iPads May Be More Beneficial Than Reading Books

Yes, that’s right! When kids first started using iPads and other shiny screens, there wasn’t really any data about what exactly that meant – just general anxiety that a screen was worse than, well, anything that’s “not a screen.” Now, a study recently published in the journal Developmental Psychology had enough data from years of tablets existing to study their effects on kids – and it found that iPad interaction can actually be better than reading a real-world book.

That means kids reading on an iPad tested better for memory and comprehension compared to reading text on a page. The answer, which shouldn’t surprise any parents out there, is all about interactivity. Absorbing information on an iPad involves animations, buttons, colors, and graphics. It appeals to more senses while giving children more to do. As a result, kids are more engaged and remember more about what they read. Think of it like an endless picture book that can become anything you want it to be. Not a bad perspective, is it?

Parents Are Worrying Too Much

There’s
another study from the University College of London and the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health across the pond on the parents of children
under 18, and how screen use affects these kids. The study came with two
important takeaways.

There’s no sign of causation with any particular problem. Yes, issues like obesity and depression are increasing. Yes, screen time is increasing. There’s no demonstrable relationship between the two, no matter what the scary headlines say. Parents (and politicians) shouldn’t try to link the two things together unless future evidence shows a real connection. 

Parents themselves are worrying too much about screen time. Mobile devices can be a great way to “explore the world” as the study co-author put it, and communicate with people you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. Parents, on the other hand, are worrying a lot about children using devices – but they can’t narrow down why, exactly, and there’s no reasonable cause for that worry anyway. The study suggests that societal pressures are put on parents to make them feel like this kind of screen time is somehow bad as a way to shame, scapegoat, or control them. So parents, relax! It’s fine. Don’t fall for the worry trap. Set some basic rules, and don’t stress out.

Giving Your Kid Their Own Tablet Is Common, Too

A PCMag study surveyed 1,000 parents to get an idea of when kids are getting their own devices. It turns out that parents are a lot more lenient about getting kids a tablet device like an iPad rather than a smartphone. 27% say they would give their kids a tablet between the ages of 9 and 11, followed closely by 26% who thought that ages 6 to 8 were fine for a tablet. Just make sure the right parental controls are on the device first.

Worried About Your Youngest Kids? Here’s What Experts Say

What about toddlers and tikes? Can you safely put an iPad in their lap, too? The World Health Organization has updated its recommendations on this. For a kid who’s just a couple of years old, keep direct screen time down to around one hour a day. Active play and discovery are very important at this age, and screens can inhibit this.

For kids 3 to 4 years old, there’s a little more leniency, but the WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics still advise to keep use of devices like iPads down to an hour or so a day. They also remind parents that sleep needs to be the priority, followed by physical exercise. Don’t let screen time interfere with that.

Screen Time at Mealtime Is a Bad Idea

Put away the iPad
when you’re eating with your kids. Mealtime interaction with family is
associated with all kinds of healthy development indicators – it’s not usually
the food itself, but the quality time spent with loved ones. Make sure the
screens are away during times like these, not only for family dinner but for most
family playtimes or interaction.