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

Likewise. My little boy is learning to use switches linked to an iPad with the hope that, one day in the far future, he might, just might, be able to answer a closed question or be able to communicate a choice.

And people wonder why local authorities are broke

I mean, he’s non-verbal and uses the AAC app on it as his only means of communication so I’m pretty sure his development will be worse off without it…. 🤔🙄

I'm not for blanket "tablets are the devil" style thinking because i don't think the research really supports that, most studies I've read are looking at really excessive usage where children are on screens for around 4+hrs a day. There are also other social factors with the report you've linked around speech - the more time a child spends on a device the less engagement or investment they are having from parents or other care givers which will obviously have an impact on language and development - that doesn't necessarily make the screen the issue as opposed to the level of parental investment and interaction. A child could have no screen time but a parent who's constantly in a screen themselves and therefore have a delay in language development. It's important for kids to have the opportunity to get bored but if a screen is ALWAYS provided then this won't happen so timing is also important. Obviously some shows etc are also more stimulating/ absorbing than others so it does depend on what they're watching- I have a toddler and there are some shows I won't let him watch because I can see he does have a harder time coming away from those than less stimulating shows so I manage what he watches and how long for. His speech is still excellent and above average for his age and I work with him to develop strategies for coming off the phone (haven't got a tablet for him yet) because these will be important skills for him to learn as he gets older and naturally has more access to that type of technology. I think there's more research to be done, and more conversation to be had around use of devices in general but honestly my bigger concern is how young kids are being given smart phones now and what they have access to and how kids are supposed to manage that in school or other settings where their parent has no control over what they see when with peers. I do think there's a balance between protecting kids and also equipping them for what's ahead.

DS2 and DDIL are not banning screens for the sake of it. There’s absolutely no need for DGS to be on one. He has a busy little life, spends a lot of time outdoors, loves reading books so that’s good for now, He doesn’t need to be learning how to do a jigsaw puzzle on an iPad, he needs to be developing his fine motor skills by doing an actual puzzle.

Can you outline how you fill a day as a non lazy parent with your own child? Tablets are lazy parenting, I assume you are NOT a lazy parent so what are you doing?

I bought my son a tablet when he was 15 for his Christmas and he doesn’t bloody use it

Me and DD have a shared iPad. Realistically she does watch the odd YouTube tutorial (for drawing), I limit what channels she’s allowed to use. She uses it for some maths things as part of homework, maybe 10 mins 2 or 3
times a week, although the majority of her homework is on paper. She uses it for tv, app based like Disney plus. She could have it on the actual tv. She doesn’t have unrestricted access to anything, I’m strict on what she uses it for and also how much. I do get what you’re saying to a degree, but at the same time we can be responsible with it.

Even if this is true - that a 5 year old child spent 30 hours over 2 days on an ipad, surely to goodness most people should realise that is extremely rare?!

😆

I’ve never thought about it. DS has never asked for one.

I’d class that as child neglect personally.

OP -
if you haven’t already, read the book - the anxious generation

it pulls together evidence that screen time increases mental illness in children and teens

He sounds pretty similar to DS1. He also had a tablet, watched some TV and had his own little portable DVD player. It's possible and even beneficial to have a healthy amount of screen time.

While I do agree that little ones should not be on them for long periods of time, I do wonder if the "No screen time ever" parents are aware of how much this sort of technology will be used in their children's future education.

They will sadly be at a disadvantage compared to those children whose parents didn't ban tech for the sake of it.

I worry about my husband's use he's on it all the time. He can't watch a TV programme he wanted because he picks the damn thing up and gets lost in it.

I have no problem with children having tablets so long as usage is monitored. I do have a problem with smart phones and social media. Children/young teenagers do not need smart phones. Social media is the cause of mental health problems imho. Easy way to bully others and damages self esteem/confidence etc.

Media report headlines of studies. If you click the link, read the study paper, there are significant limitations in this one, too. Was done mid-pandemic, behaviour was parent reported not observed under conditions.

It’s the world we live in. Is it ideal? No. But as with anything, it’s about balance. My dc have both used tablets to watch videos and play games. Their development is fine, both very academic. They weren’t on it for hours on end, it would be used for stints so I could get jobs done.

‘Back in the day’ I don’t think parents were juggling as much. I work, have two dc, dogs, a house that constantly needs cleaning and tidying, endless life admin…and yes I will choose the odd bit of screen time to enable me to get shit done in peace when I need to. I’m sure someone will be along to tell me what a terrible parent I am but providing my dc are developmentally ok, kind and good kids I really don’t care.

And let’s not forget schools and workplaces are mainly using this sort of tech for learning and work now. Life moves on.

I think you should copy and paste this into a new thread. It's a very important issue. Someone on here will know the best place to put it.

I am sorry.

It’s a great research tool for anything from drawing sewing volcanoes I could go on . There is a song created about nearly everything you learn. However I would never set that as a homework.

but often parents are very anti worksheets “ we did this when we were young haven’t things moved on”

so there is always criticism whatever you do .

I do like some of the maths times tables songs , as long as the children understand what x actually means .
Because otherwise it becomes meaningless when you have to swap it into division.

Scottish Government are not giving all kids from P6 onwards ipads. They had a commitment to every child having an iPad or laptop, but it's completely unworkable financially and practically. Devices going missing, difficulties with security restrictions etc etc etc etc etc

Some but certainly not all local authorities are choosing to provide pupils with on ipads from their budgets.

I have been drafted to support childcare as my son has separated. I’m living with him and he has shared care of a 4 year old.
I am troubled by his parenting - junk food is the main diet, swearing is normal around the child, reckless behaviour is allowed - climbing onto high surfaces unattended, experiment with dangerous things - matches, knifes, sharp objects - supervised mostly. The child is allowed to try dad’s alcohol, bedtime is usually around 9pm
Lots of screen time, no routine with getting to daycare early - often gets there towards lunchtime.
dad drinks heavily most nights …
what to do ? I get on with my son but this isn’t acceptable but how do I approach it?
thanks in advance

That’s really interesting. Did you read the full thing in detail though? It has lots of caveats in it and the language difficulties and screen time info were self reported by parents rather than actually assessed. I do get your point though - it’s sad to see very small kids with screens.
and the irony is…here we all are. On screens….

There is no evidence that tablets themselves harm developing brains.

There might be some evidence that using them for certain things is harmful - such as leaving a kid to sit and watch YouTube Kids for hours or letting young kids use social media.

However, using a tablet for homework, listening to audiobooks, creating music, coding, making artwork, watching a film or CBeebies on iPlayer, playing certain types of game, Zoom-calling grandparents, taking and editing photographs, learning to create animations and edit videos and many, many other applications is not remotely harmful.

I’ve got 6 children (including grown up children) and we’ve done all combinations between unlimited screen time and no screen time over the years. Like most parents we sleepwalked into exposing our children to tv, tablets, phones etc. I do agree their overall effect is negative, our younger ones are now completely screen free except unfortunately when in childcare