(Photo source: http://www.muzecollective.com/kids-and-technology/)
There probably was once a time in your life that your child won't stop whining and surprisingly only the iPad worked as a cure, so we continued to let these digital babysitters do the job of keeping our kids entertained.
Just as much as the iPad and Android devices helped you keep your kid busy, it also leaves negative effects. Whether it's for keeping baby busy or it's really just his addiction, here are some reasons why you shouldn't hire the digital babysitter:
1. It interferes with brain development
While some apps are helpful, it still might not be the best time to hand over that iPad. The brain grows fastest the first three years of our life, and having too much screen time blocks off the development (including social skills).
2. They're young, and wild, and what?
Definitely not free. As your kids get trapped into this kind of touchscreen lifestyle and as this becomes a part of their everyday routine, they'll think it's a need. Dr. Richard Grahams said that young technology addicts experienced the same withdrawal symptoms as alcoholics or heroin addicts, when the devices were taken away. Yikes!
3. They sometimes turn into zombies
And they're not even ready to go outside the lawn. Don't turn them into zombies. Kids aren't paying attention? They're having a flow experience. It means they're concentrating too much on an activity that they zone out.
4. The world isn't touchscreen
While some apps teach kids to build blocks on screen, they forget that it is another thing to actually learn how to build blocks with actual 3-dimensional objects. The world isn't a touch and drag device, and there's no app for kids to actually learn how to get things done.
5. It might be worse than your coffee
It keeps them awake, and kids need a lot of sleep. Especially babies! You don't want them to stay up all night because of tablets and other devices.
6. They might go Wall-E
Remember the characters from the movie Wall-E? They depend too much on technology and adapt to a more sedentary lifestyle leading them to outgrow their own chairs. Well, fat or not, we don't want to be over-dependent.
7. Not so social anymore
Even if there's Facebook and Twitter to keep your kid in touch with his friends, personal communication is always the best way to interact with people. And should I repeat with them turning into zombies?
8. Personality problems
Kids who are obsessed and indulged with gadgets tend to seek for more attention when they grow up. Thus, they use social media for fame hoping they'll get noticed.
9. Nothing else will entertain them
If they get too attached with that iPad, nothing else in the real world will entertain them.
So don't hire the digital babysitter to give her a full time job taking care of your child. Remember to teach your kids their limits when using devices. Few tips: have tasks for your kids to do (finish homework, clean room, etc.) and use the iPad as part of your reward system, look for other fun activities your child might like, or set a timer so whenever your kid hears it he'll know screen time is over.
It's true that there are apps that help us and our child especially with things that need research, but it's always best to teach them the right amount of screen time and letting them go out and interact with real people and non-virtual things.
