Generation iPad: Could Device Hurt Toddlers' Development?

Summary

The report examines how tablets and smartphones affect young children. Research is still developing, and the effects depend partly on how devices are used.

Parents often value screens as a way to occupy children, especially while waiting at a restaurant. One survey cited in the report found that 70% of parents had let their children use these devices.

Potential concerns include reduced attention, effects on social or language development, and children becoming reliant on screens to settle down. The report notes an association between screen use and later behavioral problems, while also saying studies have not found that extensive screen viewing necessarily harms eyesight.

Family device-free trial

One family tried going without devices for a month. The children turned to traditional toys and imaginative play, though the reporter observed more conflict between them. One child discovered she had time for a craft. When the devices were returned, the children resumed using them.

Observation at Barnard University

Researchers at Barnard University’s toddler center observed children aged 3–5 using iPads while adults called their names. They then took the tablets away and watched the children play with conventional toys. The report describes the children as becoming more verbal, social, and creative after the screens were removed. The observation focused on how readily children responded to people around them.

Self-regulation and different kinds of screen use

The report highlights self-regulation as a key issue. Child-development specialist Tova Klein argues that when a screen is regularly used to stop a tantrum, children may have fewer chances to learn to manage frustration themselves.

Not all screen use is the same. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages passive screen time for children under two. In contrast, research discussed in the report suggests toddlers may learn better from interactive media than from passive viewing.

Parental involvement can also make apps more educational. Rosemary Truglio, who works on Sesame Street-related educational content, says adults can extend children’s learning by engaging with them. Even entertainment games such as Angry Birds can prompt discussion of concepts like angles, force, and physics.

Overall guidance

The report’s overall message is moderation and attention to the child. It does not advocate banning devices, but cautions against letting screen use crowd out social interaction, outdoor activity, playdates, or other forms of play. Parents should set limits and notice whether their child remains engaged with people and activities beyond the device.

Speakers and sources featured

• Juju Chang, ABC News reporter and narrator.
• A New Jersey family, including children Devin, Delaney, and Dalton, who took part in the device-free trial.
• Tova Klein, a specialist in toddler social and emotional development.
• Rosemary Truglio, discussing educational apps and Sesame Street-related content.
• Researchers and children at Barnard University’s toddler center, in an observation of screen use and traditional play.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, cited for its guidance on passive screen time for children under two.
• Unnamed surveys and studies, including the parent-use survey and research on screens, behavior, eyesight, and interactive-media learning.