Fisher Price could pull back its Newborn-to-Toddler Apptivity Seat with iPad connection if the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood has their way a press release reported
The organization is concerned that Fisher Price's Newborn-to-Toddler Apptivity seat disrupts infants outlook on their surroundings the organization said in a statement.
CCFC therefore suggests parents should leave infants by themselves in the seat since they are secured. This can be done by taking the device off of the seats attachment bar.
"The Newborn-to-Toddler seat is the ultimate electronic babysitter," Susan Linn, director of CCFC said in a statement. "Its very existence suggests it's fine to leave babies all alone with an iPad inches from their face. Babies thrive when they are talked to, played with and cuddled, not when they are alone with a screen. By manufacturing a device to restrain infants in front of a screen, even when they're too young to sit up, Fisher-Price actually discourages interactions that are crucial to learning and healthy development. Babies thrive when they're talked to, played with, and held not when they're alone with a screen."
Infants can play with toys that hang down, and they can extend their arms towards, and grasp. Swirling designs, and soft noises allow infants to develop and practice moving their eyes to something they want to look at.
The product operates for 10 minutes then becomes inoperable, at which time users have to start it up again. This prevents the app from running continuously.
The organization began an online petition Tuesday to try and persuade the company to make the product safer.
"(The Apptivity Seat is a niche product that is only available online)," Fisher Price told The Associated Press. "(It is)(one of more than a dozen seats for infants, and is not meant to be seen as an educational product for children)."
