Are Drones Suitable for Children?

We are living in a fast growing technological era. Constantly our society embraces new types of technological breakthroughs. The world tends to create a market around new technology, a good and recent example of this is the drone.

Commercial Toy and Professional drones have become a constant in our life, yet we are just starting to familiarize with the image of watching them fly over our skies. With all of this new affordable drones being released into the market, it’s often hard to find one that perfectly suit your needs. Because of that, DronesGlobe has published a great overview of drones you can buy today. Parents may ask: are drones suitable for children?

If you are looking for a quick, no explanations needed, answer then it’s yes. However, there are a few things to take into consideration, therefore I invite you to read this article. Whenever we try something new main priority should always and I insist always be our safety.

What should I take into consideration when allowing my children to fly a drone?

Recommend Minimum Age (8-12)

First of all, allow me to discuss the recommended age for children to pilot a drone. Some mini drone’s manufacturers recommend a minimum age of 8 years old. I would say that, first of all, you should always take your children’s maturity into consideration. Better than anyone, you know your children’s personality. With this in mind, I believe minimum age should be around 10, however, if your kid is familiar with robotics and perhaps other types of RC UAV’s, then you may consider at 8.

Size and Speed

If you believe your children are mature enough to handle a drone, then the next thing you have to take into consideration are the size and speed of the drone. Even though there already are a wide variety of easy to fly drones available in the market, are they suitable for children? Two of the biggest major causes of accidents are due to the size and speed of the drone. Therefore, and taking this into consideration, the most advisable drones for children are smaller scale drones. Preferably, toy drones made of ABS plastic, a durable and yet lightweight and harmless type of material. A heavier and larger drone would cause too much damage, while a small toy drone is practically harmless. Speed also plays a big role in this safety procedure. When buying a drone for your children choose one with the lowest yaw rate. This means the best drones for your children are the ones where the motors are slower, the drone flies slower and therefore the propellers rotate slower. Most drones have three modes of yaw rate, ranging from beginner to expert, keep in mind the beginner means slower yaw and expert faster yaw.

Environment

Another greatly important factor to take into consideration is the environment where your children are flying the drone. There are drones specifically designed for indoors or outdoors flying, with many being able to do both. A good indoor drone is capable of a very stable hover and responsive commands. A good outdoor drone is wind resistant and has enough motor power to also have a stable hover. If flying indoors, make sure you have a stable drone and plenty of room for your kid to practice. Remove any breakable objects in the room and let your kid enjoy!

Durability

The forth factor you have to consider is the drone’s durability. Make sure the drone you buy is resistant to most crashes and hits. Some weak material may snap and bend easily, touch your drone before you buy it. Most toy drones are made of ABS Plastic the common type of plastic you see on Legos. If the drone’s ABS plastic is strong and doesn’t bend easily than it is a good fit for your kid. In case of a crash or hit, it’s not strong enough to cause any real damage. Secondly, it’s lightweight and easily manoeuvrable (doesn’t feel heavy on the remote).

What if my children are mature enough to handle a bigger drone?

If, as a parent, you consider your children to be mature and skilful enough (I would advise around 12) to control a larger and faster drone than there are plenty of options too. These drones tend to have a higher payload, powerful motors and big propellers. Many also come with a camera and a mount. Although smaller drones for younger children may also bring a built-in camera, if your children are older than 12, perhaps an action camera may also be suitable. These types of drones include more features and better specifications. Read the instructions manual with your children, and understand it, even try it yourself first, before you allow them to test features.

Conclusion

Most importantly you must know your children well. If you consider them to be capable of flying a drone, then I’m happy to tell you to will be a very pleasant family experience. Drones are not dangerous. When piloting one in the right environment and with the safety procedures checked, drones are great for all the family. Buy a camera drone and record your best moments, take photographs, fly around the house or at the park. Make sure you are always nearby when your children fly a drone, with the right amount of practice they surely will learn quickly and grow to become drone enthusiasts.