People in their late teens and twenties (AKA Generation Z) are calling younger teens, kids, and even toddlers "iPad babies" on TikTok. What exactly does this term mean, and should Generation Alpha (and their parents) be offended by it? And what are the impacts on kids who are given iPads before they can even walk? Take a deep dive with us into the world of iPad babies and learn what they are , how screen time impacts kids , how much screen time is safe , and how to set healthy boundaries around tablets and other electronics (with tips from parenting expert and CEO of No Guilt Mom JoAnn Crohn and licensed clinical psychologist Chloe Carmichael, PhD.
What are iPad babies?
"iPad babies" is a rude term that describes kids who are dependent on screens to entertain them. Parents of these kids start giving them access to iPads and other screens when they're infants or under 5 years old. Some studies suggest that excessive screen time can cause kids to develop emotional and behavioral issues.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.aecf.org/blog/impact-of-social-media-on-gen-alpha
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/06/screen-time-problems-children
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6764013/#H1-5-POI190061
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9714705/
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Healthy-Digital-Media-Use-Habits-for-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Healthy-Digital-Media-Use-Habits-for-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Healthy-Digital-Media-Use-Habits-for-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers.aspx
- ↑ Chloe Carmichael, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Chloe Carmichael, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Healthy-Digital-Media-Use-Habits-for-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers.aspx
- ↑ JoAnn Crohn. Parenting Expert and CEO of No Guilt Mom. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105121