I spy an iPad kid: Is technology harming children more than it’s helping them?

by Gaby Nieves

Source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:School_children_with_iPads_(6660064659).jpg

Ah, yes, iPad kids. We all know and (for the most part) hate them. Their screens are covered in boogers. They’re not the best communicators. Their tablet screens are often cracked because they’ll throw them across the room at the most minor inconveniences, but they will also throw a temper tantrum if you try to take their device away. They need to have access to either their tablet or one of their parents’ phones at all times: on the couch, in the car, and even in public spaces like restaurants. But why? And more importantly, what can we do about this?

In an increasingly digital age, 2024 is the year that society is constantly trying to find new ways to integrate technology into every aspect of human life. From entertainment and education to wellness and communications, there isn’t much that technology hasn’t managed to leak into. Now that smart devices like the iPhone have been around for almost 20 years, that means that the world’s latest generation of children — Generation Alpha — have only ever known a technology-filled life.

The same could be said for Generation Z children like myself; however, devices like tablets and gaming consoles were not nearly as accessible when I was five years old (in 2008) as they are now. In 2021, “80% of households with children owned tablets.” And the effects of parents giving their young children smart devices in the place of more “old fashioned” modes of play like building blocks and trips to the neighborhood park are beginning to show themselves in the rise of sticky-fingered, snot-nosed “iPad kids.”

There are some positives:

Technology certainly has the ability to benefit children in multiple ways. Having technology in their lives not only allows children easy access to an endless sea of information, but also boosts creativity. A tablet has the ability to be a library, an easel, and a classroom all at the same time.

Technology’s usefulness for young children became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when preschools, daycares, and early learning centers shut down for a prolonged period of time. These children suddenly had to become “independent learners,” but were able to largely because of the YouTube videos, mobile games, and other internet resources that catered to the age groups learning of concepts like spelling, basic math, and social skills.

In addition to the information children can glean from the internet, technology can also provide on-hand social interaction. Free, online multiplayer games — like the very infamous Roblox — allow children to play with their friends even when they’re not in the same room in the real world. From sandbox to cooperative mini-games, platforms like Roblox allow children to explore a world of possibility together.

But it’s not all fun and games:

As the world’s population of iPad kids has continued to grow in recent years, many studies have emerged about the negative effects screen time can have on childhood development. Now, before I get into these negative effects that have ultimately created the iPad-throwing population we know today, it must be noted that the iPad kids are not to blame. Ultimately, the narrative that this generation is living in was not created by the children. There was not a set day when all of these toddlers unanimously decided to forgo tag for tablets. No — the following negative effects were created by adults who saw the distraction created by screens as a suitable substitute for attentive parenting.

Due to these adults’ actions, children who grow up receiving excessive screen time develop a strong reliance or dependence on these technological devices. In turn, growing up with a screen on-hand causes abilities or functions that are typically developed through non-screen related activities not to develop correctly. A study published in the medical science journal Cureus puts it best:

“Screens can improve education and learning; however, too much time spent in front of a screen and multitasking with other media has been related to worse executive functioning and academic performance. As screen time reduces the amount and quality of interactions between children and their caregivers, it can also have an impact on language development. Contextual elements like co-viewing and topic appropriateness are key in determining how language development is impacted. Additionally, excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth, including a rise in the likelihood of obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. It can obstruct the ability to interpret emotions, fuel aggressive conduct, and harm one's psychological health in general.”

To put it short, the bad effects of early exposure and dependence on technology heavily outweigh the good. And this can be said from more than just a cognitive development or overall health perspective.

There’s good, bad, and ugly:

Going back to how having a limitless source of knowledge and socialization can be good for children to expand their horizons, it’s important to remember that not all horizons are rated E for Everyone. The internet is a dangerous place, and exposure to harmful or inappropriate content can realistically happen anywhere that allows ad space. Parent controls can only do so much to protect children who are otherwise using digital technology unsupervised — and the truth is, kids can be much craftier 

Besides accidental exposure that can occur, there are also very real, very dangerous people who lurk in online spaces that are popular among children. That’s right, Roblox, I’m looking at you. Role-playing games and open chats are especially prevalent breeding grounds for predators to attempt grooming and even in-game assault. Of course, any and all instances of predatory behavior should be reported (either in-game or to the police) immediately, but young, unsupervised children aren’t always capable of understanding what is happening to them. This shouldn’t be happening in the first place, but it does. (Have I mentioned the word “unsupervised” yet?)

Can the positives ever outweigh the negatives?

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenleewrites/4770359099

In their current state, iPad kids are not better off for being the “digital natives” that they are. There is too much risk — across childhood development, safety, and mental and physical health — for too little reward (although the positives can’t be completely ignored).

Early access to all of the potential technology stores can be an excellent tool for the future of society. Ultimately, children are our future leaders, innovations, educators, and more. But as long as “iPad kids” are looked down on by “normal kids” for their lack of genuine interactions with the adults and other children around them, I’m afraid of how the world will treat these children who need to bring tablets to restaurants to eat dinner when they grow up.