http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/disruptions-what-does-a-tablet-do-to-the-childs-mind/?_r=0
Is there any evidence produced under controlled conditions that might impact on a parents decision whether or not to let a child use a tablet? Is there any evidence that tablet manufacturers are targeting parents with small children from a marketing/advertising point of view.
We can't judge any parents parenting skills based on how much TV time our parents allowed us. Schools in particular base so much of thier lesson and homework time on computer based activities. No longer do kids have to carry their school books home, all their homework is published online and completed, submitted and marked online. If a child progresses through pre-school and primary school with very little access to any type of computer or internet then they enter high school at a distinct disadvantage not only academically but socially and career wise.
I have been using computers since 1977 and seen an awful lot of development and used many different types of device, it's not over, technology based learning is developing faster than we could have imagined when we were lugging 3 lots of homework a night home and back to and from school. We all need to emrace technology for our kids and grandkids sake because it is what they are going to be living all their lives.