Aug 8, 201209:55 AMCup of Joe
Your weekly dose of strange parenting news, trends, and polls
Backstreet's back
As I sat at the table with my 9-year-old sister last week, imagine my surprise when she pulled out an iPod and popped in a pair of earbuds. “Where the heck did she get that,” I wondered. I came to find out my parents had passed down to her one of their own iPods after a torrent of pleas and requests.
My sister is also well-versed in iPad technology, probably more so than I am, which leads me to another question: When did she become the tech-guru of the house?
This trend in kids becoming household tech experts isn’t something new to most families. Recent research from Common Sense Media suggests that 52 percent of kids ages 5 to 8 and 39 percent of kids ages 2 to 4 have used an iPad at least once in their lifetime.
I guess I shouldn’t be so shocked then that my younger sister is entering into the phase where she dawns a pair of ‘buds and ignores the rest of the world. But as I pondered the scenario, an even more pressing matter entered my brain: what kind music is she listening to? I leaned over, plucked out one of her earbuds—which earned me a brief scowl—and started listening. I received my second surprise of that day.
A stream of familiar pop sounds and beats, along with the overly synthesized voice of Nick Carter were being emitted from the buds. Having grown up in the ‘90s, I was all too familiar with the Backstreet Boys and their award-winning pop hits. It was my turn to deliver a surprise.
Mustering the most over-the-top pop star voice that I could, I began singing along to the lyrics of “Hey Mr. DJ,” the song my sister had been listening to. She stared in shock as I recited each word accurately and with extra emphasis. She then yelled and asked me to knock it off.
Sure, she may have the leg up on me with the latest technology, but at least I know I’m still hip when it comes to rocking out to some tunes—at least for now anyway.
Do your kids have an iPod or iPad? Share your experiences in our comments section below.
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I think its just crazy that little kids have this kind of technology today! But then again, even if your own child doesn't have it, they will still be exposed to it in school, at friends' houses, etc. So you almost HAVE to bend to the trend and give your kid an iPod or let them use your iPad from time to time. I don't necessarily think they should OWN one. But to be able to work with one is probably plausible.
P.S. LOVE the BSB :)