The Infamous iPad Kid

Gen z is finally growing up becoming one of the last technology-lite generations to ever exist. However, we were also one of the first generations to have technology play a major part in our development- hence the coining of the infamous term, the “iPad kid.”


The “iPad kid” is a term that refers to a child who gets all of its entertainment from an iPad (or other types

of technology) and thus secludes itself from the world around it. Unfortunately, technology is growing in popularity by the minute, even establishing itself in our education and physical activity. Now more than ever our society is supporting the development of iPad kids.
In accompaniment with this constant screen exposure comes problems such as hindered social skills, anger issues, depression, obesity, and sleep disorders. “If the neural pathways that control social and imaginative responses aren’t developed in early childhood, it’s difficult to revive them later,” Sue Palmer wrote in her article about the effects of screen usage for child development. Along with actually altering the way a child’s brain develops, technology can also take up useful time that kids need to be spending doing hands-on learning and physical activity. Combined, these two technological inhibitors prevent kids from fully developing and cause the cliche “iPad kid” problems.

To prevent the complete failure of an entire generation, technology utilization needs to be kept at a minimum. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of two should have no screen time at all and all older children should not exceed two hours of screen use a day. Even Steve Jobs, the creator of the iPad, didn’t give his children tablets growing up. Seems like a red flag for iPads if you ask me.

According to Statista, screen time is now the leading activity for children in the U.S., trumping family activities and outdoor recreation.

The use of technology in the upcoming generations is inevitable. However, in order to only reap its benefits, it must be closely monitored for adolescents in order to ensure another successful generation.

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3420064/Why-iPad-far-bigger-threat-children-realises-Ten-years-ago-psychologist-SUE-PALMER-predicted-toxic-effects-social-media-sees-worrying-new-danger.html

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/best-kids-tablet/

https://www.statista.com/chart/11651/screen-time-dominates-kids-play/

5 thoughts on “The Infamous iPad Kid

  1. First of all, I really enjoyed this topic personally. This is because once at a gathering of relatives, I was surprised to see my three-year-old cousin watching Youtube on her iPad. And I asked my aunt that she understands the content and watches it? However, the answer was “No”. Whether it’s the advancement of technology or as I get older, I sometimes feel sorry for the children to deal with electronics too early. I think at that age, children should hang out with their friends and develop many important parts such as social skills. However, due to the development of electronic products and the Covid-19, I feel sorry that young children are missing their important time in their lives.

  2. I concur with the above post as it states many truths and cautions surrounding iPads and the limited amount of screen time children should receive. Children are surrounded by technology, and this is expected due to our evolution of technology. Every day we rely on technology to make lives easier and faster, but technology should not be given to a child as a form of distraction or entertainment starting at a young age, especially during the most critical time of brain development.

    The first stages of life are pivotal to a child’s life, and technology should not be a parents-only form of educating their children. There are many negatives surrounding technology and increased isolation and lack of communication skills in children and young adults have stemmed from increased screen time and have become increasingly worrisome. I have first-hand experience how technology changes the demeanor of children’s attitudes that leads to irritable incidents all as a result of screen-time.

    Two children that I babysit become increasingly agitated with me whenever I ask them to put the screen down to do their chores. I have come to realize that they will do the chores, but they will do them efficiently in order to get back to their devices as quickly as they can. The iPad has turned into a reward, and has controlled parts of children’s lives that deplete their attention when they should be appreciating the environment around them instead of being glued to the screen.

    The use of technology and screen time on young children can be beneficial for learning purposes, for they can watch teachers and educational clips to enhance their learning and engagement; however, both children and toddlers should also be encouraged to participate in both structured and free play. Only utilizing an iPad as a child’s form of education or entertainment, according to the National Institutes of Health, indicates that “children who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests” (Dr. Jennifer Cross, 2022).

    Source: https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

  3. When we were young children, this debate had already begun with our exposure to the internet and turning points in technological developments from such a young age. There was extreme concern over how a child’s development would be impacted for the years to come and it has only gotten worse. Kids are now seeking out more “exciting” means of entertainment and disregarding genuine interaction with other people. It is very concerning to see how attached younger generations will be to technology and how that physical attachment will only grow stronger. This will greatly affect human interaction between those raised in that sort of environment. There is going to be a constant need for everything at all times, which is not a sustainable practice to believe in. It’s true, that with the internet it’s almost as if you have the world at your fingertips, and it has helped society today in unfathomable ways, but how much further has that development to go until there is no turning back and relationships are inadmissible.

    Source: https://www.brightontherapypartnership.org.uk/technology-and-attachment/

  4. Ever since a young age, I remember wanting to have children. As I grew up and became more aware of my surroundings and the different ways children are raised, I always cringed at the “iPad Kids”. iPad kids, from my experience, are unmannered, antisocial, unhealthy, and detached from society, all qualities I don’t want my kids to be.

    As you said, technology becomes more and more prominent in our society causing younger generations to grow up around it. It is more harmful than beneficial because social disconnection is something hard to grow out of. If a child is raised with their face in a screen, how will they be able to form relationships or hold conversations? I feel bad for all iPad kids because it’s their parents doing. Their parents should not allow them to live on a screen and make them have social interactions.

    Source: https://www.qustodio.com/en/2020/07/21/technology-child-social-development/#:~:text=Increased%20technology%20use%20has%20the,social%20skills%20development%20in%20toddlers.

  5. I think you bring up a very interesting and rather new issue. As you mentioned in your article we may be the last generation that grew up without a technology based childhood. Kids nowadays are put in front of a screen almost immediately but why? Is it simply easier for the parent to deal with or maybe they’re simply doing it because they see everyone else doing it. Either way we’re still not entirely sure of the side effects kids will face from this over exposure of technology from a young age however many are arguing that the side effects could be rather severe.

    An article by Western Governors University talks about some of the possible consequences including a “lowered attention span, increased risk and lack of privacy, obesity, falling grades, bullying, and social interaction issues” all of which are side effects we can see already, there is no telling what the long term effects may be. With that said ,the article also talks about some of the positive effects which include “helping them learn, classroom tool, preparing for future tech careers, improved multitasking, improved visual-spatial development, improved problem solving and decision making.” There is no doubt that some of those skills may very much come in handy in a child’s future but the question becomes is it worth the risk? Does the possible positive effects outweigh the negative, and if so when should we start exposing young children to technology? Is it really beneficial to place a young child in front of a screen.

    https://www.wgu.edu/blog/impact-technology-kids-today-tomorrow1910.html#close

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