Are Electronic Toys Bad for Toddlers?

Electronic toys are growing in popularity, Toddlers are still learning and exploring the world around them.

They’re exploring new experiences by crawling up furniture or trying to put toys into their mouths, so it makes sense that they would also explore using technology too.

Table of Content

[show]

As parents, we want our kids to have fun and learn new things while playing, but sometimes the lines between “fun” and “dangerous” can get blurred.

For example, many popular children’s toys are made with electricity, and some even contain batteries.

There are plenty of other electronic toys out there that don’t come with batteries but do contain small amounts of electricity. So, what are the dangers of letting your toddler play with these toys?

Are Battery-Operated Toys Bad for Toddlers?

While some parents believe that battery-operated toys are safe, studies show they can harm toddlers.

These toys can cause a spike in heart rate, which could lead to epileptic seizures in young children.

A study published in 2011 by researchers from the University of Maryland found that children who played with such toys were 30 percent more likely to experience seizures than those who did not.

Additionally, there is evidence that playing with electronic toys may delay children’s speech development, making it hard for them to communicate in the future.

Some experts say this can happen because of overstimulation of certain brain parts.

The best thing you can do is choose carefully which toys are appropriate for your toddler.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children under the age of three years avoid any toy that has exposed metal surfaces or sharp edges.

If you’re unsure whether a toy is dangerous, talk to your pediatrician first.

It’s also essential to ensure the toy doesn’t contain chemicals like lead, mercury, or cadmium.

These heavy metals can be absorbed through the skin or ingested if they fall on the floor or get caught in clothing.

What Kinds of Toys Should You Avoid Using with Toddlers?

There are lots of different kinds of toys that you can buy for your child. The most popular toys include board games, dolls, stuffed animals, books, puzzles, and action figures.

Of course, there are also plenty of electronic toys that are meant specifically for children.

In general, most of these toys aren’t very dangerous. For your child to develop normally, they need to interact with people, objects, and environments.

Playing with toys encourages your child to explore their environment and learn about the world.

However, there are times when you need to be extra cautious.

Some of the popular toys that are potentially dangerous for toddlers

include the following:

Cars with small parts and interchangeable pieces such as doors and tires
Puzzles with small pieces
Board games with small tokens

What are Some Good Electronics Toys for Toddlers?

Electronic toys for toddlers can be great choices in some circumstances and situations.

Most of the time, they’re designed to entertain your child while keeping them occupied for a few minutes, but you should be careful about which ones you purchase.

Here are some of the safest electronics for toddlers:

Baby monitors
Playpens with motion sensor mobiles
Strollers with game and learning attachments
Dolls with recording devices or preprogrammed responses
Books that are interactive and encourage letter and number recognition as well as early reading skills

These are just a few options; many other options are available.

Just make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing anything.

Do Electronic Toys Delay Speech?

Most parents are concerned about whether electronic toys affect how their little one communicates.

While studies are still being done further to investigate the relationship between speech delay and electronic toys, some information is already available.

A 2013 National Institutes of Health study suggests that exposure to electronic media may contribute to language delays in children.

However, the authors note that further research is needed.

Other studies have shown that playing with electronic toys does not delay early childhood speech development.

Evidence indicates that these toys help improve your child’s communication skills.

When choosing electronic toys for your toddler, pay attention to recommended ages, limit the time the toy is being used, and ensure the toy provides the kind of interaction your child will benefit from.

Why are Electronic Toys Bad for Kids?

The environment kids are allowed to be in will influence their wants and behaviors. If you take your child to a park or playground full of other children, they will most likely want to play with the other children.

If a group of toddlers is watching TV or playing some form of a video game, your toddler will also want to join in those activities.

Whether it is outdoor play or electronic play, it has been noted that toddlers will tend to imitate the actions and repeat inappropriate words or phrases based on where they spend their time and who they are with.

If toddlers are allowed to play with electronic toys, it is crucial to find positive and helpful toys rather than something that will get them in trouble without them understanding why.

Importance of Toys in Child Development

Playing with toys helps your child practice motor skills, build self-confidence, and improve social relationships. It’s also beneficial for your child’s cognitive development.

By exposing your child to all sorts of different experiences, you give them a chance to see the world from multiple perspectives.

This allows your child to understand how different environments work and form a clearer picture of how things relate.