The mobile media has developed rapidly in recent years; representative ones are tablet PCs and mobile phones. They not only can bring convenience to people’s work, but also enrich many children’s lives. Take Apple’s apps as example, according to the latest 2013 Cartoon Network survey, it found that 70% of children aged from 4 to 14 are using apps, which is two times higher than the figure from 2011 survey. Most of these children are playing games and watching videos on iPads.
There are so many children fixated on apps’ games. Something happened when children are playing games on iPads. We all know that in the Apple Store, there are many free games. But when you are playing the games, there parts of game requiring you have to pay. But Children did not know it means real money, they just thought it is a game.
Sylvie is a 9 year old girl. She likes playing the game “Top Girl” from apps. There are different virtual items in this game needing you to pay. She did know what it is about and after three days she spent six hundreds dollars with in-app purchases. After the news reported, it caused many parents echoes. They had the same experience and were calling for some actions should be done about these games. Another example from a boy, who had racked up 980 dollars for a Simpsons game. When found out their bank account suddenly became low, his parents were shocked. 
Then who is at fault? There are restrictions related to the games in ipads’ settings. Should these games be disabled by default when they are released or the parents should be responsible for them? I agree with the former. If people need it, they can turn it by themselves.
Some people hold the opinion that the iPads are good learning tools that they provide texts, images, color as well as sounds and videos. They are very good for the children’s education at children’s intellectual development, learning interest and motivation of other aspects of development. On the other hand, iPads can provide much information that the traditional educational tools can not. In many countries, classrooms are equipped with iPads. Children can draw and listen to the current news. Parents could choose some useful software and their children could gain knowledge easily.
However, here came the problem, most things have two sides. Many people think that looking at iPads for long time has many disadvantages on children’s eyes. Adults could not stand the long time facing the computers, so how can a child? Even worse, the iPads’ radiation also affects the developing brains of children. In addition, children have low self-control; they are easy to be addicted to online games. And the iPads are easy to carry around. If children spent a lot of time on playing apps’ games, they will be accustomed to playing with their own. The behaviors will reduce children’s ability of getting along with friends.
All things have measures. In this matter of iPads, the most significant is the role of parents. First, parents should monitor children’s using time of iPads and encourage children using learning tools, music players and books in iPads. At the same time, parents should arrange many outdoors activities and join the activities together with their children. This is a good way to enrich children’s leisure time.
Reference list
1. Suzanne, S 2013, ABC NEWS: Kids racking up huge bills on mobile games, [online] Available at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-17/kids-racking-up-huge-bills-on-mobile-games/4266632
[26 June 2013]
2. Claire, B 2013, Econsultancy: Australian kids turn to apps in record numbers, [online] Available at
http://econsultancy.com/au/blog/62552-australian-kids-turn-to-apps-in-record-numbers
[28 April 2013]
3. Tom, M 2013, This is Bristol: Eight-year-old taps his way to £980 iTunes bill, [online] Available at
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/year-old-taps-way-pound-980-iTunes/story-18399231-detail/story.html#axzz2diM5amc6 [13 Match 2013]
4. Victoria, W 2013, TELEGRAPH: Toddlers becoming so addicted to iPads they require therapy, [online] Available at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/10008707/Toddlers-becoming-so-addicted-to-iPads-they-require-therapy.html [21 April 2013]
5. Nancy, D 2012, Psychology Today: Why the Real World Is Better for Kids Than an iPad, [online] Available at
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201204/why-the-real-world-is-better-kids-ipad [18 April 2012]
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