Could your child ’ s obsession with your iPad be a good thing ?
Written By Crystal Han
These days , it ’ s almost impossible to see a child without an iPad , but is it right for young kids to use them ? Since its release in 2010 , the iPad has had a polarizing effect on parents , with some feeling that it is good for children and others believing it ’ s bad . The arguments on both sides are equally compelling . But perhaps we should worry more about how kids are using them , instead of whether or not they should .
As of yet , there still isn ’ t enough research to show how iPads and touch-screen devices effect a child ’ s brain development . What sets them apart from computers , television , and video games is that , instead of passively staring at a screen , the iPad encourages interactivity .
Kids take to iPads almost as if it ’ s been hard-wired into them at birth . As young as 2 weeks old , a child can navigate an iPad app , instantly absorbed in its dazzling array of colors and sounds . With life ’ s hectic schedule , it ’ s easy for parents to take advantage of this in order to get work done or to avoid a meltdown in a public area . The danger isn ’ t in the act itself , but how often parents resort to the iPad to pacify a situation . As strange as it may sound , young children need boredom . It teaches them to use their imaginations and find creative ways to entertain themselves . Kids who rely on technology as a solution to boredom never learn how to selfsoothe . As they progress to middle and high school , kids struggle with assignments they consider boring and are sometimes unable to complete them at all . They lack the means to find a creative way to approach their school work . As a result , many kids hit an academic wall .
The link between the overuse of touch-screen devices and the rise of ADHD also has many parents concerned . Children who grow up using iPads become accustomed to the fast paced , instant gratification that they provide . iPad apps and games trigger the brain ’ s natural reward centers , causing a dopamine rush , which is why many children quickly become attached to their iPads . After spending so much time absorbed in these games , the real world appears dull and slow in comparison . Underwhelmed by their real environment , children have difficulties focusing and they will flock back to the iPad for “ relief ”. The more dependent they become on technology to satisfy their needs , the more kids lose the ability to communicate with others and develop real-life social skills .
For every negative effect an iPad might have on children , there is , however , an equal benefit . Infants and toddlers can get a jumpstart on learning through educational apps that teach them unique ways to engage in reading , writing , listening , and speaking . Apps like Magnetic ABCs allow children to use digital magnet letters to write their names or the names of their friends . The portability of the iPad makes it easy for a child to wander through their environment and write the words they see . Additionally , they are acclimating themselves to the technology they will need to understand in order to succeed in this technological age .
Studies of iPad use in a classroom setting showed an increase in communication between children . Pre-schoolers were paired off , two to one iPad , and given tasks to complete . Even when it wasn ’ t their turn to use the iPad , children showed an interest in what their partner was doing . They would often suggest ideas and help their partner solve problems . Kids who knew more about a specific app than others were eager to teach their peers . By building off of their classmates ’ ideas and helping others , pre-schoolers displayed a level of maturity and communication characteristic in kids of older age groups . They learned the value of teamwork , which is essential in every stage of life .
As technology becomes an integral part of our every day lives , no one can blame a parent for wanting to protect their child from its negative effects . While excessive use can be harmful , there are also a multitude of ways iPads can bolster creativity and learning . Instead of taking the all-or-nothing approach , the key lies in finding the middle ground . An iPad can ’ t replace other toys , games , or physical activity . Those are still essential experiences children need in order to learn about their environment and develop strong human relationships . However , when used educationally and not just as a means for distraction , children can take what they learn from iPads and apply it to real world concepts that will help them shape their futures .
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