I’m not sure what the editors over at Medium are thinking, but they somehow picked the article, “iPad Addictions and Three Year Olds“, as an editor’s pick. The article is short, so you can read through it quickly.
The author seems to think that his 3-year old being addicted to an iPad is some kind of joke. No, it is not. South Korea is actually putting in programs so that children as young as three learn to control their technology usage.
Since this is a relatively new phenomenon, there is not that much research. But it is coming. And anyone who has looked at child development from an evolutionary perspective will see where the research is headed.
It bothers me that this may become the norm. I see it in the grocery store all the time. Parents give their kids a cellphone or gamer to keep them quiet. How will a child ever learn to act in public spaces if they are never given the chance (and the adult guidance)?
Along the same lines, there is this: the “iPotty”.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Honestly, I thought this was a joke when a saw an article talking about it. Then I find out it’s being sold at Target! So now a child can’t go the bathroom without an iPad present? Absolutely ridiculous.
To sum it up: first, children don’t need any electronic devices. Millions of children before them have done just fine without these devices. Second, there is absolutely zero research to show that any electronic device usage by a child has any benefits. Early indications are that this usage is a negative, and I would bet the house that research over the next 3 to 4 years will show usage has pronounced negative effects.
