Is The iPad Hurting Children’s Brain Development?

It is very common to come across children who are so caught up in their mobile phones, iPad or any other tablets for that matter.

These children are so focused on these devices that they become so oblivious to their surroundings until they are taken away from their hands.

One mommy even shared with us that she tries her very best not to use her smartphone in front of her child to avoid exposing her child to these gadgets at an early age.

Such determination!

In this topic, we will be touching on these:

• The negative effects of using iPad or any electronic devices on a toddler
• The symptoms indicating an addiction
• The recommended screen time according to age
• 8 ways on how to limit screen time

Do you have the same thought as this mommy?

If you do, then keep reading.

You can jump to sections relevant to you using the table below.

What are the negative effects of iPad on toddlers?

Before we answer the question, understand this.

Looking at the time and society we are currently in, these electronic devices are everywhere and it is just impossible to avoid them all unless you decide to live in a jungle.

It’s not that these media are all bad and stuff, but rather the quality that you should spend with your child has been drastically reduced because of these devices.

Now, to answer the question.

The negative effects.

Bad for the eyes

Really? Is iPad bad for toddlers’ eyes?

Truth be told, iPad itself does not cause direct damage to your toddler’s eyes but rather the lack of sunlight devoids your toddler the chance of a healthy eye development.

Most toddlers who use an iPad stay indoors most of the time, which deprive them the chance of getting natural light.

Take a look at this study comparing nearsightedness in children of Chinese ethnicity in Sydney and Singapore.

The rate of nearsightedness in Singapore is almost 9 times higher than in Sydney.

The reason?

Singapore has a competitive education system in which toddlers as young as 18 months are enrolled in a preschool before getting into primary one.

Most learning and activities are conducted indoors.

On the other hand, children in Sydney has extracurricular activities and spend an average of 14 hours a week outside as compared to children in Singapore, who spent a measly 3 hours a week.

In summary, iPad does not cause your toddler’s eyes to deteriorate but the lack of natural sunlight does as usage of electronic devices are usually confined to a house.

Reduced sensory stimulation

Screens do not provide your toddler with the necessary stimulation needed for his growth.

Just imagine your child watches a beach on the iPad, apart from sight, what else can he feel?

We are blessed with 5 types of sensory:

• touch
• smell
• vision
• taste
• hear

Why use one when you can use all 5?

Your toddler will have a richer experience if he is actually brought to a beach instead. He can feel the breeze on his face, the texture of the sands beneath his soles, the smell of the beach, the sound of the tides and the taste of the seawater.

Can an iPad give you all that?

Sleep interference

I do not deny the fact that iPad contains lots of informational and educational apps that may aid a toddler’s learning.

However, truth is, nothing beats reading a good old book.

When it is close to bedtime, using the iPad may not be a wise choice.

The blue and white light emitted by electronic devices stimulates the toddler’s brain, tricking it into thinking that it is still daylight.

Your toddler will have a tougher time falling asleep after using an iPad as compared to reading a book.

Delay in language and social development

That’s right, it delays development!

Albeit the popular belief that iPad will enhance your toddler’s learning ability, it does not.

Learning in itself, especially for little ones, is a 2-way process.

Do you know that babies will have a larger vocabulary and higher intelligence if their language environment is richer?

That means you have to get involved. Speak to your child, and not let the iPad do the talking.

We will talk more about this in the following section.

A moody and lazy child

As you know, excessive exposure to iPad causes sleep disruptions.

What happens when are you tired?

You are cranky, right?

This applies to your child too!

Also, if your little one has started playing games on the iPad, albeit educational ones, it may also induce a certain amount of stress in your toddler when he plays it.

If the stress level builds up, it may cause your child to feel irritable and agitated.

Apart from that, these apps (that provides rewards) and games on the iPad put your child in a “feel-good” state for as long as he is playing with it as it triggers the constant release of dopamine, a hormone that creates this feel-good feeling.

In other words, instant gratification.

When you take this feeling away from your child, he will be demotivated and has a lack of energy in performing other activities as they are not as rewarding as playing with the iPad.

As a result, you are creating a lazy child.

Not able to make friends

Being lazy is one. Not being able to make friends is another.

Your child will lack the ability to understand emotions and have difficulty in creating relationships with others.

You know why?

This is because your child has been only taking to the iPad itself. Or more like the iPad “talking” to your child.

There is no communication involved.

Increased screen time stops your child’s frontal brain from developing which is needed for social interactions.

You don’t want your child to be a zombie and a lone ranger, do you?

Why is screen time bad for toddlers?

Alright, sure. You are still not convinced about not letting your child use the iPad.

You still believe that using an iPad or any electronic devices may help your toddler to be smarter.

Like “You know what? My child knows how to operate the iPad by himself and starts his favourite app!”.

Personally, it is not actually an “achievement” that you should be proud of. It is more worrisome rather than an accomplishment.

There are always two sides to a coin.

Yes, your toddler is definitely good at what he can do with the iPad, but there are also other serious implications that may have gone unnoticed.

Let us take this for an example.

• You have a busy schedule.
• You need some time to run your errands.
• You hand your child an iPad to keep him entertained for the time being.
• Chore gets done.
• Your child remains glued to the iPad.
• Given this opportunity, you think to yourself “Why not I get a few more things done too?”.

As time goes by, you will find yourself repeating this process over and over again.

Many of us fall into this category because we need time to do things or time-off from their kids.

Don’t we all?

Pause and straighten your thought.

All these time that your child is spending in front of the media, the numbers of hours gone by, there was no communication between you and your child.

How do you expect your child to learn this way?

I am sure that the next thing that comes to mind is this, “I’m giving my child educational apps to use and videos to watch, isn’t he learning something?”.

Here’s what American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

High-quality programs, videos or apps with supervision.

Your supervision!

When your child learns from these apps, there is only one-way communication as compared to when you view or learn it with your child.

The disadvantages of excessive screen time without supervision:

• It delays a child’s speech and language skill development.
• A child will not be able to understand emotions as electronic devices are emotionless.
• A younger child will have a skewed version of the world, unable to differentiate between a cartoon and a real object.
• Poor short-term memory and attention span.

Sounds bad right?

Truth be told, letting your child use an electronic device is not a bad thing.

Just like an old saying, a bad craftsman always blames his tools.

Your electronic devices are not at fault.

It is you who is responsible for your child’s growth and development.

Screen addiction symptoms in children

There is this saying that goes “The eyes don’t see what the mind doesn’t know”.

If you don’t know the symptoms, then likely you will not realize that your child is addicted to the screen.

Here are the 8 symptoms that point towards screen addition:

1. No control

Your child just can’t stop using the device. Even during meal times, he has to use it.

If you are doing it too, you may jolly well have some form of addiction issues.

2. Loss of interest

Nothing interest your child more than the iPad itself.

He just wants the iPad and is not keen to participate in other activities.

3. Preoccupied

Just like a football fan during World Cup who eats, sleeps and thinks nothing but football.

Your child is doing the same exact thing, except with the iPad.

4. Does not socialize

Finds no joy in creating a conversation with others.

Rather face the iPad than people in real life.

5. Argumentative

Does your child argue with you when you take away the iPad from him?

Does he get angry and refuse to listen to you?

This is one of the symptoms of addiction.

6. Tolerance

Your child needs to use the iPad for a longer period of time to satisfy his need.

Over time, the time needed to reach the same pleasurable (dopamine) levels increases, which means longer usage of the device as compared to when he first started.

7. Withdrawal

He can’t seem to sit still when the device is kept away from him.

Easily agitated.

8. Mood stabilizer

Does your child depend on the device to keep calm? Especially on a bad day?

If nothing seems to be able to calm your child down apart from the iPad, be wary.

It’s just like an adult who needs alcohol to take his sorrows away.

Recommended screen time for children

Here is the screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for each age group:

Screen time for babies under 18 months old

0 hours. None. Zilch.

Although an exception is made for video-chatting (eg. Skype. Facetime, etc.) it’s best to avoid them if possible.

Screen time for toddlers between 18 to 24 months old

If you want to introduce digital media to your child, then wait till 18 months old.

In general, no longer than 1 hour (although no time frame has been given) since the maximum screen time for 2-year olds are 1-hour max.

High-quality programs, please. And be sure you explain to your child what’s on screen.

Screen time for 2, 3, 4 and 5-year olds

1-hour max.

Again, let me reinforce this.

High-quality programs and provided that you are using these programs or apps with your child.

Screen time for 6-year olds or older

There are no specific hours given but it is advisable to set a time limit.

More importantly, make sure that media usage does not take over your child’s physical activities or sleep.

Or any other activities that are essential for his growth and health.

Who is the teacher? You or the iPad?

After reading the above, I hope you should be able to understand the effects of iPad on little ones and be wary when you plan to use it.

More importantly, you can start off by using pictures books and cards if your child is less than 18 months of age.

Even flashcards themselves won’t teach your child anything if you just leave the cards to your child’s hands without spending the quality time teaching him how to identify and read.

The very same principle applies to apps or education programs on mobile devices.

Once your child is older, you can introduce apps to him gradually, let him use them with you by his side as he learns and set a limitation to how long your child can use them.

You are your child’s first teacher.

Remember, no one can ever replace that.

All the books, flashcards, apps and other electronic devices are just your tools to help you along the way.

How you use them, will eventually dictate your child’s future outcome.

How to limit children’s screen time?

If your toddler has already started to use an iPad, you can either let him have the freedom to use the iPad as long as he wants and face the consequences later.

Or, set a limit. If the limit is your pick, then here are 8 tips to help you out:

Be a parent and not a friend

You are your child’s parent. Set rules and limitations.

A lot of parents fall into this trap because of the unwanted meltdowns and screams.

In the end, they just give in to their child’s demands.

Making the bold move

Trash the iPad.

Okay, fine. Sounds a little drastic but you can sell the iPad, or even give it away.

If your child does not see one lying at home, the chances of him asking for it will reduce significantly.

Set an example

If you are a screen addict yourself, how do you expect your child to stop using one?

Children follow their parent’s footsteps.

So changes should begin with yourself, first.

Play with your child

Children by nature, like to play. Not to be glued to the screen.

It is us that makes them a screen-addict.

Spend time with your child doing other activities. Be it arts and crafts or outdoor activities.

It takes effort but like the saying goes, no pain no gain.

No iPad/TV in the room

It is highly encouraged to keep these away from your child’s room.

Not even yours.

Keep bedtime special for you and your child:

• Read a book
• Sing a couple of songs
• Run through the day’s event with your child

There is no better time to bond with your child than bedtime itself.

Agree on a time limit

If your toddler has some level of understanding, instead of just saying no, reason it out with him.

Discuss the reasons behind it and come to an agreement on the time he should be spending on the iPad.

A win-win situation for both parties.

Do stuff together

Allow your child to be involved in your life. It’s easy to just chuck your child into a corner with an iPad while you do your chores.

Children are great little helpers.

Although it takes more time to get the work done with your little one helping, it teaches your child responsibility and independence from young.

Besides, it’s a great way to bond with your child too!

Eat together

Meal times are actually the best time to have a conversation with your child.

Take this time to listen and understand your child more.

A lot of people are pretty much glued to their phones at the eating tables these days.

Even a toddler is given an iPad to watch while being fed.

Sad, isn’t it? Who’s going to make the change if it’s not you?

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) of Singapore summarized all the above relatively well in this short video clip.

Take home points

• Advisable not to let your toddler use the iPad until he is 2 years old.
• Use the iPad together with your child, not as a babysitting tool.
• There are more negative effects than benefits of letting your child use an iPad at an early age.
• For an older child (2 to 5 years old), limit the iPad usage to no more than 1 hour a day.
• You are the teacher of your child, not the iPad.

What do you think?

Will you be compromising on certain (busy) days, letting your child use the iPad?

Or ban it completely?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

1. Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy | Psychology Today
2. Myopia, Lifestyle, and Schooling in Students of Chinese Ethnicity in Singapore and Sydney | The JAMA Network
3. How To Limit Your Child’s Screen Time | Becoming Minimalist
4. American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use | American Academy of Pediatrics