IT IS a common sight nowadays to see kids as young as three years old playing on phones or tablets. Some parents would hand them the mobile phone or tablet to keep their young minds and little hands busy.

However, children who are exposed to phones or tablet at an early age are facing health and social risks.

Child and Adolescent Neuro Development (Candev) training officer and chairperson of Department Of Pediatrics of Brokenshire Hospital Dr. Ferriza Maria Isaguire pointed out that children will have little interest in interacting with people because they are already happy with the interaction they are getting from the phone or tablet.

She said in the long run, the attention span of these children become shorter and may affect their schooling.

Isaguirre said the first two years are the formative years of the child’s brain which means that they should be taught by parents and guardians proper interaction, language, and play.

Young parents should be educated on these to avoid exposing their toddlers with mobile phones and gadgets. Instead they should invest in toys that will help in developing the child's language and being able to identify simple shapes and objects.

It is also during these years when toddlers start to develop their speech. When exposed to phones or tablets, this may delay their speech. However, through constant interaction between parents and toddlers, the toddlers may develop their speech much faster.

"Nothing replaces face to face interaction with the mother, with the caregivers, you don't have to use sophisticated toys. Yung simple lang na kakausapin mo yung anak mo habang kumakain kayo," Isaguire said.

In this day and age of technology, parents must employ smarter means of parenting to allow the development of their children. Though technology has its fair share of positive benefits, it must be used in moderation.