Do you remember all the derogatory names people had for the television when you were growing up? Some of my favorites were the boob tube, idiot box (image courtesy of Boysandgirls.ie), electronic fireplace, and electronic babysitter. This new Infographic from from Schools.com raises our awareness about a new babysitter in town.

According to the graphic, seven out of ten children in tablet-owning homes have used tablets, and more than 20% of parents admit to giving children smartphones, iPods, or an iPad to keep them occupied while they run errands. They also admit to downloading apps that are specifically for their children.

So what are these kids using these devices for? All kinds of things including games, movies, networking with friends–essentially the same stuff adults use them for. The good news is that there are certain benefits that go along with using these devices at an early age. In fact, One study found that kindergartners who used an iPad scored better on tests than those who did not. Very interesting.

So, I don’t know if it’s quite like the old idiot box, but it does make a lot of sense. Parents are always looking for new ways to keep their children entertained as they get on with the necessary tasks of the day. If they can make it an educational experience, why not use our smartphones or tablets? It’s better than chasing them down the aisles of the grocery store.