What Are iPad Babies? Should Parents Be Concerned?

IPad babies  has become a buzzword in recent years, referring to young children who spend a significant portion of their early developmental years engaging with screens, especially tablets, rather than in hands-on, exploratory play. While technology is a part of modern parenting, it raises questions about the impact on motor development, attention, and social skills.

On The Art of Parenting podcast, Monika Gupta, a pediatric occupational therapist, shared thoughtful insight on how technology is influencing childhood development and what families can do to create balance.

What Is an iPad Baby?

An “iPad baby” isn’t a formal diagnosis, it’s a cultural term for infants and toddlers who are frequently exposed to screens, often as a form of entertainment or distraction. Gupta points out that while technology isn't inherently bad, it's important not to rely on it too soon or too often:

“If a child’s functional play is still developing, you don’t want to rely on that iPad or that technology” (Gupta, 2025).

The concern is not just about screen time—but what that screen time might be replacing: creative, sensory, and movement-based learning that is vital in early childhood. In a 2023 Shanghai cohort study of children aged 34 to 66 months, increased daily exposure to non-educational and fast-paced tablet content was linked to significantly lower fine and gross motor development scores, as measured by the ASQ‑3” (Shanghai Screen & ASQ‑3 Study, 2023)

What Are the Risks of Early Tech Exposure?

According to Gupta, the first few years of life are when fine motor skills, attention regulation, and sensory integration begin forming. When these foundations are underdeveloped due to excessive passive screen time, challenges can follow.

“When it comes to their play skills of scribbling or using their hands more functionally, sometimes we get trouble... It's not as natural now” (Gupta, 2025).

One key issue is that screens don’t engage children’s whole bodies the way toys, movement, or outdoor play do. Gupta stresses that multi-sensory environments are essential for long-term learning:

“Kids learn from all different areas of development of play, multi-sensory, outside... not just toys, movement too” (Gupta, 2025).

Should Technology Be Removed Completely?

Not necessarily. Gupta advocates for interactive, mindful tech use. For example, watching educational videos with your child and discussing what's happening can support shared attention and social development:

“If you're doing technology like TV... try to make it interactive. That's another way of working on social skills, working on shared attention” (Gupta, 2025).

She also notes that children are always watching and imitating. If adults are constantly on their devices, toddlers will likely mirror that behavior:

“They're at the age of imitation... even toddlers pretend to text because they see it from adults” (Gupta, 2025).

How to Support Healthy Development

To ensure children aren’t missing out on critical milestones, consider a few simple shifts:

• Offer tactile toys like blocks or sensory bins.

• Prioritize outdoor play and movement-based activities.

• Use screen time as a shared experience, not a babysitter.

• Model healthy screen habits yourself.

More On our Certified Expert Monika Gupta, OTR/L

Monika Gupta is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist, and parent coach on the MissPoppins platform. She also holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. With over a decade of experience supporting children’s developmental milestones, Monika blends clinical expertise with a compassionate, family-centered approach. She specializes in early childhood sensory development, emotional regulation, and screen-free play strategies, helping families navigate modern challenges like screen time, attention, and executive function.

Behavior is just a form of nonverbal communication, to learn how to navigate these challenges with your child feel free to schedule some time with Monika on our app.