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Is the iPad Beneficial or Detrimental for Kids?
My 5-year-old is absolutely captivated by the iPad. I’ve loaded a few games on there for him, but what truly excites him is the voice dictation feature. He carefully speaks into the mic, and the software writes his stories: “I am could you please type that I am a pirate.” He constantly begs for the iPad; he simply adores it. Honestly, I sometimes wish I had never introduced it to him.
Now, I have a 2-year-old who has also discovered the iPad’s magic and allure. He eagerly snatches it up whenever we accidentally leave it unattended. He’s already figured out how to swipe to unlock it.
Most of us know that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) used to recommend zero screen time for kids under 2 and no more than two hours for children over 2. However, I recently learned that those guidelines were established before interactive apps were even a thing, particularly for little ones. Could interactive apps potentially be “better” for kids compared to just passive screen time? I wonder, hoping for a positive answer.
While I feel guilty each time I hand my kid my phone or the iPad, it’s often because I need to tackle something that isn’t exactly kid-friendly—like filling out paperwork at the DMV or getting a check-up at the dermatologist. The iPad may be the reason I still have my driver’s license and a clean bill of health from the derm. I just hope it’s not doing them too much harm, because, let’s face it, I really need it!
About that guilt, though. There hasn’t been much research on the effects of different types of screen time on children. Is it better to let them be enchanted by Sesame Street or by an interactive app? As reporter Mia Johnson notes in a recent piece, studies on this are still in their early stages, primarily because 1) interactive apps evolve rapidly; 2) it’s challenging to create lab studies that mimic the real-world apps marketed to children; and 3) finding kids willing to participate in studies can be tricky. After all, busy parents aren’t eager to haul their kids to labs for video recordings without any compensation.
Nonetheless, Dr. Sarah Thompson, an assistant professor in the Human Development and Family Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is investigating this issue, as reported by Johnson.
The Appeal of the iPad
First, let’s discuss why the iPad is so appealing to young children, even more so than television. Interactive software taps into kids’ love for “contingency”: For instance, if they throw toys on the floor and you pick them up, they delight in this and will continue the cycle. Interactive software amplifies this tenfold. If they swipe and the iPad activates, or tap an app and it opens, they are utterly fascinated.
Dr. Thompson is examining whether this sense of contingency aids in learning more than passive viewing does. She discovered that for toddlers around 2 years old, engaging with apps facilitated their learning. However, for children older than 30 months, they learned just as effectively from a video as from an interactive program. Johnson writes: “This finding has significant implications. Engaging children in active participation may counter the well-known video deficiency effect. Perhaps kids under two can learn from screens after all.”
But there are caveats. A lab study doesn’t necessarily reflect real-life scenarios. The apps our kids use could be captivating without providing any educational value. We might choose apps that are either too simplistic or too complex for them, rendering them ineffective for learning. Generally, children learn best through in-person interactions, so experts emphasize that parents should supervise how kids utilize technology rather than allowing it to serve as a digital babysitter. Johnson advises that “a tablet should be seen as a tool to foster interaction with your child, rather than a substitute for it.”
Okay, but that doesn’t help with the dermatologist visit, the DMV paperwork, or the “I-just-need-twenty-minutes-to-cook-dinner” moments. I suppose I can be diligent about finding the best apps for my kids and using them wisely. It’s comforting to know that not all screen time is created equal, and when you really need a moment of peace—well, there’s an app for that.
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Conclusion
In summary, the iPad can be both beneficial and detrimental for kids, depending on how it’s used. While interactive apps may offer some educational value, they should not replace personal interaction and supervision. Finding quality apps and using them mindfully is key in navigating screen time effectively.