Screen time is a big topic among parents, but unfortunately, there are no clear-cut answers on how much exposure a child should have. Being that iPads and similar devices haven’t been around that long, there haven’t been enough solid longitudinal studies on the topic for researchers to come to a screen-time consensus.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the issue, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children 18 to 24 months old shouldn’t have any screen time (excluding video chatting) and kids who are 2 to 5 years old should have no more than an hour a day.
Liva, a researcher who works with children ages 3 months to 3 years, says that the effects of constant iPad use on a young child are apparent. She says that iPad kids have parents who allow unlimited use and believe an “iPad can raise a child.” As compared to parents who allow their kids to have an hour or less of screen time a day.
“Let me tell you, every single time an iPad kid comes in, us, the researchers, we know. It doesn’t take very long to tell,” she explains in a video with over 1 million views. “There is a big difference between babies who are exposed to screens 24/7 and babies who are not, and you can tell within the first 10 minutes of meeting a baby.”
If i ever have kids theyre getting minimal screen time, like im talking almost 0. I feel so bad for teachers too. #ipadbabies #childdevelopment
@ratiliciousxx If i ever have kids theyre getting minimal screen time, like im talking almost 0. I feel so bad for teachers too. #ipadbabies #childdevelopment
“At one point, we give the parent an iPad, and if the baby cannot have that iPad, all hell breaks loose,” she continued. “It is, like, the end of the world. Like, I’ve seen babies who are 8 to 10 months old, who have zero interest in actual baby toys but freak out when they see the iPad. And it’s really concerning.”
In a follow-up video, Liv further explained the difference between healthy and unhealthy iPad use in young children.
@ratiliciousxx Replying to @´･ᴗ･`
Replying to @´･ᴗ･`