Tablet computers the new electronic babysitter

Move over TV. Tablet computers are the new electronic babysitter.

A Nielsen survey published on Thursday broke down the ways tablet-owning parents of children under age 12 are using gadgets such as the iPad to keep the kids occupied.

More than half of parents -- 55 percent -- said their kids used tablets for entertainment while traveling and 41 percent said they give the children the device to use in restaurants.

Some 77 percent said their children play downloaded games on a tablet while 57 percent said they access educational applications.

Forty-three percent watch television shows or movies on their tablets.

Only 15 percent of children use tablets to communicate with friends or family.

Nielsen said seven out of 10 children under age 12 in tablet-owning households are using the devices.

(c) 2012 AFP