Ban iPads & Tablets For Children

[londonmummyof1]

Is it just me, or does the iPad generation bother anyone else?

We went on a family holiday to Spain with my husband and almost 3 year old daughter, and at breakfast, lunch and dinner it’s the same sight - parents bringing out iPads for their preschool children to sit and watch - while eating!?! This is something I have never seen before and I absolutely do not agree with. I think seeing the scale of the problem during this one holiday shows what a problem this is. The thing is, the children aren’t even given the choice of asking for the iPad or to watch a show, it’s just slapped down in front of them and then they are glued. No interaction, just plugged into this simulated world, at the prime time in their life they are developing their language, speech, behaviour and personality - under the age of 5.

We did not bring an iPad for our child on holiday because we wanted to play in the swimming/splash pool, go to the beach etc and we spent such quality time with our child with memories we will keep forever.

This did not happen 20 or even 10 years ago - what did parents do with their children then? God forbid did they COMMUNICATE with their children at the dinner table?

What is happening to this world? Why not have a conversation with your child or bring a sticker book or story book for them to look at if feeding time is difficult. Every parent has been there with challenging mealtimes, but lugging the iPad around during 3 mealtimes, that’s a minimum of 3 hours your child is in a zombie state of mind, you’re starving them of developing their speech and ability to play by themselves and entertain themselves through play.

Do parents understand that too much screen time is extremely damaging to young children and can pave the way to obesity and development issues later in life?

I feel so passionate about this topic, as I’ve even seen some parents putting their children in pushchairs by the swimming pools glued to an iPad, when they could be swimming and having fun with their parents or siblings.

Parenting can be really tough, but somehow I think government intervention is required as this is such a vicious cycle, what future are we preparing our children for???

Simple alternatives to iPad/Tablet entertainment:

Play doh
Stickers
Books
Playing cards
Colouring books
Drawing

Absolutely BAN iPads & Tablets for children.

Because of the very reason many reason plump for phones etc. Real colouring and reading takes more fine motor skill and is less anti social i.e. less likely to call for zero interaction from parents. A real book will call for the child to hold it properly,a parent to read it which illustrates how the mouth forms words and involves discussion( more Lang ops). Seeing it on a screen is more passive. Colouring on a screen just involves jabbing with a finger,not pencil control or pencil hold and again is more passive. They are worlds apart. It's a bit worrying that people don't realise this.

I’m quite sure this will be pounded upon as a “stealth boast” but DD could read by 2 (as I said on another thread)

So really by the time she was 4/5 borrowing my Kindle wasn’t an issue.

Holding an Apple pen is much like holding a real pen. In any event DD’s handwriting - which she struggled with - she improved by doing exercises on the iPad in conjunction with actual writing.

As I said earlier, banning tech is utterly foolish. Reasonable usage as part of a well-rounded lifestyle isn’t an issue in any way.

Lethaldrizzle

Surely if op is dead set against iPads to the point of wanting them banning ,it’s quite hypocritical of her to be using her smart phone during a holiday where she could be relaxing instead of complaining about strangers kids uses devices and not enjoying their holiday no?

Bully for you,most kids aren't reading at 2 as I'm sure you're aware.Research has shown that kids who read real books read more. The more you read the better you get and the bigger your vocabulary gets,it's ongoing.Even an advanced 2 year old like yours hasn't finished it's reading journey.A picture book is still better read by a human do kids can see the shapes of the mouth as words are formed and can discuss the story. Barking out print is only a small part of reading.My dc were very early readers too but there is no way I would have swapped a real book for a Kindle at that age. Why can't they have real books?

😂
🏆here, have a perfect parent award.

Why can't they have real books?

And again the assumption it’s an either or.

We were on holiday. She’d read all the books she had with her. She asked to read something on my Kindle. So it’s either “no you can’t read” or “yes of course”

We both read voraciously. Massively so. I’ve read 180+ since January, she’s on 60+. We read “real books” at home and Kindle when travelling.

Who wants to cart 14 real books with them on a week away

It's not about being a perfect parent but about discussing healthy habits for children.

Healthy,diet,exercise can be be used without toys being thrown out of the pram. Why not screen time?

If the OP wanted a discussion, they wouldn't have been so insulting and derogatory.
Yes, screen time should be limited but it has its values.

Well we manage it.

The fact is most 2 year olds aren't reading worthy literature on the phone that is sapping awareness of anything else. Most are watching Peppa Pig et al on a loop. And it's not just at meal tables but on buses,everywhere.

Heaven forbid that toddlers should see the world around them,get bored,squwark, have parent interaction or disturb the peace for 5 minutes when out and about.

mariemalade I used to work in a technical institution. DH is high up in tech and has visited some companies in silicon valley for talks and meetings. He regularly visits the large companies here, and has been to three of the web summits in the last few years. They've spoken about it at a number of conferences, how today's graduates need to be well versed in maths and have good groundings and basic skills and problem solving abilities

Discuss

Colouring on a screen just involves jabbing with a finger,not pencil control or pencil hold and again is more passive. They are worlds apart.

It's a bit worrying that people don't realise this.

Cowparsley, Great post, i completely agree with this point particularly. How can people think they are the same?

Children are also different. SOME children will not be impacted by excessive screen time. Others will. It is something that has been known to cause addiction.

A lot of this discussion centres around the rights of parents to parent their own way. Why don't we let parents allow their kids smoke? Drink alcohol? Surely that's their right to parent?

That might be extreme, but I honestly feel
That this discussion about under fives can not be taken out of the context of the detrimental impact social media and the internet is having on many young adults and teenagers.

Stayathomer, sorry I'm not sure whether you're agreeing with me about limiting technology or not?

Surely all those skills are learned without screens?

Well at this moment in time I am very grateful for the ipad. Just got back from a day out, my two year old is tired, hungry and overwrought, and half an hour of screen time has bought me some time to cook him a meal in peace.

We all need quiet time. As an adult I often just want to veg out in front of the telly, why shouldn't he do the same if he needs to?!

How can people think they are the same?

Because there are countless drawing/colouring programmes from “jabbing at a screen” to the detailed drawing programmes artists use.

That might be extreme, but I honestly feel
That this discussion about under fives can not be taken out of the context of the detrimental impact social media and the internet is having on many young adults and teenagers

I think that’s a really good point. And it’s cergainly something that I feel it’s important to discuss with children.

DD knows we have parental control and that everything has to be asked for. She knows about social media but knows there are age limits and why. She knows about the dangers of the internet and what she can do to be safer as her use gets more individual.

Healthy,diet,exercise can be be used without toys being thrown out of the pram.

Clearly you've never read a healthy eating thread on MN then.

marie this was the first article I found on it, hope it's ok!!! www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/02/schools-that-ban-tablets-traditional-education-silicon-valley-london

I have to say that it would never occur to me to read ds a book from a tablet, however.

Not read the full thread but agree with you OP. A lot of parents are just as addicted as the kids though.

I'm sure in ten to twenty years internet and it's usage will be much more regulated and guidelines adhered to. As an invention it's in early stages so nobody believes the danger.

Jacqueshammer, I realise that, but it still doesn't develop any of the same fine motor skills a young child needs, like colouring and cutting real objects does.

Look, I think it's pretty clear that you have your head screwed on with regards to your child and tech. She uses it a lot but the balance is obviously there, particularly as she is such a great reader.

But do you honestly think that everyone is as conscious of that? I see so much chatter about really young kids watching Toy review videos, kinder egg opening videos and I honestly think, what planet am I on?

Also, this discussion always ruffles feathers? Why? Because I believe life is tough these days, more of us are parenting without family support networks and that actually, screen time is a great way to give a stressed out parent a break. But unfortunately, it may very well have a negative impact on your child.

I haven't read the whole thread but has anyone shared this yet? Relevant. medium.com/@jamesbridle/something-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2

There was concern about "screen time' (yuck, hate that term) back when I was a youngster using my ZX80/81. Concerns about technologies have been a thing since the Luddites or when the Dutch chucked their clogs in machinery.

There's a shocking level of IT literacy in some older people (and I don't mean 60+ either) At least younger generation learn to use a computer well at an ear;y age. So yeah, stop your kids using technology and watch as they fall behind in a world that's increasing tech driven. But don't let your kids be glued to the iPad all day.

Simples.

But do you honestly think that everyone is as conscious of that?

No absolutely not. But I always think that you cannot make a judgement of someone’s life/parenting by one snapshot in a restaurant

As I said earlier. I think there’s interesting and valid conversations to be had about technology. But I don’t think the OP wanted that, from her post construction.

DD uses tech when she wants. Is that a lot? I don’t know. She’s currently researching roller coasters for a model she wants to make from Lego

What a rude and judgemental op, you sound like a delight!
I’m sure the families with iPads also made some lovely empties to keep on their holiday too and I’m sure their children did other things apart from go on their iPads.
If you don’t like them don’t buy/use them
(Btw we don’t take any screens on holiday either before I’m accused on being one of those parents!)

Sorry mariemalade Sorry! I think I must have missed your point there, you asked what I knew that others didn't, and I jumped to the wrong conclusion! I agree with everything you say, I'm all for both, really, moderation in iPads and a lot of real life experiences so they don't turn into little zombies!!!!