1 in 3 Children Under Five Owns An iPad [Study]

Parents want the best for their children that they keep them on trend even in gadgets. A new study suggests that one in every three children under five owns an iPad.

The new research was based on a survey of 2,000 parents of children aged up to five, where there was at least one tablet in the household.

According to the study, a third of pre-school children in the UK own an iPad or similar device that they use for an average of one hour and 19 minutes every weekday. These children often use the said gadget without their parent or guardian, The Guardian has learned.

More than a third of the pre-schoolers (35 percent) use their tablet on their own. They are most likely  left on their own at the beginning and the end of the day. However, more of the pre-schoolers (57 percent) still operate their tablet with their parents or guardian.

The researchers also found out that in households with tablets, 31 percent of children aged five and under own their tablet. For children aged between three and five, 37 percent own their tablet.

These children likely use the device from 4 pm to 6 pm during the week. However, they tend to use their tablets more during weekends when they play on them. On weekends they consume extra four minutes each day on average.

Researchers stressed that while some apps that children play help them improve their creativity, other apps were less helpful. The researchers cited the popular games like "Candy Crush Saga" and "Angry Bird" as an example, stressing that these games are aimed at older children.

With these, researchers are calling the attention of the parents to guide their children. They are encouraging parents to use only age-appropriate apps, and find time to  play with their children to share the experience while their  young ones are on their tablets.

"Apps that contain adverts and pop-ups for in-app purchases can limit children's play. In addition, whilst children of this age want to play some of the same games that their older siblings or parents play, these are not age-appropriate and do not offer a great deal of value for pre-schoolers," said lead researcher Jackie Marsh, of Sheffield University.

"Parents should look for apps produced by broadcasters or companies that know a great deal about this age group."

According to Yorkshire Post, among the top ten list, CBeebies' app "Playtime"  was the app that promoted the widest range of play and creativity for children under five.  

Peter Winter, information communication technology teacher at Monteney Primary School also shared that teachers can help parents choose the apps that offers educational value for their children