The Ugly Truth of iPad Kids

The internet and connected devices are both a blessing and a curse. The immediate access to information is making users dependent because they feel more intelligent. It’s a false sense of security. So what if it all goes away? Are we all doomed?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average amount of time Americans spend in front of screens varies by age group: 

• 8–10 years old: 6 hours per day 
• 11–14 years old: 9 hours per day 
• 15–18 years old: 7.5 hours per day 

These numbers don’t include time spent on screens for schoolwork. Watching TV accounts for about half of this screen time across all age groups. But what about the youngest of our population?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 18–24 months avoid screens entirely, except for video chatting with family. For children over 2, the AAP suggests limiting screen time to 1–2 hours per day.

There is a growing population of children — mainly Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and today) — that use the internet for varying purposes from education to entertainment. As the past decade has shocked and drastically changed the world, the United States has experienced the effects of chronic technological dependency in children that has been dubbed the infamous rise of the “iPad kid”. 

The sensitive nature of childhood development means that certain developmental timelines are necessary for proper cognitive growth of the brain. Much like how the consistent use of drugs and other substances can “kill” neural pathways in the brain due to underuse and lack of brain stimulation, the same can happen with chronic screen time. 

Excessive screen time can have negative effects on children, including:

Social and emotional growth

Increased screen time can lead to emotional dysregulation, a lack of attention, and social ineptitude. It can also increase the likelihood of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as sleep disorders and obesity.

Excessive screen usage can also lead to problems in social-emotional development, including obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. It can impair emotional comprehension, promote aggressive behavior, and hinder social and emotional competence.

Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development, Jun 18 2023; NIH

Developmental delays

Screen time can delay the development of fine motor skills, language ability, and social skills. Children under the age of three may also experience underdeveloped fine motor skills. These delays were attributed to just 4 hours of daily screen time; the average American child’s screen time is anywhere between 5 and 7 hours.

Imagination and empathy

Excessive screen time can lead to less empathy and imagination. The constant screen in front of kids decreases children’s natural ability to learn and grow empathy.

So if your young child is spending all of his time in front of an iPad instead of chatting and playing with teachers and other children, his empathetic abilities — the near-instinctive way you and I can read situations and get a feel for other people — will be dulled, possibly for good.

“What Screen Time Can Really Do to Kids’ Brains,” Liraz Margalit, Ph.D.

Academic standards

Screen time can negatively impact traditional academic standards and teaching methods. Some educators have noted that children are struggling to read and write at the expected level.

A study found that with children aged two and below, every hour of daily screen time increased attention deficits by 9% up until the age of seven.

Physical Health Issues

Children with electronic devices were eight times more likely to have low physical activity, and children with >6 hours of daily screen time were four times more likely to have low physical activity.

• Eye strain: Looking at a screen for long periods can cause sore eyes and headaches. Holding the screen too close can also contribute to eye strain. 
• Blurred vision: Prolonged exposure to the blue light from an iPad’s screen can cause blurred vision. 
• Sleep disorders: The blue light can also disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, which can lead to sleep disorders
• Sedentary behavior: Using an iPad can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to obesity and other health issues.

Algorithms

Algorithms can be designed to manipulate children and lead them to damaging content. Even on websites geared towards children and young adults, there are often adult online predators who look to interact with children. In the most serious cases, this can lead to real life encounters.

How To Regulate Your Child’s Screen Time

With the challenges of parenting in the digital age, it’s essential to approach the regulation of your child’s screen time with empathy, understanding and patience. Research emphasizes the benefits of a “screen-free week” in kick-starting screen time interventions. This is even more impactful if your screen-free-week is something the family does as a whole and not just a punishment.

Parents in the study discovered that their children were happier when engaged in activities together than during screen time, and many were able to successfully set limits on screen time thereafter. Embarking on a screen-free week can be a transformative starting point for parents attempting to balance the use of technology in their children’s lives, with reverberating effects:

1. Screen-free week reflections. Begin by reflecting on the insights gained during the screen-free week. Pay attention to the impact of reduced screen time on your child’s behavior, mood and family dynamics. Based on your observations, set age-appropriate limits for screen time, taking into consideration the developmental needs of your child.
2. Establish clear boundaries. Wait until at least age two to introduce unsupervised screen time, prioritizing high-quality educational content; toddlers will benefit more from hands-on activities than they will from screens in terms of their developmental milestones. As your child grows, set age-appropriate daily screen time limits and use parental controls to ensure the content aligns with values and age suitability. This approach safeguards against inappropriate content and cultivates responsible screen habits from an early age.
3. Lead by example. Demonstrate healthy screen habits by modeling limited and purposeful screen use for your children. Actively engage in non-screen activities to emphasize the importance of balance.
4. Engage in joint activities. Encourage activities that involve face-to-face interaction, such as board games, outdoor play or family outings. Consider using technology with your child when it’s needed; this allows further modeling of healthy use of screen time while also having quality time together. Strengthening the bond between parent and child is key to minimizing excessive screen dependence.
5. Empower your child to limit their screen time. Encourage your child to take an active role in managing their screen time by using technology itself. Teach them how to set timers for daily screen sessions. This not only imparts valuable time-management skills but also helps them self-assess when it’s time to transition to a different activity. By involving them in the process, you instill a sense of responsibility and autonomy, promoting a healthy balance between technology and other enriching experiences.
6. Create screen-free zones. Designate specific areas in your home where screens are not allowed, enforcing a balance between tech and non-tech environments. This helps create a physical boundary that promotes diverse activities.