Do Napa Valley Children Have iPad Addictions?

By IRENE DEBLASIO (Star Patcher)

Young children learn best by interacting with people. Warning: Children are becoming addicted to iPads.

The DSM codes may not yet carry a formal diagnosis for the “laptop camping addiction,” but I’m willing to bet it won’t be long. All you need to do is to enter any Starbuck’s and witness the sea of would-be screenwriters and novelists with the vacant stare fixed on a screen. We’ve now reached the point of spotting 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds accompanying their parents into restaurants carrying their iPads and tablets.

They will set the device on the table in front of them and grab the bread basket to make sure it’s within reach. Their little eyes glazed over into a hypnotic trance, they use their peripheral vision to lower a hand to pick up a roll or piece of bread.

They become so immersed that when a parent asks what they’d like to order, there’s no response.

The parent, usually the mother, will accommodate the child and order whatever is easy – not wanting to cause a conflict. Chicken nuggets with French fries and apple juice. This scenario is played out thousands of times a day. There seems to be no parental discretion or the setting of limits on screen time.

When the iPad is taken away, the child will have temper tantrums, become distressed, even inconsolable to the point of aggressive, defiant behavior. Not only will the addiction disrupt family life, but the child at risk can develop metabolic syndrome -- a step toward Diabetes and other serious mental and physical disorders. These include anxiety, depression and a type of OCD. Parents are now seeking professional help for digital detox for children who refuse to turn off their electronics.

Children are spending too many hours each day with their little faces into screens. Older kids enjoy playing video games with monsters and zombies who can kill. Parents will become vigilant about bullying, but never bother setting limits on time spent in front of monitors. They’re usually too busy on their smart phones anyway.

Children need to interact and play, They need to be exposed to the idea of team work, as well as competition. They should not be in school all day nor using electronic devices all day.

They will become non-functioning -- emotionally, mentally and physically addicted to these electronic devices. Sports and family outings are a good first step for parents to take in dealing with the problem. Electronics-free time will help.

Recently, my daughter and I were dining at a small French restaurant in our neighborhood when a couple entered with a 5-year-old boy. As soon as they were seated the child asked the server if they had WiFi – the server replied, “No, this is a restaurant – we have food.”

The youngster was so annoyed that he threw his iPad on the table and sat way back in his chair with a look of complete disgust. Arms folded across his chest in defiance he never uttered a word, ate some bread but refused to show any interest in the meal.

By the time the dessert menu came, he showed his irritation and snapped at the server, “I don’t want any dessert – can you just bring the bill?”

This behavior has become epidemic and most parents seem oblivious to it. How can they put a stop to it or rectify it? Are they setting the stage for deep psychological problems? How can a child learn to cope with reality? How will he learn to solve problems? How will he learn social skills or critical thinking? This is a serious situation bordering on child neglect and abuse.

For thoughtful parents, it’s time to start setting limits.

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--Photo provided by By IRENE DEBLASIO