(NECN/NBC News: Erika Edwards) - Many children on Santa's "good list" this year got phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets under the tree. They've joined a quickly growing number of kids glued to their mobile devices, some even including those still in diapers.
Even parents reluctant to embrace the kid technology revolution have given in to repeated requests to hand their phones over, even if just for a few moments.
"Whether we like it or not, these extraordinary new devices are here to stay," said James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media.
Steyer's group recently found a giant leap in the number of young children with access to mobile devices.
Within the past two years, the percentage of kids under the age of none who have used smartphones and tablets soared from 38% to more than 70%. This includes more than a third of kids under the age of two.
"You have all sorts of toddlers, and young kids from zero to five walking up to screens - television screens - and trying to swipe them, thinking that they're a tablet or a smartphone," added Steyer.
Some tablets are now designed for tiny hands. There's even an infant bouncy seat outfitted for an iPad.
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Steyer says the key is setting a good example. "If you're glued to your phone or your computer or your iPad, and you're not paying attention to your kids, they will do the same thing! They will watch your behavior."
