Children addicted to 'electronic babysitter' (2)

"Now I doubt whether the iPad is a great leap forward in our modern life or something that hinders our natural, emotional communication," she says.

Li Wenjia, a 26-year-old teacher at Happy Kindergarten, says many children have told her how interesting the iPad games are.

"They are often distracted from studies," she says. "Some even don't want to go to school as they are not allowed to bring an iPad here. I've discussed this with parents, since too much focus on electronic devices might hinder the development of children's communication ability. At their age, they should be eager to explore nature rather than playing in a virtual world."

Today many parents use iPads, iPhones and other smart devices as "electronic nannies" for their kindergartners and older children.

The reasons vary: Sometimes the child is too noisy and parents want to keep him or her quiet. Sometimes parents don't have time to deal with their child and the device gives them a break. Sometimes it's an early education tool in English and arithmetic.

Whatever the reason, the children become addicted.

"I bought an iPad for my four-year-old daughter because all the other children in our residential community have one and it would hurt her not to have one herself," says Ren Hao, a human resources director at a multinational company. At first she struggled because she knew the down side.

"But when everyone around you is playing with one, you seem like an idiot when you have no idea about it," she says. "Having one helps you get along with others and speak the same language. I don't want my daughter isolated from the others."

For grandparents who often care for small children, the iPad is a big help.

"Sometimes when I am fixing dinner, I can't watch my two-year-old granddaughter all the time," says Shen Wen, in her 60s. Then her daughter gave the child an iPad and she is fully occupied while grandmother is cooking.

But many parents underestimate the temptation and enslavement to an iPad and similar electronic gadgets.

"I like it, it has many interesting games, especially when I'm bored or have no friends to play with," says Yang Qi, a six-year-old boy in kindergarten.

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