A recent study has found that an increasing number of parents are using tablets and smartphones to deal with their child’s tantrums.
Researchers reportedly found that the more difficult the kid, the more likely the parent is to turn to technology to calm the situation.
They looked at almost 150 children aged 15-36 months and asked parents about the situations in which they give their child a mobile device.
It was found that they were most likely to reach for an iPad or their phone when faced with difficult behaviour. In fact, 70 per cent of parents used such devices to get some peace and quiet.
While the majority of parents were not concerned about their young children using the gadgets, experts say that the distraction could lead to emotional issues in later life.
Paediatrician Professor Jenny Radesky, of Michigan University, said: “We found the less control and more frustration parents felt over their children’s behaviour the more likely they were to turn to mobile devices to help calm their kids down.
“We need to further study whether this relationship between digital technology and social-emotional development difficulties applies to a more general population of parents as well – and what effect it might have on kids’ longer-term outcomes.”
The results were published in the journal, JAMA Pediatrics.
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