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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
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age for iPod?
So my 8 - almost 9 year old- is going into 4th grade and recently it seems all of her friends have been asking her to text or facetime.. Getting into conversations with them and the other moms - they all have either their own ipads or Ipods. Mostly iPods. So of course now my dd wants one.
My question is - is this too young? Or am I being overly protective? I am not crazy about the idea and always said I would try to keep her away from a phone as long as I could - but I know this isn't exactly a phone.
Do your kids have iPods? what age is appropriate? I don't want to give in just bc "everyone is doing it" but I also don't want her to feel left out if the iPod isn't really a big deal.
Thoughts?
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Posted 8/15/18 9:03 AM  |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: age for iPod?
DD is 8 and nope.
I can't imagine what the heck she would text her friends about?
"Which LOL doll did you get?"
"I'm wearing my unicorn shirt today, what about you?"
Come on now.
No need for that shit.
Message edited 8/15/2018 9:36:18 AM.
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| Posted 8/15/18 9:35 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
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age for iPod?
my cousin's daughter has an iPod for the same reason-- she is going into 5th grade. on the surface I'm so against it. a 12 year old girl in my neighborhood committed suicide last june due to bullying over text/snapchat, etc. it seems so young, and you don't want to start things like this. BUT at the same time, i can see the other side. i really do feel like FaceTime, etc is really their version of talking on the phone, like we always used to-- with silly random chatting about "nothing". Playdates are hard to set up with everybody working and so busy all the time... so this is a way for them to be social when actually getting together can't work out. i feel like if you set some strict rules, like she has to keep her door open when she's using it, maybe setting a time limit on it, and definitely taking it away after a certain time at night.... maybe see how she does with it and if she shows you she can handle it....
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| Posted 8/15/18 9:49 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by ml110
my cousin's daughter has an iPod for the same reason-- she is going into 5th grade. on the surface I'm so against it. a 12 year old girl in my neighborhood committed suicide last june due to bullying over text/snapchat, etc. it seems so young, and you don't want to start things like this. BUT at the same time, i can see the other side. i really do feel like FaceTime, etc is really their version of talking on the phone, like we always used to-- with silly random chatting about "nothing". Playdates are hard to set up with everybody working and so busy all the time... so this is a way for them to be social when actually getting together can't work out. i feel like if you set some strict rules, like she has to keep her door open when she's using it, maybe setting a time limit on it, and definitely taking it away after a certain time at night.... maybe see how she does with it and if she shows you she can handle it....
5th grade maybe I'd consider it.
Not at 8 years old.
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| Posted 8/15/18 9:50 AM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: age for iPod?
My girls will be going into 3rd and 5th grades. They have each had their ipods for a few years. They use it primarily for watching you tube. My older daughter likes musically. The older one will also occasionally message with friends. They both have snap chat and are friends with only family.
We haven't had any issues.
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| Posted 8/15/18 1:56 PM |
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Katareen
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Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
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Katherine
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age for iPod?
At 8 yrs old? No. Go outside and play.
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| Posted 8/15/18 2:28 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by Katareen
At 8 yrs old? No. Go outside and play.
My thoughts exactly.
Or read a book.
My DD stares at annoying youtube bull shit on her Samsung tablet enough. The last thing she needs is something to communicate with the outside world with.
Crazy town
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| Posted 8/15/18 2:30 PM |
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LuckyStar
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Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
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age for iPod?
Might be a dumb question, but if kids are FaceTiming, texting and using the internet how is it any different than them having a phone? What kid picks up a phone and makes a call? I hardly ever do that and I’m an adult. Am I missing something?
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| Posted 8/15/18 2:44 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by LuckyStar
Might be a dumb question, but if kids are FaceTiming, texting and using the internet how is it any different than them having a phone? What kid picks up a phone and makes a call? I hardly ever do that and I’m an adult. Am I missing something?
It's really not.
DD uses a tablet- but it's not hooked up to any service. Can only use on wifi.
She can't text on it either, and i wouldn't even know HOW to face time... never used that shit in my life. But again, no celluar service so I don't think you can facetime- isn't facetime like a call?
She only uses it to play games on apps and watch you tube videos.
Message edited 8/15/2018 2:48:40 PM.
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| Posted 8/15/18 2:48 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: age for iPod?
It is very similar to a cell phone except limited to wifi.
Facetime is done over wifi
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| Posted 8/15/18 2:58 PM |
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LuckyStar
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Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by JandJ1224
It is very similar to a cell phone except limited to wifi.
Facetime is done over wifi
That’s what I thought.
I don’t really have an opinion on whether or not it’s a good idea because I don’t know any 8 year olds but I think it’s silly for parents (not you) to be all up in arms and anti phone and then hand the kid an iPod.
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| Posted 8/15/18 3:23 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by JandJ1224
It is very similar to a cell phone except limited to wifi.
Facetime is done over wifi
That’s what I thought.
I don’t really have an opinion on whether or not it’s a good idea because I don’t know any 8 year olds but I think it’s silly for parents (not you) to be all up in arms and anti phone and then hand the kid an iPod.
I agree
That's why she has nothing. I don't think Samsung supports Facetime but I could be wrong.
But Facetime is my worst nightmare so I would never use it so I have no idea.
There is nothing worse than a front facing camera in my opinion. Talk about the most unflattering angle you can possible imagine.
No thanks! 
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| Posted 8/15/18 3:45 PM |
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lightblue
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Re: age for iPod?
Looks like an i-phone but without the phone feature... I know that my Dh's nieces (who are now 14 and 13) got phones after they graduated elementary school.
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| Posted 8/15/18 4:15 PM |
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Eireann
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Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
My girls got iPods together the Christmas of 4th and 6th grades; they were 11 and 9.
Trust me, I am a very old-school parent; my kids (well, the older two; by the 3rd I gave up  ) didn’t look at tablets AT ALL until about 3rd grade. The iPod is not a big deal at all...especially if the kid has been watching screens anyway. So what they can text? It’s cute...as long as you monitor it. I did not let my older DD even get Instagram until she got Principal’s List 6 consecutive times. That was at the end of 6th. She doesn’t have Snapchat or any other social media at nearly 13 now. It is what YOU make it. Also, Apple products are easy to lock down as far as inappropriate stuff. I check my kids’ devices, texts, etc. periodically and so far, so good. My son is 7 and going into 3rd and we have no plans for an iPod any time soon though.
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| Posted 8/15/18 5:59 PM |
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Eireann
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Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Katareen
At 8 yrs old? No. Go outside and play.
My thoughts exactly.
Or read a book.
My DD stares at annoying youtube bull shit on her Samsung tablet enough. The last thing she needs is something to communicate with the outside world with.
Crazy town
I am in agreement with you both, but let’s be honest...if our kids have tablets already, the iPod is not much different. If they’re staring at stupid YouTube videos on the tablet, they’re going to be watching the exact same stupid videos on the iPod.
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| Posted 8/15/18 6:05 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by Eireann
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Katareen
At 8 yrs old? No. Go outside and play.
My thoughts exactly.
Or read a book.
My DD stares at annoying youtube bull shit on her Samsung tablet enough. The last thing she needs is something to communicate with the outside world with.
Crazy town
I am in agreement with you both, but let’s be honest...if our kids have tablets already, the iPod is not much different. If they’re staring at stupid YouTube videos on the tablet, they’re going to be watching the exact same stupid videos on the iPod.
What I take issue with is texting and stuff. Not videos
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| Posted 8/15/18 6:47 PM |
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age for iPod?
Do they still make the old school iPods? Like the ones where it’s literally just music? If I were to get my child one, it would be one of those...but if my 8 year old wanted an iPod to talk to their friend... no... go outside and play and go play with the kids in the neighborhood, I’ll even walk over with you! I’m literally going to try my best to protect their “innoscence” as long as I can before they become exposed to the internet and social media. I’m insanely against it and while some good has come from social media, I feel it’s done more harm then good with tablets, iPads, etc, so there will be none of that in my house until they are older. I was in friendlys one day recently with my twins and every kid had a table, I mean EVERY kid from like age 2 onwards... what happened to conversations and coloring and books? Anyway, I hate technology so that’s my rant but in general I feel 8 is overall too young
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| Posted 8/15/18 6:48 PM |
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LuckyStar
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
I was in friendlys one day recently with my twins and every kid had a table, I mean EVERY kid from like age 2 onwards... what happened to conversations and coloring and books? Anyway, I hate technology so that’s my rant but in general I feel 8 is overall too young
Sometimes it's tablet or meltdown. I'd be lying if I said I never gave DD my phone in a restaurant. I've always felt these situations are damned if you do, damned if you don't. Let the kid scream their head off, strangers judge. Give them a screen, strangers judge. Maybe there are unicorn children who will sit with no distractions but mine was certainly not one of them. I'd bring toys and they'd end up on the floor. She's generally good now at 2.5 but if she's had it I hear "mommy get me down, mommy I'm done, mommy I want to leave, mommy finish your food, mommy I want to see the bathroom" and I end up being the one on the verge of a meltdown. DH actually asked a few weeks ago "at what age do they shut up and eat their food without b!tching about it?"
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| Posted 8/15/18 8:46 PM |
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Jacksmommy
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Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
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Liz
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Re: age for iPod?
My son has my old iphone (he is almost 10 and got it at 8). it doesn't work as a phone, however he was savvy enough to download an app that you can make calls over wifi. I hated it, and wanted him to delete it, until I went in the hospital 2 days later. He was able to communicate with me on his own without asking to use someones phone etc. I have let him keep it. He does "text" friends but honestly, it is so stupid it isn't even funny (pics of stupid gifs). I monitor it just like I would a phone (although I will be having him sign a contract when he gets a real phone.
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| Posted 8/15/18 8:52 PM |
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gina409
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
I was in friendlys one day recently with my twins and every kid had a table, I mean EVERY kid from like age 2 onwards... what happened to conversations and coloring and books? Anyway, I hate technology so that’s my rant but in general I feel 8 is overall too young
Sometimes it's tablet or meltdown. I'd be lying if I said I never gave DD my phone in a restaurant. I've always felt these situations are damned if you do, damned if you don't. Let the kid scream their head off, strangers judge. Give them a screen, strangers judge. Maybe there are unicorn children who will sit with no distractions but mine was certainly not one of them. I'd bring toys and they'd end up on the floor. She's generally good now at 2.5 but if she's had it I hear "mommy get me down, mommy I'm done, mommy I want to leave, mommy finish your food, mommy I want to see the bathroom" and I end up being the one on the verge of a meltdown. DH actually asked a few weeks ago "at what age do they shut up and eat their food without b!tching about it?"
This. If we go out to eat my son gets my phone.
We don’t want to ruin anyone’s meal and I love when people see him with a phone for the 45 min we are there it becomes official that he’s on it all day and that’s it. Never goes outside. Plays etc
Not every kid can sit and color. My daughter can. My son can’t.
And you know what. He likes to read books on there. So before anyone judges. Oh wait. Just don’t judge
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| Posted 8/15/18 10:15 PM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
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age for iPod?
Thanks for all the opinions - it's certainly not a clear cut right or wrong decision. I agree with so much written here - for and against.
I am not so worried about her not "playing". She does a good amount of that and she isn't the 'face in the electronic' kid. She plays on 3 sports travel teams and is involved in girl scouts.
To be honest, I kept thinking when will she even have the time? lol
I might just hold off and see if she continues to ask or not. I am not totally against it but I am not jumping to get it either.
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| Posted 8/16/18 9:09 AM |
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ml110
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Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
I was in friendlys one day recently with my twins and every kid had a table, I mean EVERY kid from like age 2 onwards... what happened to conversations and coloring and books? Anyway, I hate technology so that’s my rant but in general I feel 8 is overall too young
see... we're the opposite LOL my boys (7 and 4) are on their iPads every night during dinner at home, but very rarely we take the iPads with us when we go out to eat (and we eat out pretty frequently....) I'm a SAHM. so even with my oldest in school all day now, i still spend 3-4 hours with him every day by the time we eat dinner at night. so i've already had conversation with him, caught up on his day, how school is going, helped him with his homework and all that. and same with my 4 year old- i've been with him all day. and DH usually makes time after dinner to play with them/ catch up with them. so during dinner, we all just kind of zone out for a few minutes and enjoy our food LOL
going out to eat, we usually leave the ipads at home. the boys are pretty good now at restaurants. and we have it down to a science LOL we go to places where we know ahead of time what we want to eat. so we'll order our food with our drinks, as soon as the server comes to the table..... it cuts down on a lot of the waiting around. so the boys are usually good with doing tic tac toe or playing with a small toy or something for a few minutes until everything comes.
we also don't live near family, so the 4 of us spend a crazy ton of time together... and that might be the case with other people you see in restaurants with kids on tablets, too. i never judge because you never know what the deal is--- sometimes you just need your kid to be occupied/ quiet for a few minutes LOL
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| Posted 8/16/18 9:23 AM |
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Sash
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Member since 6/08 10314 total posts
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Re: age for iPod?
I gave my son an iPad at 8 a few months before his 9th bday. it was severely limited though. It so happened my husband wanted to upgrade his iPad and I let my son have the old one. I figured it is good for him to get practice technology wise.
However, there is no FaceTime - he can play games and go on the internet. He used it in 4th grade for school to submit assignments to his teacher. It stays downstairs on my desk.
He is going to 5th (10yrs) and will not have a phone.
I don’t think they need to FaceTime or text
at that age but I’m not opposed to an iPad to get them familiar with the tech.
ETA: I got the everyone has a cell phone or iPad/iPod but at 7. I told him idc, I’m seriously about to go old school on his ass and hook up a phone in my kitchen Plugged into a jack. Then he can give that number out lol.
Message edited 8/16/2018 11:18:23 PM.
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| Posted 8/16/18 11:14 PM |
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nycgirl
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Re: age for iPod?
In my school (I would say a relatively affluent school district), the age for a phone is 4th grade. The principal says he got a phone for his kids (in NYC at the time) at that age.
My eldest is entering 3rd and right now, that seems very far away. Right now, he loses his darn boots. No way is he mature enough for a phone of any sort.
We do have iPads for each of them (they are OUR old iPads) that they do homework on (reading and math apps) and a laptop (my old one... probably worth less than the iPad but it works) for typing apps homework.
lol. I am so behind... I still thought IPods were for music.
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| Posted 8/18/18 9:16 AM |
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Sash
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Re: age for iPod?
Posted by nycgirl
In my school (I would say a relatively affluent school district), the age for a phone is 4th grade. The principal says he got a phone for his kids (in NYC at the time) at that age.
My eldest is entering 3rd and right now, that seems very far away. Right now, he loses his darn boots. No way is he mature enough for a phone of any sort.
We do have iPads for each of them (they are OUR old iPads) that they do homework on (reading and math apps) and a laptop (my old one... probably worth less than the iPad but it works) for typing apps homework.
lol. I am so behind... I still thought IPods were for music.
So funny because my son is he same way. I told him when you can remember to bring your lunchbox home maybe I will consider it. He’s going to 5th grade and has been pretty much the only kid without a phone for 2 yrs.
iPads I think are good to teach them how to use it, and google docs, sheets and slides. iPods are a waste, they can learn more on an iPad.
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| Posted 8/18/18 11:38 AM |
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