SCREEN TIME: ARE WE RAISING A GENERATION OF DIGITAL DEMANDS?

The Tiny Tyrants & Their Tech: Are iPhones Really For Babies?

Now listen, I’ve seen a lot change in my time. Used to be a baby’s best friend was a rattle, a soft blanket, maybe a good, sturdy wooden block. Now? Seems like every stroller I pass has a little one glued to a glowing screen. And the question on everyone’s lips – are babies getting iPhones?

Honestly, it’s a slippery slope. I understand the appeal. A quiet baby is a blessing, especially on a long trip. But let’s think this through. We’re talking about tiny humans, brains still under construction, and handing them the keys to… well, the entire internet.

Some folks will say, “Oh, it’s just a few videos, keeps ‘em occupied!” But it's not just a few videos, is it? These phones are designed to be addictive. They’re built to keep your attention, to pull you in. And a baby? They haven’t developed the impulse control to say “enough is enough.” Before you know it, they’re screaming for the screen the moment it’s taken away. Sounds a bit like raising a miniature dictator, doesn't it?

And what about what they’re seeing? Parental controls are all well and good, but let’s be real, those things aren't foolproof. You can’t scrub the internet clean, and a baby doesn't know the difference between educational content and… well, content that’s decidedly not educational.

I’m an old-fashioned man, I admit. I believe in building character, in learning through experience. A baby needs to learn about the world through touch, through sound, through interaction. Staring at a screen isn’t interaction. It's isolation.

We’re constantly hearing about childhood anxiety and depression rates rising. Are we honestly going to contribute to that by handing our infants devices that are linked to those very issues? A little fresh air, a little playtime, a little human connection – that’s what a baby needs. Not a constant stream of digital stimulation.

Now, I'm not saying technology is all bad. But there’s a time and a place, and frankly, a baby holding an iPhone just doesn’t sit right with me. Let’s let them be babies. Let them explore the world with their hands, their eyes, and their hearts – not with their thumbs. It’s a matter of common sense, and frankly, a little bit of protecting our children’s future.