolen.
Cases
Save the wear, tear and hassle of a screen replacement with a case. It’s easy to find a case that fits your device, in a range of styles and colours.
Device security
Installing an app such as ‘Find My Phone’ or ‘Find Device’ can help in cases of missing devices.
Device Antivirus
In almost all cases, Android phones and tablets do not need antivirus installed. Android viruses are by no means as predominant as media outlets may have you believe, and your device is much more at risk of theft than it is a virus. But it is true: Android viruses do exist, and a decent antivirus app can provide peace of mind. If you are installing apps outside of Google Play, installing an Android antivirus app is one way to keep yourself safe. Our pick of the best is Bitdefender.