London - It may come as no surprise to parents, but scientists have confirmed that most toddlers can use touchscreens by the age of two.
Some children are even using smartphones or tablet computers when they are as young as 12 months old, the researchers found.
A team of scientists analysed the ability of toddlers to swipe, unlock and search on a touchscreen device.
The team found the youngest regular users of touchscreens were 12 months old and the average age at which children had mastered all three skills was 24 months.
For years, health officials have warned that parents should limit the time that children spend staring at a screen.
But the authors of the study, from Cork University Hospital in Ireland, suggest that instead of being unhealthy for a child, time spent on touchscreen devices could actually benefit their development. Because the gadgets require touch and feel, their interactivity means they are not dissimilar to traditional forms of play, the researchers said.
The study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, explained: “Interactive touchscreen applications offer a level of engagement not previously experienced with other forms of media – and are more akin to traditional play.
“This opens up the potential application of these devices for both assessment of their development as well as early intervention in high-risk children.”
However the authors pointed out that there are still concerns about how parents should choose children’s apps on a phone or tablet, as there is currently “no regulation of their quality, educational value or safety”.
Daily Mail