The term “iPad kid” has originated from various social media platforms. These kids are known for being messy and fussy when it comes to taking a break from their device. This term is used as a social media meme, by interpreting these kids’ overuse of iPad and social media, but there’s more to it than just that. Have you ever seen a sibling or a toddler staring at a device with their face pressed up so close to that screen that it almost seems the only thing that exists to them is that device? According to the 2020 Pew Research Center , 48% of parents that have a child under 5 say that their child owns their own device, and 80% of parents with kids 8 to 11 years old. The use of technology on kids has an effect on child development and can cause many behavioral issues for our future generations.

An anonymous teacher at Tahoma High School says that, “the media is unnatural and intense for sensory, cognitive, and psychological input. They are designed to keep the user engaged. This tends to overstimulate the nervous system.” Young children that are exposed to screens cause many developmental and behavioral issues because their brains are still growing and are sensitive to media, according to Jenny S. She expresses how potential negative effects of screen media on child health have been the subject of study for the past 30 years, focusing on the areas of child development, aggressive behavior, obesity, and sleep. But why is technology affecting them? The media can directly affect brain development through exposure, because it decreases the child’s desire to learn things through reading a book or paying attention to a teacher and most teachers choose to make kids learn off of a computer screen. 

Do you ever notice how children don’t have any desire to learn things and be productive and would rather spend the whole day on their tablet or device? These choices can affect the physical health of anyone, making a child have no motivation to go outside and play or get out of bed because they’re so addicted to watching a video or scrolling endlessly on social media. What’s so bad about being lazy? It can easily lead to obesity problems. The National Library of Medicine reviews how reduced sleep, physical inactivity, and exposure to excessive advertisements in various media have a detrimental impact on the dietary habits of the younger generation, relating to media consumption and obesity. 

An anonymous parent has stated that they feel as if “they are a better parent because their child is an ipad kid.” Wrong! I disagree because raising an “iPad kid” may be easy for the parents, but in the long run, it has a huge downfall on this kid’s future, and it affects more people than you would think. By raising an “iPad kid”, that’s also teaching bad habits and these kids don’t know common sense. The majority of these kids have not only attachment issues with their screens but also delayed language skills, potential mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, decreased social interaction, and potential for attention issues.

Another reason “iPad kids” aren’t good to raise is because of everything portrayed on social media nowadays. There are so many inappropriate things on the internet that children can easily access, which can also put an unrealistic image in their mind, and it can raise these kids into thinking that some edited photos are real. Social media put a certain image in these kids’ minds that can completely change their way of thinking. For example, a child can be exposed to inappropriate behavior which can lead to thinking this action is acceptable to do, and it raises these kids wrong. This will teach the child bad habits and influence them to go down the wrong path.

On social media, there are many advertisements for addictive substances which are purposely for younger kids, since they are so curious, and it’s easier to manipulate them when they’re younger. Social media is also one of the most negative spaces you can be, since everyone hides behind a screen, they feel as if they can say whatever they want since they can’t be caught, which also creates an image in kids’ heads that they can be disrespectful and rude. They think that if they haven’t been caught online, then they won’t be caught in person. This is why children shouldn’t be exposed to the internet and social media at age 13 and under.