Why oh why are people giving their under 12s tablets?

You have missed my point which clearly says how they are being used and provided is the problem.

No they aren't! Where did you get that idea?

EVERY person who’s worked with small children for decades says the EXACT SAME thing??? 👀👀😂😂

they don’t.

It would be helpful to appreciate the nuance - kids who use tablets for short periods every day aren’t turning into zombies. Particularly at the older end of the spectrum. This is not the same as babies and toddlers being allowed unlimited screen time in lieu of actual interaction.

It might have something to do with the hundreds of threads on here (and attitude in wider society) about children laughing , or crying, or having toys , or sticker books , or talking in public.Or sometimes just existing . They didn’t do anything , but they COULD’VE.How talking to your child and describing what they see and what you’re doing or whatever is “performance parenting” and twatty. How taking your kid for a walk after 7 pm is “concerning”. And a billion other things

I suppose rotting all children's brains equally is a level playing field of sorts. Race to the bottom, if you will.

I reckon the children who have had largely screen free childhoods will be at an advantage in all sorts of ways.

Completely agree, I absolutely hate seeing kids out and about glued to a tablet or IPad. I find it’s becoming more rare now to see a child sitting and talking/playing with their parents at restaurants, public transport etc. vs given screentime. Most of it’s just lazy parenting. Why is it they can’t just socialise with them to keep them from being bored and acting out, rather than shove a screen in their face. Like the buggy comment too, Children should look out at the world and surroundings to learn, not just seeing some colourful shite on YouTube too close to their face. Obviously there are exceptions i.e just used for educational purposes but it’s when it’s given to keep them distracted over social interaction from parents that drives me insane.

If it helps underprivileged kids have a level start to education then it’s worth it surely.

I thought you meant literal tablets, like paracetamol! I thought, why the hell wouldn’t you for a 12 year old or younger (if they could manage it)).

Then I quickly realised you meant electronic device. Then I thought, why the hell wouldn’t you for a 12 year old or younger (if they could manage it).

There is a huge difference to a 12 year old (or school-age child) using a tablet for school work, apps, Minecraft, watching tv/youtube) to giving it to an 8 month old.

Tablets and technology aren’t the issue.
Using one for multiple hours of the day when a child is under 2, probably is if used as a frequent babysitting device.

Perhaps the issue is wider than this and based around parental need. Parental control, parental time, parental skills in self-regulation or supported regulation for your child, parenting skills, parenting boundaries.

You have a choice for your own child. Don’t like them, don’t get one. Put the boundaries you see fit into place for your own child.

There are lots of benefits of technology.

Excessive anything is generally bad.

I see babies and preschoolers use tablets and phones with confidence. It would not take long to teach an 11 year old how to use a touchscreen.

Agree. No need to rely so much on screens at primary. If nothing else it feeds the ‘addiction’. It’s weird that so many parents don’t care.

I think that's completely unnecessary. I'm perfectly proficient in technology and it is absolutely no thanks to anything I learned in school, which was completely obsolete by the time I needed to use IT for work anyway.

Assuming you're not going to be your generation's Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg you'll pick up whatever IT skills you need as you go along. It's easy. And if you are going to be your generation's Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, it's not doing your homework on an iPad that will get you where you need to be, is it?

It helps them to be proficient in technology which like it or not, is part of life now. Also helps them prepare fir high school as most secondary work is on iPads now; At least in all the secondaries and grammar schools round here

Unless the studies I read were out of date, the screens themselves aren't a problem, (though some programs and games are designed to keep kids with short attention spams hooked) it is only when they are replacing interactions and communication with their parents and others, that issues arise or when parents are not policing the content they are consuming.
My kids didn't get tablets until they were 5 and almost 5, but they have them regularly now, they also swim, do taekwondo, walk to and from school every day, go for a walk around a country park every weekend and their development and school achievement is fine (age 8 almost 7)

No I mean I don't think they do in primary school here.

I find such over-reliance on iPads pretty horrifying tbh. I'm glad my children will get a more analogue education.

Sounds like my 4 yr old! Only wants a screen if she wants something specific never just because she wants tablet time or whatever.

When I opened the thread I thought the same thing. 😂

I think my response of “because he’s been able to swallow them since he was 8” probably isn’t the right answer 🙈

They do! My DD is in year 6 and they exclusively use iPads in lessons. All homework is also done via the iPad.

My dd has had her own iPad since she was 6. She used Lingokids and can now speak a second language as a direct result! As long as you’re careful to curate the content, they can be incredibly educational and intuitive, even. Obviously it goes without saying that there’s NO social media. She will not have social media until she’s in year 9. At least.

I think you need to get with the times and educate yourself on technology, OP. It’s not all “evil”

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/frances-toddler-screen-ban-is-pure-state-overreach/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/30/stop-children-using-smartphones-until-they-are-13-say-french-experts-in-report

That sounds great. I wonder if they have any research that’s backed up their decision. Wish they would share it!

I don't think they do in primary school.

So they don't teach computing, or use something like an interactive whiteboard...

Or do you just mean tablets and phones?

Thats fantastic