Parents shouldn’t be condemned for letting kids use smartphones at restaurants

Parents who let their kids use tablets or smartphones in restaurants are subject to a lot of criticism, but a new a study has found that this criticism is misguided.

This morning Ross and John spoke to Dr Hilary Davis, Senior Research Fellow at Swinburne University, who conducted the study. She said that parents are often condemned for “digital babysitting,” and that this behaviour is viewed as isolating and detrimental to children’s well-being.

Dr Davis said the study found that this was not the case.

“What we found is that they were actually taking part in conversations. The kids were talking about things that were happening on their iPads and iPhones, and were sharing those with all the family members,” she said.

“It’s a good way of allowing families to spend longer together,” she said.

Click PLAY below to hear Ross and John’s interview with Dr Hilary Davis.