The mother of a young child has found herself face to face with the firing squad of Mumsnet.
The mother, who took to the British forum of motherly advice, explained that she lets her two-year-old daughter use her iPad for hours upon hours every day.
The unnamed woman claims that using the iPad has resulted in her daughter being more advanced at her age when it comes to language and numbers, however, understandably many users were horrified by the claims, saying that the mother is ‘lazy’ and that the high screen time could have very dangerous results.
Anyway, wasting no more time, here’s what the mother posted: “I’m expecting some flames…and I will listen to it. I know it’s not great. But I’m also curious if people have non-judgemental views about iPad use? Our DD is nearly 2.5 and watches A LOT of iPad every day. Hours of it. It’s the go-to for her otherwise very present and engaging and loving and affectionate father.
“But, here’s the thing…I think she’s actually pretty advanced in language and numeracy. She can name all but 3 or 4 letters of the alphabet (which we haven’t actively taught her).
“She knows how to count actual objects, up to about 5 or 6 (we’ve taught her this mostly. But it’s been reinforced by YouTube videos). She knows how to say three colours in Spanish (we’ve not taught her this) She can also now independently type in the first two or three letters of something specific she’s looking for, and choose the correct auto-suggested word from the search list.”
The post concluded: “She gets lots of other activities and time outside, lots of mummy and daddy time and crafts etc. So we’re not awful parents. I don’t think! But interested to hear if we’re still rotting her brain and social abilities, or if she’s getting the pay off from so much learning (and evident enjoyment).”
Users were quick to comment that while it may seem the child is ‘advanced’, healthy brain growth and emotional development is much more important than quick learning when your child is so young.
One person commented: “Oh come on, it’s neither irrational nor sanctimonious to think a toddler should not have hours of screen time every day.”
Another wrote: “You know what the answer is.”
A third added: “Screen does something weird to young children. If mine have than an hour a day they become bad tempered, rude, and over emotional. All of my friends and relatives have noticed the same.”
And one mother went in for the kill writing: “This is absolutely unacceptable. Why would you allow this? Because it keeps her quieter so you have an easier life? I have 2.5 year old too. There’s no way I would even dream of letting her have a tablet yet. Let alone use it for hours every day.”
Wow.
