Baby Bouncer Raises Concerns


A new baby seat includes a holder for a tablet computer, which some early child experts say exposes children to computers too soon.

The “apptivity seat” may appeal to some but not all.

"Not for me, but I can understand a little bit why Fisher Price has done that, because it's new, it's actual, but for me, I would like my baby girl to spend the least possible time watching TV or electronical devices,” said Barbara Vadnais, mother. "With a real toy she will learn more the action-reaction chain because, like this... If I scream, she will maybe not do it again, but with the iPad, when she's really young she will not have this action-reaction."

It’s only been on the market for a few weeks, but with the holidays approaching, it may end up under a few Christmas trees. That has some early childhood educators worried.

"There's a time for this, and this is not the time for screens and technology and iPads at this young age. They need a responsive adult. They need to interact with real things, real objects and real people,” said Cathy Burns, Vanier College Early Childhood Education. "This might distract a child or you know... It just makes the child passive and so the parent thinks the child's ok but really it's not stimulating."

The Canadian Pediatric Society agrees.

It says too much screen time has a negative impact on a child’s development, both physically and mentally.

In fact, it says, ideally, children younger than two shouldn’t be exposed to screen at all.

Fisher Price says in a statement, they realize this seat is not for everyone.

They say they offer a variety of seats that do not include room for an iPad and leave it up to the judgment of the parents.

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