By Sanjita Tumu ‘27, Commentary Staff Writer

A picture of iPads, specifically the iPad Air generations. (Credits to Apple)

Technology is incorporated into our daily lives in many ways whether through smartphones, handheld tablets, gaming devices, or smart watches. Mobile technology has crept into our lives and held us captive; we are constantly glued to our phones and struggle to go a day without using them. Thanks to the invention of the first smartphone, technology has become more accessible and numerous activities have been digitized. According to the World Economic Forum, less than a million active users on social media in 2004 grew to more than two billion active users in 2018. In addition to smartphones, handheld tablets are also popular. Tablets have evolved along with other forms of advanced technology, from the first tablet to the current Apple iPad. Since technology is intertwined in our lives, it has benefited our lives in many ways; because of technology it makes it easier for us to look at the weather or track our health. Technology has changed our lives in many good, and bad, ways. As much good has technology done, there also  has been a dramatic increase as of lately: younger children are experiencing the negative side effects of technology.  

The iPad, first released in April 2010, is very popular with young children. According to a census by the US government, households with children own iPads are 21% more likely to own an iPad than households that do not have children. Even though children typically use iPads, there is a difference between the children who used iPads when they first came out and children who are currently using iPads. This difference can be attributed to the varied types of content that the two groups absorbed.

However, the distinguishing factor between the early iPad children and the current iPad children is the content that they are being influenced by. iPad children of the 2010s could be seen watching their favorite TV shows like Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol, or PBS shows like Wild Krats and Odd Squad. However, current iPad children use TikTok, watching videos about makeup, skincare, and gaming. This content is above their age group, and is typically introduced to children when they become teenagers. But since these children are watching mature content, they tend to have interests that are similar to teens. This content could affect them because the young children are losing out on childhood aspects and growing up to have the same interests and same maturity as teenagers.

Another aspect that differentiates the two groups is how they behave in society. An early iPad child, or gen z, is most likely a current-day teen. In an article on Linkedin, Gen Z is described to be well behaved. However, the current iPad children are unable to focus. Since they were raised when the pandemic was happening and everything was online, now, they are unable to focus on something unless it is on a screen. Due to more relaxed parenting styles, these children have unlimited access to the internet and the web also affects them in other ways. Teachers are coming onto social media, saying that the current generation of children are unable to read or write, and unable to socialize well. These deficiencies are because the children are always looking at a screen and are having violent outbursts when the iPad is taken away from them. The teachers also mention how they often get disrespected by the current-day iPad children. For example, a dance teacher on TikTok named Angela complained about her young students. She teaches five year olds and talks about how students in her class often throw things at each other. 

iPads have come a long way since they were released. There is a lot of educational content that’s available in various apps that, if used thoughtfully and intentionally, can promote creativity and innovation. It all depends on how parents and educators guide children to use iPads. The downside of iPad use is that young children, who are constantly in front of screens, always require technological stimulation and may end up lacking communication and social skills. The use of an iPad could end up being good or bad, depending on how the child uses it.  So far, iPads have helped us in a positive manner. But now we may be seeing how iPads negatively affect children.