IPad kid

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iPad kid is a slang term used for Generation Alpha children who seem addicted to screens, especially devices like the iPad. The idea has been around since the 2010s and has gone viral many times online. Some parents and school districts have pushed back when schools require kindergartners and elementary students to use iPads or Chromebooks for schoolwork.

The term also describes kids who have short attention spans or throw tantrums when they can’t use a device. It can be used in a positive or negative way, but it’s usually negative.

Experts say too much screen time at a young age can be harmful. It can affect attention, emotional control, and social skills—things often talked about with iPad kids.

Here are some numbers: a 2017 study found 80% of children have access to a phone or tablet. A 2025 Common Sense Media report says 40% of children have an iPad by age 2. Because there aren’t long-term studies yet, some researchers say we’re conducting a huge, unknown experiment on our kids.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased online learning and screen time, with changes in parenting and access to technology as well. In 2023, videos about iPad kids went viral on TikTok and other platforms.

In 2025, Los Angeles schools faced criticism from parents for requiring iPads and Chromebooks for schoolwork. One parent said, “You’re basically giving them cocaine.” Another said her son would urinate in his pants, and a pediatrician suggested overstimulation could make it hard to notice normal bodily signals.