Screenbased activities can't replace personal interactions

A new article stresses the importance of direct interactions with family members for infants' development and finds no scientific evidence for benefits of iPad or DVD programs, which in fact might even cause language delays.

The neurons in infants' brains are busy processing input involved with sensing, seeing, and hearing, and imitating facial expressions, recognizing family members, and formulating language are all important aspects of development.

"External coupling of the brain to technology cannot replace these direct multisensory interactions," said Dr. Hugo Lagercrantz, author of the Acta Paediatrica article.