When children plopped on Santa’s lap in December at NorthPark Center, their Christmas wishes caused more shock for St. Nick than amusement. Kids, as young as three were asking for iPads “when they could barely even say the word,” NorthPark Santa Claus Carl Anderson said in an article from the Dallas Morning News.

According to a study in November by Nielsen, 31 percent of children ages six to 12 expressed an interest in buying an iPad within the next six months. Because any kid’s interest in buying something really means the parent makes the purchase, that’s quite a gift to ask for.

Since when did parents think it was acceptable to buy a high-priced gadget, A $500 to $800 device for their children? Whether it’s a gift under the tree or an excuse for five minutes of peace and quiet in the car, children should not either own or have significant access to iPads.

Many rave over the idea that iPads boost a child’s learning experience through apps like iBooks and ABC Animals. But where’s the logic behind the idea that children need to learn how to read on a touch screen in the first place? Even if a kid successfully read an eBook on the iPad, how many more kids ditched the reading to play a game app on the home screen? For a device that offers to do so many things at once, it’s not the best medium for the average attention deficit child to get an education through.

Even though most parents prefer lending their iPads over giving them as gifts to their young children, problems still surface with this approach. A recent CBS 11 article reported that nationwide children are racking up their parents’ monthly iPad bills by playing “free” games that require purchasing certain features to advance in the game. Before one family knew it, the next iPad bill included an extra $60 in game charges.

If parents give their children iPads or significant access, they are doomed to two tragic fates. The first is the scary dependency on an electronic babysitter when things get hectic and mommy still needs to cook dinner. The second is just as tragic, if not more: This generation’s children will be known everywhere as the spoiled brats.

Natalie Posgate is a junior journalism major. She can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].