58 Percent of American Parents Use Gadgets as Makeshift Babysitters

Over half of the U.S. parents give their children gadgets in order to keep them busy, a latest survey reveals.

The survey conducted by CouponCodes4u.com stated that nearly 58 percent of the parents were found to be handing their children gadgets as "babysitters".

Participants of the poll, who were parents of at least one child between 2 and 13 years of age, said they used this technique at least twice a week so that they can take a break from parenting. Some of them also said that it helped them get some "me-time."

A quarter of 2,400 parents polled said they used gadgets as temporary babysitters depending on the situation. These parents gave a host of reasons for giving their children gadgets. Some said that they follow this parenting technique because of travel, boredom and other family functions. These parents admitted that they gave children gadgets such as smartphones, tablets or handheld game consoles to keep them entertained and occupied, reported the New York Daily News.

However, the survey also found parents who were particular about introducing such high-end gadgets to children. Around 15 percent said that they never relied on technology to babysit their children. And nearly half of these parents said they did not want their children to watch, play or demand inappropriate games or programs.

Over a quarter (27 percent) parents said they kept a close watch on their children while they used technology, and 12 percent said they spent "as much time as possible" with their children.