According to a recent survey report, two out of every five toddlers who can’t even speak in full sentences know how to use a tablet or smartphone.
Common Sense Media, a family advocacy organization, recently conducted a survey in which it was found that 38% of children under 2 years of age have used a mobile device – either a tablet or a smart phone – for watching videos, playing games or for other media-related purposes. Only 10% of toddlers were found using mobile devices in 2011.
The San Francisco-based child advocacy group’s also states that seven out of every 10 children under 8 years of age have used a mobile device. The young children are found to be spending about 15 minutes daily which is triple the time children used to spend in 2011, with playing games, using educational apps and watching videos.
The study revealed the fact that children are spending more time using mobile-device as compared to other mediums. Percentage of children under 2 found viewing Television remains the same 66% in both 2011 and 2013. Computer viewership increased from 4% to 10% over the two years, while DVD viewership declined to 46% in 2013 from 52% in 2011.
Looking at the gradually increasing use of mobile devices by young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has advised parents to limit the time their children spends in front of screens as more media exposure might result in attention problems and obesity.
Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media’s founder and CEO, in an interview with Mashable said “This is the true sign that the digital generation has arrived”.
“We’re seeing a fundamental change in the way kids consume media,” and “Kids that can’t even talk will walk up to a TV screen and try to swipe it like an iPad or an iPhone”, he added.
