How young is too young to start letting kids play with a tablet?

T.J. said:

I would not let them use Youtube. Look into it if you think that the kid's area of Youtube is a safe place for children.

It seems that tablets are the new pacifiers. It's been too long for me to have a valid opinion on how young is too young. I wonder how the internet/tablets/smartphones are changing our brains and how we think and interact.

100% don't trust YouTube or it's YouTube Kids port. Both are terrible for kids. Little control of the shows or ads that pop up. I fell into that trap based on a family member vouching for it. Next thing I know my kids is watching a show focused on Minecraft men characters buying Minecraft women characters based on how sexy their lingerie is. A R R G H! 

Pretty good interview today on NPR  on this subject:

http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2017/12/03/smartphones-kids-wait

(The audio wasn't available when I posted this- standby)

The bottom line, the recommendation is no smart devices before 8th grade. 

That's older than most of us feel good about, but the interviewees made their case very well. 

The more I read about it, the less I want to pick up my own phone.

Smartphone addiction is, like, a real thing.

Other studies have shown a clear link between screen time behavior and gambling-type addiction.  Since states regulate gambling to 18 and over, I'd say that.  At least.  

In reply to SVreX :

Considering they're using them in school long before that. That age is a pipe dream.

In reply to Mr. Lee :

Note the distinction- smart devices. That's things that can text, use apps, and rather freely use the internet. School issued devices usually can't do those things (they have a lot of capabilities limited)  

The issue is the addictive nature of the instant gratification offered by smart devices and how it is potentially effecting brain development in children. 

In reply to SVreX :

Good Point

SVreX said:

In reply to Mr. Lee :

Note the distinction- smart devices. That's things that can text, use apps, and rather freely use the internet. School issued devices usually can't do those things (they have a lot of capabilities limited)  

The issue is the addictive nature of the instant gratification offered by smart devices and how it is potentially effecting brain development in children. 

Exactly.  Just like gambling.  I would like your post, but I have decided to boycott any "like" function from now on as my small protest against such things.  

volvoclearinghouse said:

The more I read about it, the less I want to pick up my own phone.

Smartphone addiction is, like, a real thing.

Other studies have shown a clear link between screen time behavior and gambling-type addiction.  Since states regulate gambling to 18 and over, I'd say that.  At least.  

That's an excellent article.