A new study suggests that toddlers are already considered pro in using tablets and smartphones.
Nowadays, preschoolers and toddlers often have their own mobile devices and gadgets. A new United States research shows that these children are more enjoying their gadgets than TVs.
The study was conducted by examining the toddlers and preschoolers in a single urban pediatric clinic in Philadelphia. The survey covers almost 350 households and the researchers clarified that the outcome of the study does not mean that it will be applicable in the entire US.
The result of the study shows some alarming information. According to the survey, almost half of the toddlers in the area were already using mobile devices even before they reached a year old. By the age of two, 75 percent of them already have the said devices.
Those who are aging from 3 to 4 were also found out using mobile devices. The researchers confirmed the alarming result.
"Most 3- and 4-year-olds used devices without help, and one-third engaged in media multitasking. Content delivery applications such as YouTube and Netflix were popular," stated by the researchers.
According to the result of the survey, 70 percent of the parents gave their kids devices when they are doing household chores. 65 percent of the parents provide it to make their children calm, and 29 percent at bedtime. Overall, 96.6 percent of the children surveyed were found to be using mobile devices in which tablet is the favorite gadget.
Furthermore, the study shows that smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices were already replacing the conventional TVs. The survey showed that kids nowadays are spending 45 minutes a day watching TV, 27 minutes watching TV shows on a smartphone, 22 minutes utilizing the apps on a certain mobile device, and 15 minutes for playing a video game on a console.
The researchers noted that children's exposure to TV remains constant while mobile device screen time is continually increasing.
