I am one for utilizing technology to its fullest, but a recent trend is starting to emerge that I find concerning. iPads and other tablets are becoming the new version of babysitters.
It is understandable that you need to get the house cleaned once in a while or have to distract them for a short time while shopping, but when we begin using the term “babysitter” when referring to electronics, my mind jumps to the book Fahrenheit 451 and the wasting away that is before us.
NielsonWire did a study of what children under the age of 12 do on their tablets while being babysat, whether at home, in the car, or at a resturant.
Here are their findings:
Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed said children play downloaded games on their tablets and 57 percent said children used tablets to access educational apps. The portable gadget also keeps kids quiet while families are on-the-go: 55 percent and 41 percent of parents report that their children used tablets for entertainment while traveling or in restaurants, respectively. This can also include watching TV shows and movies, which 43 percent of children often do. Communicating with friends and family is a less popular function on tablets– only 15 percent of kids engage in this activity.
How about today you take your child out to the park and enjoy the day together?
Carl Thomas says
This is hardly new to tablets. Friends used to call their VCR the neglect-o-matic.
Jeremy Smith says
Agreed, but not that the “distraction” is portable, it is even more pervasive.
Greg says
With all due respect, do you have kids? I have 3. And I thank the Lord for technology to help me raise them. 🙂
Jeremy Smith says
I have one on the way, so I am speaking from a place where I want to spend every moment with the child and does offer a bias. I definitely thing that technology is not a bad thing, but in my licensed counseling experience, the effects are a very bad outcome.
Adam Shields says
There are extremes. But I think most people understand that they are extremes. I am personally more concerned with people that actually insure that their children never see a video screen. Not because I think children need video screens, but instead because I am concerned about way some people over react and hover over children.
I think it is perfectly fine for kids to entertain themselves. Occasionally an electronic device can be fine.
Jeremy Smith says
No doubt these are extremes and I recognize that this will cause a bit of discussion! *insert evil laugh* I agree that you need to find a healthy balance. Ignoring the screens will set them up for failure, but replacing humans with tablets promotes a lack of caring and sociability.
The key word is “occasionally”. Thanks for the share!
George says
I own an iPad, and I have a 2 year old son, who can use my iPad better than most adults. I dont load any games that don’t have some educational value it has no movies or TV shows. My Son uses my iPad a lot. It has helped him immensely with his vocabulary (Flash Card Apps/Counting Apps). To me its not different then what i did with my nephews years ago (physical flash cards) If used properly it can be a great learning tool, not different than any of the leapfrog or vtech stuff