The Rise of iPad Kids
Yes, it is alarming
I finally got some time off my busy schedule this weekend and decided to pay a visit to my cousin in Mumbai. Both my cousin and her husband are employees in the city, hustling and bustling in the corporate world. Their lives are like a scene from a fast-paced movie.
As I walked into their apartment, my sister, with her fast-paced walk, and her husband, seemingly always on a conference call, welcomed me with smiles that hinted at the fatigue hiding beneath. My nephew came running to show me his new game on his iPad he received from his father as a gift last year.
After some rest, we planned to make the most of our weekend, with India Gate and Colaba on our agenda. We walked and talked, almost like the old days. We did have fun. But there’s one thing. It kept on bothering me. Even as I write this blog.
My nephew.
He was fixated on the screen of his iPad. It has become his entire world. Now, I’m no stranger to technology, but seeing a child glued to a screen during a family outing and dinner got me thinking. It made me wonder whether this screen-centric phenomenon was a nationwide issue, something beyond just my cousin’s household. My sister seemed content that the child wasn’t nagging or disturbing them. She appeared to be almost relieved.
Recently, the CBSE board official made a statement that hit home –
Kids today are spending more time on screens than they are playing.
Back at my cousin’s place, we had breakfast and lunch at home itself to relax. I observed that both parents were caught in the whirlwind of their own lives, barely finding a moment to breathe, let alone engage in playtime with their child. Their discussions revolved around corporate strategies and office dynamics, leaving little room for the simple joys of parenthood.
And all I could think of was my nephew.
He has become an iPad Kid.
Many experts recognize that the phenomenon of “iPad kids” is a consequence of evolving social structures. Unfortunately, the iPad has become a quick solution to temper tantrums that millions of millennial parents grapple with after their hectic 9–5 schedules. It’s a challenging Catch-22 situation that millennial parents confront daily. While everyone agrees that a calm child is preferable to a cranky one, the issue arises when the screen transforms from a pacifier into a more pervasive problem.
And on a more serious note, there’s a crucial aspect to consider as well. Generation Alpha, encompassing those born between 2010 and 2024, is entirely defined and immersed in the digital world. My nephew for instance is 10 years old. While I was just getting my first punch phone, today’s 10-year-olds are practically a different species — born into a world of constant online sharing, advanced technology, and a level of awareness that exceeds our own.
Playtime isn’t just about goofing around; it’s the foundation of a child’s development – motor skills, social interactions, problem-solving, you name it. With kids increasingly glued to screens, the repercussions on their mental and physical health are becoming more apparent.
Technology has become an integral part of our lives. There’s no escaping the digital world we live in. However, unlike adults, children lack control over their physical and emotional development. These aspects are significantly influenced by their surroundings and the stimuli they encounter.
The key solution in these times dominated by screens is moderation.
This brings me to a question for my reader. As parents, what is your stance on this issue? Do you believe it’s the right decision to limit screen time or not? And if so, why?
