Loud Ipads/ phones being used to entertain children in restaurants

Yanbu. Utterly appalling parenting from the other table. If the kid is that unsocialised they should not be out in public.

Headphones should be used in places like restaurants. It's what we do, though they go away when eating.

I accept children are allowed in public spaces and are learning social etiquette, but I wish we’d stop pretending it’s acceptable to let your little treasure watch Peppa Pig at full volume in a restaurant. Either put headphones on your child if they absolutely must come, or leave them at home.

The kind of parents who let their children use iPads in restaurants will not respond to your requests to turn the volume down. You probably interrupted them while they were busy on their phones.

This!

“You don’t get to dictate that sort of thing”

You don’t get to ruin a public environment for everyone else with your shitty parenting. Get them headphones.

Read my other comment. And darling, try not to be ableist. It's not a good look

@GarlicBreadStan or you could parent without using a iPad

Why would the child be screaming ? If a child is too distressed to eat quietly in a restaurant then don’t take them to a restaurant as it’s making them uncomfortable. I can’t imagine my need for a meal overriding my child’s need to feel safe .

Yeah @Theslummymummy your username says it all. We don't want to hear your kids screens or your brats shouting and screaming either. OK?

Aw, if he enjoys going to restaurants and you can afford it, take your DC. Nothing wrong with headphones and a device. My now teen still does the same. Don’t let other people put you off.

As for devices without headphones, I think people have forgotten what they are. Restaurants, hospitals, public transport etc. I really don’t understand why people don’t use headphones, unless it’s because devices need headphone adapters and they can’t be arsed to buy them? I know the newer Apple devices need them.

Sorry to have made you think I was calling YOU a judgy fucker - I meant the person I initially replied to.

I don't agree with iPads on loudspeaker. I think it's unfair to disrupt other people no matter what kind of restaurant or public environment you're in (even if it's a fast food restaurant!). But I think that the person I replied to was being unfairly judgemental

Your child has a condition that means he/she needs an iPad with headphones to cope with being in a restaurant? No judgement from me. Your child has a condition that means they need an iPad on loudspeaker but we're in a McDonalds or similar? Knock yourself out.

Your child has a condition where they need an iPad on loudspeaker and we're in a restaurant where that's inappropriate and is bothering other patrons? Yes, I'll be unhappy about that. Just as I'd be unhappy if you'd brought a crying baby with you. If that makes you see me as a judgy fucker then so be it.

Why on earth do people feel entitled to subject their racket on other people

Not a law, obviously, but surely common courtesy?
These days, a meal out is a real treat for a lot of people. To spoil it by allowing noisy screens is really inconsiderate. Isn’t that obvious?
No issue with kids watching screens in restaurants if that’s what it takes for mum and dad to get to enjoy their meal but what’s wrong with headphones?

From the OP: "Our food had just arrived when we noticed some very annoying loud noise coming from the table next to us"

The law of rock-bottom decent public decorum.

Which law is this?

We share public spaces with other people. If everyone behaves like a selfish dick then places like restaurants become shit experiences for everybody. its not a hard concept to understand.

Turn the volume down.

No, absolutely not. If you look at my comment further up thread, you'll see that I said headphones are a courtesy if your children need screens when out for a meal.

However, I spent 5 years without giving my son a tablet or a phone in a restaurant. He used colouring books, we chatted (when he became old enough to hold a conversation) and I even used to walk him around the restaurant (safely!) and he would get overstimulated and scream and cry. At the time, I didn't know he was autistic. And I'd remove him from the restaurant until he calmed down. It was just too loud and overstimulating for him, but he would ask to go to restaurants because he liked the general experience. So, then out came the tablet. And he could finally just sit and enjoy his meal.

I don't take him to restaurants anymore, because of judgy fucking people like the person I replied to

This.

Where did pp mention it being loud?

But to answer your "question" yes that is often how additional needs can present.

So?

If your DC have special needs, does that mean that headphones, colouring books, conversation etc are entirely out of the question? Does it have to be iPad on loudspeaker or screaming and shouting with no other option?

It's antisocial. They are in a restaurant. Of course you can't sit and eat with music/tv. The parents are obviously entitled idiots who think they are more important than everyone else.

If they can’t sit in a restaurant without screaming, shouting or using an ipad, they don’t belong in the restaurant.