Life in the balance wheel, is it safe?

Life in a balance

On a recent visit to a park, my son was fascinated by the smart balance wheels that have become increasingly popular among the younger section of UAE residents these days, some of them as young as five years old (‘Balance wheel claims child’s life’, Gulf News, October 18). However, this article was an eye opener to the misuse and hazards of the balance wheel. The death of a six-year-old who was run over while using the balance wheel on a road is proof enough that the use of the ‘smart’ balance wheel requires strict monitoring and its use will have to be restricted to more safer areas, like parks. The use of protective gear like helmet, elbow protectors and knee protectors must be made mandatory for children and adults to ensure safety as they enjoy scooting around on these battery powered boards without having to worry about their life, which hangs on its balance!

From Ms Pranitha Menon

Dubai

Tragic news

It is such tragic news that a young child died after getting hit by a car due to playing on a balance wheel! When studies every year shows that many UAE residents are obese and that it is rising steadily, why are these kinds of balancing wheels allowed? Most of the people are not doing any regular exercise. Walking down the street or in the malls are their only exercise. With these kinds of devices, that, too, will stop.

From Mr Baiju Nair

Abu Dhabi

Website comment

Should be banned

I can understand the need for parents to buy these things for their children – part of it is peer pressure. Other children at school have them, so your child comes crying one day asking for it and doesn’t talk to you unless you buy it. But, think about it - what does this thing do, really? It just makes them lazy. Children will stop using their bicycles. They’ll use this thing for anything and everything. It promotes a sedentary lifestyle. We complain of child obesity in the UAE. This is only going to make it worse. Ban the thing. End of story.

From Mr Vijin

Dubai

Website comment

Extremely dangerous

I remember thinking something horrible like this would happen eventually. They should not be allowed to go on the roads with these things. It’s extremely dangerous. It’s risking lives.

From Mr Neelofer Jamal

UAE

Facebook comment

Child maturity

I think the wheels should be illegal on the roads, so that we only see them on walking paths. Also, parents should make sure that the child is mature enough to use it so that such incidents can be avoided.

From Ms Um Mohammad

Abu Dhabi

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Type of vehicle

The safe bet would be to introduce an age limit to use one of these toys. It is essentially a motorised mode of transportation, which is best to be not allowed for children under 12 years old. It takes elements of control, judgement and awareness that younger children would only be developing. Why do we have an age limit of 18 years to get a vehicle license? Similar reasoning.

From Mr Sajid Musaliar

UAE

Website comment

Age requirements needed

Ban the use of this equipment on the roads and if they are under 18 years old, they should not be able to use it. If the children are under 18 years old, then they should use it in parks or inside homes with parental supervision.

From Mr Siya Al Haq

UAE

Facebook comment

Could be beneficial

I think the right age to use the balance wheel is 14 years old and above. Parents must take care of such notes before buying any gadget or toy for their children. I don’t think that technology is at fault. If used in the proper way, it turns to be beneficial. The balance wheel in a way is better than tablets and mobiles.

From Ms Uma Sharma

UAE

Facebook comment

Lack of courtesy

These children, though! One ran over my foot in an elevator after I had tried very hard to avoid her and she was rude enough not to apologise even after her mother tried to make her do so!

From Ms Florence Nyawira

Kenya

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Not good overall

Not only it is not safe, it also makes your children inactive and unhealthy.

From Mr David Ojeda

Dubai

Facebook comment

At least they’re outside!

But, I think that it’s still better than children just playing with their tablets all day.

From Mr Rusdee Bolante

UAE

Facebook comment

Cut all of it

Why give them tablets in the first place? Why don’t we ask them to have physical activities and lose the useless devices?

From Mr Haseeb Mirza

UAE

Facebook comment

Why is it needed?

Why do we even need them here? Isn’t this place comfortable enough? It’s just a fad. It’s unsafe and unhealthy for children. What is wrong with parents these days just following trends and substituting quality time with gadgets and toys?

From Ms Mahnaaz Shaikh

UAE

Facebook comment

They are having fun!

Let the children have fun! Yes, there should be a designated area where they can play. A lot of children at the park play with this gadget. They look very happy doing so. Their laughs are contagious. I see a positive view in this gadget somehow. It builds camaraderie between children.

From Ms Prexie Gui

Dubai

Facebook comment

Stops walking

Beside accidents, this toy is soon bringing health hazards also for children. Obesity is already a major problem in newer generations and this board is taking away the few opportune moments for walking that children used to do. I’m not sure why people don’t see this coming.

From Mr Bilal

Dubai

Website comment

Hazardous and unhealthy

They should be just banned all together. It’s a hazard for children and others. Especially since people tend to stare at their phones, with this while riding one and totally ignoring their surroundings and who they bump into. There are so many obese people in this world already and these boards do not exactly promote exercise or healthy living.

From Ms Marina Bhandari

Dubai

Facebook comment

Unsafe

This is the worst innovation in recent times, in my opinion! I very much dislike it, and I don’t like when I see the way children and teenagers behave with them. I don’t like the parents who don’t think twice for their child’s safety before they just buy one of these devices. It’s amusing how lazy and ignorant we have become to just follow any trend that comes our way.

From Ms Natasha Preena Soomoon

UAE

Facebook comment

Rules will solve problem

I don’t think it’s fair to hate the device or the people using them, but rules have to be in place. If you have to buy such toys for your children, and then make sure you’ve made strict rules for when and where they can use it.

From Mr Ahmad Ali

Dubai

Facebook comment

Encourage exercise instead

Parents should supervise the overuse of balance wheels by their children and encourage them to walk for exercise. Children are misusing the balance wheel here in Abu Dhabi while crossing the road and in shopping malls. They should only use them in city parks.

From Mr Obinya Jericho Peters

Abu Dhabi

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