It’s easy to give in to the latest trendy products for gifts except when they disturb the balance of age appropriation
By: Rossani Garmendia
With the holiday season upon us, parents, aunts and uncles, are careful in the thought process of what gifts they should avoid for their preteens.
“My stepson is 10 and he’s asking for an Iphone which I refuse to get him,” said Taylor Lopresti. “ I won’t buy electronics because I think kids should be using their imagination by playing with toys or even being outside.”
Children handed expensive luxury items such as Apple products or gaming consoles may not realize or appreciate its worth as a gift. According to an article by the ClevelandClinic, the start of puberty for boys and girls is estimated to be between the years of 9-14. While children enter their years of new experiences and decisions, their elders find a way to keep up with the changes. To find the perfect present can be joyful. But a child handed a smartphone or tablet can lead to plenty uncensored platforms of online dangers or harmful content
Devices gifted to preteens also come with the chance of a new opened social media account. Social media influencers push brands and the new “it” styles to expand and deliver attention to businesses. This past March, OmegaPediatrics reported a study that most children sign up for social media at the age of 12. So with young influencers like JoJo Siwa and Charlie D’Amelio, a younger audience is most likely to carry out and participate in what’s popular regardless of the product itself.
“My 10 year old nephew wants GTA 5 for Christmas which is insane considering I wasn’t even allowed in the room if that game was on when I was his age,” said Lopresti. “These kids see all this stuff on TikTok and Youtube and try to grow up too fast.”
Mature video games like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty were made for an older audience rather than adolescents. Violent and explicit entertainment may be too intense for young minds who have reached their preteen years. A little bit of fun with inappropriate games could lead to a possibility of an effect on their behavior or mental health in the future.
“I’m staying away from any makeup for young girls,” said Ramona Vega. “My niece is 11 now but I will keep my babies innocent for as long as I can.”
While makeup can be viewed as a glamorous and sophisticated look, it can be pushed on young girls to make themselves look more mature. As young girls begin to become more open minded on their appearance, they should also try not to grow up too fast. Vega tried to be more preserved with her gifts this year for her niece. She argued that young girls should enjoy their age without a thought of unnecessary pressure from the latest expectations towards beauty and appearance.
There is the middle ground between the latest trends versus the protection of a child’s innocence and age. Diego Rivera, at 27 years of age, shared his thoughts on the generational differences from when he was 11. After he thought he had a good gift for his 11 year old niece, he realized that what he once enjoyed as a child would not mean the same to her. With such young minds, children are more focused on their own preferences and what’s popular within their age group.
“Don’t get something you loved as a kid and expect them to care,” said Rivera. “I was thinking of getting my 11 year old niece a Tamagotchi pet but when I threw the signs of it she immediately shut it down and asked for a name plated necklace.”
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