the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

01/08/2013

Parents Turn To 'Electronic Babysitters'

New research has found that more mums and dads are turning to iPads and tablet computers as 'electronic babysitters' for their children.

The report from Ofcom, which looked at how we communicate, found that children as young as give are using a tablet computer to do their homework, play games or watch a film.

Of those surveyed, 91% of families who owned one admitted their child either used it, or had one of their own. A further 50% said their child uses a tablet every day, while 17% claimed their children used it several times a day.

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The study questioned 3,700 residents in the UK and it was discovered that while 41% of households have cut back to just one television set, an increasing number are choosing to watch programmes on tablets. So, while families are spending time together in the living or front room, they are watching different content on different devices.

However, clinical psychologist Linda Blair has warned that missing out on the shared experience of programme watching could have a negative impact on families.

Dr Blair explained: "There is so much more loneliness these days because we're missing out on physical contact with others and this is just another example.

"The move away from the shared message, so that you have something to talk about afterwards, is an obvious flaw if you have a family all watching different things and my worry is that this will lead to the ignoring of the people who really matter."

(JP/CD)

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"New research has found that more mums and dads are turning to iPads and tablet computers as 'electronic babysitters' for their children."