Just reading another thread, and it's a topic that has come up often over recent years. I didn't even realise this was a thing as I didn't have a smartphone at the time and didn't notice others using them with infants (aspie).
I can think of many difficult moments (ASD) infact every day was difficult, disabled, with a disabled child, on public transport, trying to navigate difficulties without help. Yet I can't picture a smartphone making the situation better. I find and see the use of them with older kids who interact with the devices, but I don't understand why people give them to babies? Babies naturally observe their environment and are easily stimulated, they already have a lot to look at and a screen would be a competing demand that they couldn't interact with rather than a soother. Babies need interaction from their caregivers and need a lot of care and sleep so there is less time to fill than an older child who has developed basic skills and is securely playing with a screen.
I had a parent tell me that they thought children should be exposed to screens as early as possible to develop screen skills and boost their infants intelligence. Is this sort of view common in those that give screens to babies? It was around the time of 'teach your baby to read' and pushy type parenting was in fashion but this view seems less common now, so why are infants and toddlers using screens as part of their daily activities now? Libraries have invested money to teach toddlers to use screens too so it is mainstream. I now often see babies in prams or buggies with a screen. Is it just parents passing on what they do? Why do people do it?