Since the launch of portable smartphone technology, such as the iPad, countless of studies have laid out how exposing kids to these gadgets can be detrimental to their development. However, a recent study has revealed that the iPad actually has some benefits for children. It can work as an effective sedative, especially in specific cases.
The study, which was presented during th World Congress of Anesthesiologists last August in Hong Kong, pointed out that using an iPad can be an effective sedative that's comparable to a drug called midazolam, Eurekalert reports. This drug is given to children to temper down their anxiety right before they have to be administered anesthesia for a surgical procedure.
The researchers studied children from ages 4 to 10 who were given either iPads to play with or the sedative. They were monitored for 20 minutes before being injected with anesthesia. They were also monitored hours before and after their surgery for anxiety levels.
The parents were also asked to evaluate their children, who said that the kids generally had a smooth-sailing experience with the surgery, thanks to the iPads. "Our study showed that child and parental anxiety before anesthesia are equally blunted by midazolam or use of the iPad," study author Dr. Dominique Chassard said in the press release.
The study highlights how it can be possible for hospitals to use "non-pharmacologic tool" for young patients since use of iPad brings the same calming effects. It would help minimize the side effects that could potentially come from ingesting medication.
This is not the first study to highlight the benefits of iPads for children though, as the American Academy of Pediatrics also believes the gadget can help with early education, Mashable reports. It debunks earlier notions that screen time is not advisable for children under two. But experts say that with balance use, digital media can be a good tool for educating children at whatever age.
