This has been on my mind and, with Christmas coming, even more so. I'd really like to get Maddy (13) a Kindle Fire for Christmas if we can snag one of the great deals on one (I've seen some ads showing $79). Earl has one and it's great. I think we could get a lot of freebie books and such for homeschooling to put on it, and then her Nook could be passed down to Mallory (we regret buying a Nook for her but the classics are availabe cheaply or free for it at least). But, I know my own struggle to not be on the computer too much and worry that she will always be in her room on the thing. I would love for her to have it as a tool. I know there are apps you can get that only allow it to be used a certain number of hours per day and such, but then what if she used it too much for fun and not for schoolwork? Maybe I just worry too much. I don't have a smart phone myself (I know the kindle isn't a phone but gives many of the other uses)...would kind of like one sometimes but it's not in the budget and I'm also afraid I would just be online more than I am already.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble, but I thought maybe some of you ahead of me in the parenting game (or not) might have some thoughts on whether or not this would be a good idea if we can swing it cost-wise.