Does your iPhone double as a baby sitter?
Yesterday, Game Guy was running errands and saw a toddler in a stroller playing with an iPhone.
He wasn’t making calls, near as Game Guy could tell, just tapping his little fingers all over the touch screen while mom was nearby distracted by something else. Later in the day, he saw another child, somewhat older, punching buttons on a BlackBerry. No accompanying parent was apparent.
These are just two examples, but it seems more children — small ones, at that — are toting smart phones. Game Guy sees this more often, and he’s not the only one. Presumably because the plain old cheapo cell phones that connected to just mom or dad and gave parents peace of mind no longer are good enough — they don’t have texting capability, gaming apps or other distractions.
Yes, Game Guy calls them “distractions” because maybe it’s not peace of mind that smart phones bring, but peace, as the kids quietly tap away instead of make noise at play, roaming no further than the nearest wi-fi node. They lead virtual lives with their virtual friends. Some would say they’re virtually disengaged from the world as a result.
And what are they doing with those devices? Well, they’re texting and Tweeting and Facebooking, but they’re also playing with apps — tens of thousands of apps available for iPhone alone through the iTunes App Store. Of that inventory, almost 20 percent are games, which is plenty to keep any kid busy for a while. And starting Wednesday, you can watch whole major-league baseball games streamed through your iPhone.
So, do you let your progeny play with an iPhone or other such mobile device? And if so, do you think it has it replaced the TV or PC as America’s newest tech-oriented yet toteable baby sitter?
I’m in love with my iPhone and yes, I’ve shared it (with held breath) with my child on occasion. There are preschool apps available and I’ve downloaded 2 for free. As a reward and in order to distract him, I’ll let him have my phone. I’ve never offered it and usually it’s him asking for it, but is a way for me to focus on a task or an item for a moment or two. The apps have impressed me and he’s already learned several of his letters and numbers just from using the Toddler Teaser one. Within a couple of moments, under five at least, I’m handed the phone back with a “thank you” with it. He’s happy, I’m happy to have my phone back, and all is right in the world.