iPads for kids - learning tools or lazy parenting?

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Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:42p.m.

A girl views a new iPad tablet computer at an Apple store during its UK launch in central London (Reuters)

A girl views a new iPad tablet computer at an Apple store during its UK launch in central London (Reuters)

Children as young as two are using iPhones and iPads to access thousands of education apps.

But debate is raging about whether they provide real benefits or are simply a free babysitting device for busy parents.

Channel 7's Anastasia Salamastrakis reports.

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Comments

21 Sep 2011 10:44p.m.

Jason D wrote:

How is it lazy parenting? That's silly. It would be lazy parenting if you were replacing your child's educational outlets/options with the iPad, maybe, but as a supplement to their education it's a fantastic tool. My 2 year old son is playing with a new app on our ipad called "Push and Learn" (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/push-and-learn/id447155719?mt=8) which looks and feels like a mechanical toy. It has a whole lot of buttons with colored pictures of animals and musical instruments and things like that, and then says the name of them when he pushes it. He's just starting to learn new words and this thing engages him like nothing else we have. He's learned about 3 new words in a week from it. This is bad... how?

16 Sep 2011 01:38p.m.

Mia wrote:

Wish my parents would buy me an ipad

16 Sep 2011 09:13a.m.

Simon wrote:

We totally let our two year old play with our Ipad... He loves it, there's matching games, number games, interactive books... all sorts.. A lot for free too! It was a BIG reason for us to get one. BUT we sit with him as well, we are very much a part of the learning still.

16 Sep 2011 08:15a.m.

Nick wrote:

Apparently Peter's parents should have invested in some how to finish a work applications.

15 Sep 2011 11:34p.m.

Peter wrote:

Apparently Dale's parents should have had invested in some grammar apps

15 Sep 2011 12:28p.m.

Dale wrote:

Yes it is LAZY PARENTING!!! The parents doing this a just bad parents there is no sugar coating on that. You go to school to lern!

15 Sep 2011 09:17a.m.

Nick wrote:

Busy parents, ipads are expensive, time is money