What is an “iPad Kid”?
According to a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, 48% of parents of children under 5 say their child uses or interacts with a tablet computer, growing to 80% for parents of children aged 5 to 11. 71% of these parent respondents say they are at least somewhat concerned about excessive usage.
Negative Effects
According to NIH, National Library of Medicine. One publication mentions to the negative effects.
Although electronic devices can improve education and learning, with several studies suggesting that these devices improves a young child’s ability to read and executive functions/
Too much Screen Time is bad
However, too much screen time brings negative effects to them. Too much time spent in front of a screen and multitasking with other media has been related to worse executive functioning and academic performance. [Muppalla, S. K., et. al.,2023]
Language and Social Skills Development Inhibited
Screen time reduces the amount and quality of interactions between children and their caregivers, it can also have an impact on language development. Type of content and its appropriateness also affects language development.
Additionally, excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth. With an increased risk in obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. [Muppalla, S. K., et. al.,2023]
Psychologically, excessive use of electronic devices disrupts the brain’s ability to interpret emotions, fuel aggressive conduct.
A child is the most impressionable at a young age.
This makes the early years of childhood crucial in acquiring language skills. These skills are gained through human interaction with adults and other children.
Screen time and especially inappropriate, over stimulating content like (Coco Melon) results in shorten attention spans and negative effects on speech, language, motor skills, cognitive development, and social development. [Muppalla, S. K., et. al.,2023]
What should Parents do?
Setting boundaries, utilizing parental controls, and demonstrating good screen behavior are all techniques that parents may use to manage children’s screen usage.
We can reduce the possible negative impacts of excessive screen time and promote children’s healthy development and well-being by increasing knowledge and encouraging alternative activities that stimulate development.
[Muppalla, S. K., et. al.,2023]
Some parents from my observations are themselves also addicted to screen time. Whole families would be eating in silence with their IPads .
And its so sad. Don’t you think so? I can’t be the only one.
Make a change.
Please, as a parent you have a responsibility in raising your child to be at least a functioning human being.
Please I beg you.
References
Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Reddy Pulliahgaru, A., & Sreenivasulu, H. (2023). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus, 15(6), e40608. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40608
