This is true, but has several downsides : - If the device gets broken (which isn't hard to imagine with a child lugging it about 24/7) you loose the software -

This is true, but has several downsides : - If the device gets broken (which isn't hard to imagine with a child lugging it about 24/7) you loose the software - If the device gets stolen, ditto - If the software or OS gets corrupt, ditto - As the child gets older, she can't use it as a general purpose device as well. Its a good initial suggestion to buy you some time, but not a solution in the long term.