Throughout history, there has always been an initial societal reluctance in adapting new technology. The fears leading to this reluctance come in a broad spectrum ranging from the coercing of societal changes to the biological effect they may have on humans. Regardless of whether or not this reluctance is rationally or scientifically based, it is something that most new forms of technology go through. Currently, there is great debate regarding the benefits and harms of the use of tablets (ex. iPad) by toddlers (1-3 years old). This essay will examine how the effects of tablet on toddlers can greatly vary according to how they are used. Firstly, it will be outlined how previous studies on the harms of television on toddlers do not relate to
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It should first be made clear that there are many things a toddler can do on a tablet. They can do anything from watch movies to play educational games. When using the tablet to watch movies and shows they would otherwise watch on a television, then previously identified harms of television are applicable. The inability to interact with a television can lead to social impairment, language delay and even obesity 1,2. Studies on this issue is what led the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) to recommend that children younger than 2 years of age have no exposure to screens, and older children to be limited to two hours per day1,3.However, a tablet also offers the ability to play interactive and3 educational games, deeming the APP’s regulations faulty. The reason kids younger than 2 years old do not learn from TV is because they offer no real life interaction, tablets are an interactive media allowing for the response of children’s actions, which therefore may facilitate more retention of knowledge and information4. It is clear that what is known about the harms of television on toddlers may not always apply to tablet used when used …show more content…
This may be due to the fact that tablet technology is always changing. Researchers may not want to focus on a current application or hardware, because they know within the next year, a new update may be released, deeming previous research useless. This is in contrast to research on the effect of television, because as a product and function in todays society, it has remained relatively consistent over a long period of time. Current methods of clinical trials and peer-reviewed journal publications are simply too slow for the fast pace of technology6. It is evident that more research is needed on the effects of tablet use on
It should first be made clear that there are many things a toddler can do on a tablet. They can do anything from watch movies to play educational games. When using the tablet to watch movies and shows they would otherwise watch on a television, then previously identified harms of television are applicable. The inability to interact with a television can lead to social impairment, language delay and even obesity 1,2. Studies on this issue is what led the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) to recommend that children younger than 2 years of age have no exposure to screens, and older children to be limited to two hours per day1,3.However, a tablet also offers the ability to play interactive and3 educational games, deeming the APP’s regulations faulty. The reason kids younger than 2 years old do not learn from TV is because they offer no real life interaction, tablets are an interactive media allowing for the response of children’s actions, which therefore may facilitate more retention of knowledge and information4. It is clear that what is known about the harms of television on toddlers may not always apply to tablet used when used …show more content…
This may be due to the fact that tablet technology is always changing. Researchers may not want to focus on a current application or hardware, because they know within the next year, a new update may be released, deeming previous research useless. This is in contrast to research on the effect of television, because as a product and function in todays society, it has remained relatively consistent over a long period of time. Current methods of clinical trials and peer-reviewed journal publications are simply too slow for the fast pace of technology6. It is evident that more research is needed on the effects of tablet use on