The iPad Kid Epidemic

In this new age of rapid technological advancement, a new term has sprung up in casual conversation and internet memes: “iPad kid.” The phrase refers to children, particularly those in elementary school, who spend most of their time unsupervised behind a screen. While heightened technology usage has been revolutionary, its implications may be more profound than we think. 

The average daily screen time in America is seven hours and three minutes, with children averaging seven and a half hours a day and teens at over eight hours. This is partly because devices are now much more accessible than ever, giving us access to unlimited information at our fingertips. Yet, this benefit comes with a cost. Studies show that around 39 percent of children in the U.S. feel addicted to their mobile devices, and 58 percent are distracted by their mobile devices at least once per day. With the increasing prevalence of technology, long hours spent behind a screen are normalized, while its detrimental effects on mental health are often overlooked. Furthermore, the iPad diminishes creativity; boredom and an inquisitiveness often force the mind to innovate. With a screen in front of you providing access to a constant stream of stimulation and information, the brain can’t do the thinking it needs to grow. In a study investigating the phenomenon of ‘brain rot’ —a phrase describing low-quality internet videos—it was revealed that the seemingly-harmless internet term highlighted how continuous media consumption led to impairment of the brain's cognitive functioning, including memory, decision-making, and planning. The brain can no longer relax, further contributing to information overload and cognitive decline.

Excessive use of a device is also linked with a decline in academic performance. The disruptive nature of technology hurts the academic success of many people. Even the youngest children experience these effects, especially in language learning. Many parents often find themselves handing their crying child an iPad, whether it’s for a long, quiet road trip or to keep them distracted from crying. This isn’t inherently harmful, but quickly becomes so when it replaces other fundamental activities, such as the bonding time between parent and child. When exploring the relationship between screentime and linguistic acquisition, researchers found that giving a child an iPad often disrupts playtime and reduces parent-child interaction, resulting in slower language development. This affects children later on in their academic career as well, with difficulties in reading, writing, math, and other subjects. The issue of literacy applies to adults in the United States as well, as there is a negative correlation between screentime and the average literacy rate in the United States. As of 2024, the literacy rate in United States is 79 percent, with 21 percent of adults being illiterate and 54 percent of all adults having a reading level below sixth-grade level. Children in school have difficulty reading and student performance in mathematics, reading, and science has been plummeting. We are currently at a record low, with data from the National Assessment of Education Progress showing that the average reading and writing score for adolescents has been on a decline. While screen time is not the sole cause of this trend—economic disparity and other social factors also play critical roles—it remains an undeniable contributor to the nation’s literacy crisis.

However, this raises the question: why is screen time so addictive for children? Due to the brain still being in the development phase, children are more susceptible to getting hooked on the dopamine released when using their phones. Social media and games work on a variable reward system: rewards come unpredictably and inconsistently. This causes the brain to release dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. It’s easy for youths to become hooked to this feeling, causing it to become an obsessive behavior, as each click and like causes a surge of dopamine. Unlike adults, kids and teens have an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, which makes self-control a lot more difficult. Tech companies fuel this release through the designs of their apps: opting for bright colors and loud features. On top of that, the social aspect of it encourages long-term usage, with the fear of missing out on news, trends, or updates from peers. 

Over time, the long-term consequences of prolonged technology use become more and more pronounced. Children who grow up accustomed to the flashy lights and the constant gratification find it harder to be patient and resilient. This carries on into adolescence and adulthood, causing difficulties to focus on things and self-regulation. With these changes in the brain, future generations will process information a lot differently—with short-term gratification being favored over longer, more time consuming activities. The brain might adapt to short forms of media and find it difficult to focus on things. The use of AI and technology will be more prevalent than ever in society. Additionally, the reliance on technology weakens empathy and the ability to form strong ties with one another, causing isolation amongst everyone. With desensitization to heavy topics and global issues, people will be more reluctant to provide others with aid or take stances upon these topics. Someone’s suffering will instead turn into another person’s scroll.
Even as Stuy students, we can’t falsely assume that we, too, are excluded from the negative effects of screen time. While this may seem like an issue only relevant to younger kids, the reality is that teenagers alike are just as vulnerable to the ‘iPad kid’ epidemic. If these risks aren’t acknowledged now, it may slowly creep into adulthood, where it may be harder to undo the tolls of screen addiction. The future generations will inherit and live in the future we build now, so the way we choose to engage with technology not only shapes our own success but builds the foundation of the success of the generations to come.