Toddler tech: How young is too young for a smartphone?

Many parents are giving their children smartphones at younger ages. A new study found that 25% of kids age two and younger now have their own device. While some parents may look at smartphones as a learning tool for their children, experts like psychiatrist Gail Saltz believe these devices may actually do more harm than good: “These years are the years that you need to be developing vocabulary, which means speaking and listening, so if you’re engaged in a gadget, you’re really minimizing that. We’ve seen all kinds of data now on play and how important it is to, frankly, be bored and be stimulated to do imaginative play, what that does for building creativity.” Parents may want to think twice before giving smartphones and tablets to toddlers, since these devices limit children’s ability to think freely, use their imagination, and learn through traditional play.

CBS News, 8/3/13