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.

PathologicalDemandAvoidance you assume all children are like your child and have the same difficulties as your child.

Your child is verbal. Your child understands speech. Your child doesn't have severe learning difficulties. Your child doesn't appear to have significant sensory difficulties ( the main reason generally for ipad use in children with asd). Your child doesn't appear to have major anxiety about going to anywhere different. The training at home won't have helped with the things I have just mentioned.

You are talking about having candles out to people who could not allow our child anywhere near a candle because they would put their hand straight in the flame because they don't understand they will get burnt.

Good thing I don't give a fuck what sanctimummies say, isn't it?

As expected, this conversation has become dominated by easily slighted, overly defensive, bitter morons

You’re the parent of a child with SEN and use disablist language?

Cool story

Live yogurt and pickled onion

I genuinely think you sound like a superb Mum pda, for what it's worth. Not to say I think everyone should do exactly what you do, but I don't believe you just got lucky.

What the hell is a "Sluggish digestive system"? Think I must have missed the lecture at university where we covered it?

I think this has all strayed away from what could be an interesting conversation about screen time and children. Many of us on this thread have pointed out a number of times that we are talking about NT children here, not children with additional needs of any kind.

Icantcope, I'm interested to hear your research on the benefits of technology and education.

The research to date shows that recall and retention of information is much lower when reading from a screen versus a book.

From my work in schools, I've heard of many situations where children are requesting school books alongside their iPads, as they find it much easier to concentrate, highlight passages etc.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/

I also think the research on attention spans and the impact excessive screen time has on cognitive development in children is worrying, something I feel many parents are just not aware of.
www.alzheimers.net/overuse-of-technology-can-lead-to-digital-dementia/

DD aged 11 says nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need i-pad no one protest

My DS is 1 so not old enough for your 'IPad alternatives'. When we have stayed in hotels we do break out the IPad at the breakfast table. DS eats and is finished in under 3 minutes. He wants to get down and run around then! A few minutes of screentime allows us to scarf down a slice of toast, a few mouthfuls of coffee and to pick up everything he has dropped. On holiday he doesn't sleep well so we're probably exhausted, it's really sad to think that everyone in the room is judging us for this.

ZZZZ , I'm not trying to exclude anyone.
Obviously the OP has quite a sensational headline, re banning for all. But why is no one willing to discuss the downsides of excessive usage? What would they deem as excessive? It's a technology that no children used 10 years ago and now it's everywhere.

Lots of the research says it's having a negative impact. But I feel lots of parents are unwilling to think about that, if it means minimising the digital babysitter.

DD aged 11 says nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need i-pad no one protest

Mine said “how pointless” 😆

But why is no one willing to discuss the downsides of excessive usage? What would they deem as excessive? It's a technology that no children used 10 years ago and now it's everywhere

I am perfectly happy - and have raised this point at least twice - to have a discussion about excess usage. I don’t think the OP wanted that. She wanted a pat on the back for her exemplary parenting.

As to “overuse” I don’t think it is something that can be quantified by an arbitrary time frame. Each child will be completely different.

I think this has all strayed away from what could be an interesting conversation about screen time and children. Many of us on this thread have pointed out a number of times that we are talking about NT children here, not children with additional needs of any kind.

The whole point though is those judging the parents in this situation like the OP, have no idea which children have additional needs as lots will be completely invisible for someone sat on the next table.

Marie - neither of those "studies" are reputable, or trustworthy.

I'm actually really looking forward to continuing my research in this field. As a teacher who has had some profound results with the use of tech and gaming with particular needs, I'm all for proving the tech haters wrong.

Parents of children with disabilities are parents too, or is it your intention to exclude us as a group?

Live yoghurt and pickles sounds like a vomit comet 😂

Icantcope, could you point me in the direction of the research in this area about the benefits of technology usage and young children?

The main benefits I've read are with regards to children with additional needs, again another reason why I'm not trying to exclude this group from the conversation, but rather agreeing that for certain children, technology is a huge asset.