GOOD AND BAD CONTENT
YouTube is a prime example of a location that has extremely beneficial and educational content for children and content that is seen as unsuitable for the younger audience. “Such platforms without regulation allow children to access inappropriate content that may be psychologically, intellectually, or emotionally harmful and unsafe” (Alqahtani, et. al, 2023). Regulations to what children have access to on the internet is very important for the child’s safety. YouTube has the option for a YouTube Kids’ account, which restricts what they can view. But, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry also suggests to “familiarize yourself with programming to make sure it is age-appropriate and, [if applicable] to talk to your child about what they are seeing”. There are a lot of videos out there that want your child's attention, for better or for worse.
Youtube videos like Hey Bear Sensory and Cocomelon are specifically designed to be enticing and stimulating for their viewers. By having brightly colored visuals, fun songs that pair with the visuals, and movement that never stops on screen, they have figured out the perfect recipe to get children hooked. The expectation for being constantly entertained is established and when this expectation isn't met, the child will do what is necessary to get back to watching the videos.
With the right content, the iPad can be an amazing tool for education amongst children. In the study Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management, Muppalla et. al found that “research has suggested that electronic books and learning-to-read applications may improve young children’s early reading skills and creative thinking capacities”. It was additionally noted that “studies have also demonstrated the negative effects of screen media use on a number of cognitive areas such as executive functioning, sensorimotor development, and academic outcomes'' (Muppalla S, 2023). Additionally, in How Early Digital Experience Shapes Young Brains During 0-12 years: A Scoping Review, Wu, D et. al, (2023) found similar results were produced finding both negative and positive structural changes in children’s brains.
