When given her Minnie Mouse plushie, Sofia Eusse threw it aside so she would be able to use the computer that her father was using. Sofia, a 7 month-old baby, chose a gadget over the world’s favorite female mouse.
In the small town of Juan de Acosta, Colombia, the children put tablets on their Christmas lists. Even when “el pueblo” doesn’t have water for people to take showers or flush the toilet, the kids are still asking for electronics. They don’t need water when they have their notebooks.
“I love my tablet! I take it with me everywhere,” said Alanis Coronell, a 4-year-old Juan de Acosta native.
Parents have turned to giving their children these electronics to distract them and keep them calm for a few minutes. As a result, the kids get used to it and are always asking for them. This could lead to parents getting their kids their own devices so they don’t bother them. Children also see their friends with a tablet so they want one, too.
Recently, Common Sense Media did a study that showed that 38% of children under the age of 2 use mobile media; since 2011, that percentage rose 28%. Another report says 2 in 5 children have used a mobile device before they were able to speak a complete sentence.
There are so many different apps being made for children that provide a learning experience, but the kids also enjoy the games. Many kids that are used to the devices know how to access YouTube and look for videos of their favorite characters.
As the years go by, technology is reaching a younger and younger audience. What we see today was unheard of just 10 years ago. Soon enough, it will be babies under a year old all over tablets and smart phones. Children are going to want devices earlier and earlier.
