Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite — the wallet-friendly
new tablet that’s perfect for the entire family
A tool for education, entertainment, and connectivity — these days, tablets and child rearing go hand-in-hand.
Armed with tech, curious tykes can hone their math skills, perfect their alphabet, step back in time, discover distant lands on the other side of the world, listen to music, watch a movie, chat with their grandparents, or even explore the solar system. And in the current climate of closed borders, lockdowns, and remote learning; accessing the wealth of educational programs, games and activities that are part and parcel of these devices, is more important than ever.
However, when it comes to selecting a tablet for kids, cash-strapped parents often face the dilemma of finding an option on the market that is both durable AND affordable. Happily, for a compact, all-rounder, the new Galaxy Tab A7 Lite ticks all the boxes.
Released this week, the sleek device — which is designed for one-hand operation with gesture control — is light, yet durable enough to survive rough handling from playful toddlers, and boasts features including a high-performance processor, expandable storage, and long-lasting battery, to allow for endless entertainment and educational hours. And, best of all, it retails at a highly wallet-friendly RRP from $249.
But with the many benefits that come from tablets, there’s also a few pitfalls too. Yes, these devices can provide supplemental education, and yes they can keep Junior occupied while you’re making dinner, but on the flip side there’s also the potential for children to develop a tech dependency, as well as the risk of them accessing inappropriate content online.
To help keep them safe in the virtual world — and to learn how to get the best out of your device — read on for our top tablet tips…
SET LIMITS
It’s undeniable that children who are tech-savvy are better prepared for a world where digital is centerstage. And though it’s clear that technology won’t be going anywhere, parents are still justifiably concerned about ensuring that their kids don’t become reliant on their devices for entertainment.
In this instance, boundaries are key, both when it comes to times for the entire family to unplug, but also when it comes to specific areas of the home that should be tech-free. For example, make sure that mealtimes are reserved for reconnecting with the family, or that kids’ bedrooms’ are designated screen-free zones. All Samsung Galaxy tablets allow parents to enforce time limits for tablet use by setting both daily usage and daily playtime limits.
Lastly, your children look to you for guidance, so practice what you preach. Just as you want to make sure your kids have boundaries with their device usage, set a good example, and be mindful of your own.
SCREEN THEIR SCREENS
We’re all familiar with the dilemma of making sure that kids only have access to age-appropriate material online. However, being on guard 24/7 is tricky — you can’t watch over their shoulders all the time. Thankfully, all Galaxy tablets come with built-in parental controls that allow you to craft a safe environment for your family to explore.
Controls allow everything from content filtering and password-controlled to usage reports, so you can make sure little ones are only seeing what’s suitable. Samsung Kids takes this even further with comprehensive features that is designed to control access to specific apps and websites, as well as the ability to call contacts on a pre-defined parent-approved list, all of which allows you to both support your child’s digital journey, and to help keep your own peace of mind.
ENABLE EDUCATION
With virtual learning becoming the new normal as a result of the pandemic, there’s never been a greater variety of educational apps. Helping children to develop reasoning and problem solving skills — as well as teaching subjects ranging from history and geography, to science and maths — these apps help turn tablets into learning one-stop shops.
Google Play Store’s Family section has a raft of kid-friendly educational apps. Want to help your toddler learn the alphabet? Download ABC Kids — a free phonics and alphabet teaching app. How about a fun, free all-rounder? Look no further than BrainPop’s ever rotating educational videos and related daily quizzes. And for sheer volume, Epic’s vast library of content can’t be beat — the impressive app contains more than 35,000 children’s books, audiobooks, educational videos and quizzes.
It’s also super easy to add external apps to Samsung Kids library, which allows for a true custom-built learning environment on your tablet.
PLAY TOGETHER
In today’s 24/7, fast-paced world, spending quality time with brood can be hard. Amidst school, friends, and other commitments, childhood can pass at an almost blink-and-you’ll-miss it-like pace. So, it’s really important to make the most of these formative years. And if you’re yearning for a bit more quality time then the tablet can help turn tech into a bonding experience.
Playing or watching alongside with your children offers several benefits: not only will you be able to vet the content, but you can answer questions, and provide supplementary information to enhance the experience.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite offers a wide selection of local multiplayer apps that are engineered for kids, but beloved by adults too. The Samsung Kids library of apps offers plenty of creative family fun. To help bring out their (and your own) inner-Picasso there’s Bobby’s Canvas — an app comprised off a variety of drawing and painting tools. While the AR Theatre app allows aspiring storytellers to create their own tales by interacting with friendly characters in the AR world.
Remember, families who play together, stay together!
DRIVE-IN CINEMA
Load the car with the kids, the family dog, and introduce your brood to the quintessential getaway from your childhood: the great Australian road trip.
But while the wide open spaces, spectacular sunsets, and wondrous wildlife is undoubtedly amazing, a drive Down Under also means hour-upon-hour holed up in the car with confined kids alternating between cries of ‘I’m bored’ and ‘are we nearly there yet?’ The solution? A tablet packed full of movies.
With an immersive 8.7” screen and crisp, cinematic sound — thanks to dual Dolby speakers — the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is your portable pocket cinema. Plus, its long-lasting battery means you the freedom to forget the charger when you have somewhere to go, or lots to watch.1
TECH TRAVEL
Speaking of hitting the road — while international travel is off the cards for the foreseeable, you can still introduce your little ones to different countries and exotic cultures, and without even leaving your front door.
On top of the afore mentioned screen and audio quality, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite accesses the plethora of immersive virtual travel videos on YouTube. Cosy up on the sofa and take them to the Land of the Rising Sun’s futuristic museums and robot and animal cafes, or introduce them to the destination where dreams come true: Disneyland.
With a tablet, the wonders of the world are literally at their feet.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is available to purchase now through Samsung stores, online and all major retailers. RRP $249 for Wi-Fi and RRP $349 for 4G.
1Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,980mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
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