How soon should you expose your toddler to technology?

When Migs was born, our lactation consultant and pediatrician advised us to minimise exposure of iPads and iPhones and TVs , as over exposure may impede his development. Elisabeth (the consultant), cited her own experience with her 2 kids, the first, exposed to tech at an early age and was slightly slower in his speech and social development. Her second was not exposed to tech until she turned three and developed at a faster rate.

Now, it’s hard to figure at this stage if a child’s development is stunted by early exposure to tech, there are both positive and negative publications, research and it’s really entirely up to the parents to make that call.

Raising a child today is different from even a decade ago, and there is no Gen Y parenting for dummies and whilst we can refer to our parents for parental advise, mind you, times have changed and the parental challenges that my generation face now is different. Advancement of technology is constantly changing and evolving and it’s up to the parents to make that call.

I did a quick google search on relevant articles and here are the results:

1. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/01/toddler-brains-research-smartphones-damage-social-development
2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/02/using-an-ipad-or-smartphone-can-harm-a-toddlers-brain-researchers-says
3. http://www.medicaldaily.com/toddlers-and-technology-american-academy-pediatrics-weighs-pros-and-cons-its-use-determine-306839
4. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/958.full

Here’s a quick takeaway from the articles:

THE PROS

1. Tech, when used properly, does have its benefits, especially the educational and learning applications. The same argument was put forth many years ago on the effect of the then emergence of television’s influence on toddlers.
2. Don’t deny a child access to the digital world, instead, guide and limit their usage.

THE CONS

1. Using a smartphone or iPad to pacify a toddler may impede their ability to learn self-regulation, interfere with the child’s growing sense of empathy , problem solving skills and self-regulation
2. Usage is harmful to their social emotional development

I’ve to admit, that I too am guilty of handing him the iPad or phone when we’re out or at home to distract him (makes me wonder how my parents did it?) Migs has taken the iPad like duck to water, and within a couple of months, is now able to navigate through the apps proper but it soon became obvious that Migs became too attached to the iPad. He’ll be oblivious to his surroundings when he plays with the iPad, and is constantly in a trance like state. His attention span is anywhere between 2 seconds to 20 seconds and he never focuses on one video at any one time.

It’s a boon (at times) to rely on the portable babysitter but at what cost?

This morning, Migs threw a mega tantrum because I refused to give in to his demands to play with the iPad before breakfast. He cried and screamed for a good 20 minutes, I brought him out of the house to try to calm him, he continued crying, I tried everything BUT the iPad to try to calm but he refused to stop. I too refused to give him the iPad and of course, this time around, Bapak knows best. He did stop, eventually. Normally, he would be fine after a minute or so after we distract him with a crayon or take him outside the house but this morning was different.

I knew that spelt trouble and its time to take charge.

I know that I can’t completely deny him the iPad as the reality is that technology is a big part of our lives, but I will try to limit him the usage, but neither as a reward for good behaviour nor to distract him. As a parent too, it is important that I too must exhibit certain behaviours in front of him, I can’t limit him the use of iPads whilst I am engrossed with my phone, it won’t make sense to him. Therefore, it is vital I give him my full attention and to set an example for him that I only use the iPhone and iPad when I need it, instead of making it into a habit.

I’ve read many articles online highlighting that kids become more attentive, social and creative when you take away their iPad, phone or video games . As much as the iPad is seen as a blessing to distract toddlers and kids, I would rather my children stimulate their minds by being involved in life activities, develop their creativity by ransacking the sofas and building castles and forts from pillows and most importantly, respond when I call out their names.