iPad Baby Seat: Bad Parenting or Sign of the Times?

ABC ^ | 12/6/2013 | GENEVIEVE SHAW BROWN

[markomalley]

It's likely you've seen a child that's too young to speak in complete sentences operating his mom's iPhone better than, well, his mom.

But what about a product that's geared specifically toward babies -- like an infant seat -- that comes with a iPad holder?

The Newborn-to-Toddler Apptivity Seat by Fisher Price is just that. It features, in addition to the iPad holder, bat-at toys on the removable bar and a mirror that reflects the baby's image when the iPad is removed. But it's that iPad holder feature that's got moms up in arms.

[montanajoe]

This is something I tell her over and over..its someone else’s art, writing whatever,,

I make sure she spends much more time drawing, playing, whatever..than she ever does on the computer.

Whatever works for your kid is the only thing that is important.

Parents have to parent as you obviously understand..

[saganite]

With an E Trader.

[papertyger]

Shouldn’t a baby be interacting with those around him in the real world, or is the computer screen now the real world.

My five-year-old has had her own IPod Touch since she was two...because that's the world she's growing up in.

I love all this speculative warning some are pulling out of their poop chutes. (Fine motor skills from kids who drink from sippy cups and "color" by scribbling all over the page in crayon: please.)

I can hear the predictions of doom coming from those warning against paper books because it stunts stone carving skills.

[AngieGal]

Have you seen the ipotty?

http://www.amazon.com/CTA-Digital-iPotty-Activity-Seat/dp/B00B3G8UGQ

[AngieGal]

[papertyger]

Is there such thing as a “deal” for an Ipad mini?

Check our "Refurbished" units at the Apple online store. Full warranty. Perfect condition. Less money.

Keep your eyes open cause the supply ebbs and flows in and out constantly.

[papertyger]

Not as preposterous as one might think!

Mine fought proper tooth brushing technique like a tiger...then we got an app that gets the kid to brush a character’s teeth until all the crud is removed.

Something obviously “clicked.”

[ToastedHead]

My 6 year old Future Freeper told me tonight she wanted to see some cat GIFs. She says “gifts”.

She wants a job because I told her thats the only way she gets an i-thing. Wonder what the unemployment rate is now for the 5-10 age group.

[Flick Lives]

More than that, though: a kid (infant) who doesn't interact with PEOPLE will grow up seriously disturbed. Remember the experiments of Harry Harlow. No iPad can take the place of Mommy or Daddy, even if it's wrapped in warm terrycloth.

Excellent analogy. I forgot about the Harlow wire/cloth monkey experiments.

[Nifster]

yes indeed…. learning is very tactile. Still remember when my cutie was at Granma’s house and she got to finger paint for the first time…..with CHOCOLATE PUDDING. My mom never let me do that ;(.

Children need human interaction and stimulation from all sorts of things. They do NOT need the ‘electronic’ babysitter. There is plenty of time later for that.

[Conservative4Ever]

Just getting the kiddies ready for when we all sit in front of the big brother indoctrination screens....or not.