Several gadget makers, that are well aware of the popularity of tablets among kids, have introduced tablets that are specifically made for children. Vtech, Toys R Us and Leapfrog offer a slew of kiddie tablets hat parents can choose from for their babies and toddlers, but the growing popularity of the device has raised concern among pediatricians.
According to Dr. Rahil Briggs, a pediatric psychologist at New York's Montefiore Medical Center, too much tablet use can slow social development among older children. Briggs says that the solitary nature of the activity means that the kids are not spending time to learn how to make friends of pick up on social cues. She also says that tablet usage should be limited for the youngest of children since too much screen time can slow down language development.
Some experts, however, see some benefit in tablet use. Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital, says that educational games and apps may provide some value if they engage a child and prompt the child to interact with the device. Christakis, however, advises parents to be mindful of whether tablet time is replacing more important activities such as sleeping, reading or interacting with adults.
''The single most important thing for children is time with parents and caregivers,'' he says. "Nothing is more important in terms of social development. If time with the tablet comes at the expense of that, that's not good.''
While the American Academy of Pediatrics approves of at least two hours of screen time a day for kids over the age of two, Christakis also believes that one hour is plenty.
Susan Linn, director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, on the other hand, advises parents to be wary of any TV show or app that touts educational benefits for babies or toddlers because scientists still have to prove if there are any.
''Babies and young children are spending huge amounts of time with screen media when really what they need is hands-on creative play, active time and face-to-face time with the people that love them," Linn says.
