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Are high resolution screens easier on the eyes than laptop screens?

When is the safe age for a baby to get exposed to mobile/ laptop screens?

  • My 5 month old baby thoroughly enjoys rhymes n cartoon animations on iPad and laptop screens. Whenever she is crying or ill this is become one of the most successful soothing technique to calm her. But is it really safe for me to get her acquainted to all these in such an early age. Is it ok for her tender eyes?

  • Answer:

    The iPad came out recently enough that there is no research on it's effects on children.  As says, the American Association of Pediatrics says that children under two should not be exposed to any screens.  (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/aap-reaffirms-no-screen-time-for-young-children-even-though-few-parents-listen/2011/10/18/gIQAZvpkuL_blog.html ) The reason for this is that there have been NO confirmed benefits, but there have been potential disadvantages.  Your child is growing up what is called a "Digital Native."  They are the first generation that has access to screens that can be held from birth.  There has been some evidence that the fast pace, artificial reality, cuts, "bells and whistles" in movies, tv, and computer games is actually changing the structure of the brain.  (This is an old article, but I've seen it elsewhere.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0) What can be affected by early exposure? Vision - maybe, but unlikely as a child will move back and forth easily enough. Brain Development- It affects the ability to focus, it affects the ability to self entertain and to self soothe.  It also affects the ability to be creative. Hand strength and control - Swiping with a finger does not develop motor control. Sleep - I recently observed a 13 month over a period of several days.  She isn't talking but would demand the ipad and her parents would play a movie.  She appeared to go into a sleep like trance for 35-60 minutes and then become active and uninterested in the movie.  It prompted this question.    I can't even imagine what we might be doing to children if we are changing their sleep patterns with technology that parents "think" is beneficial.

Lynn Wright at Quora Visit the source

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I would be more worried about her cognitive development and the parenting patterns you are building for yourself. On a cognitive level, a child this young is still figuring out the reality of their environment and where they fit in it.  Although screen imagery has not been proven to create any confusion or distortion of this, its still something I'd personally be careful of. A great many experts on child development actually recommend against ANY sort of media like this below the age of 2, and only very limited and controlled access after that. You are also establishing a pattern for her of distracting any issue or problem with visual stimulation which could well be establishing ADD tendencies.  Finally you are establishing a pattern for yourself of substituting a"thing" or distraction for dealing directly with the reasons for her crying, which is a bad parenting habit to get into.  Upset children need their parents on many levels.

Jeff Kesselman

During first 3 months,babies are attracted by the movement of a mobile and it encourages skills such as pattern recognition, eye/hand coordination, gross motor activity, and a sense of object permanence. Choose one that plays music. But keep them out of reach; instead hang the mobile from the ceiling just within your baby's line of sight.

Kate Smith

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