I disagree on this point - technology to this extent didn't exist when I was a kid - most of this stuff was learned at an older age for myself. I think giving your child some books will put them at a greater advantage as far as development and learning that letting them stare at an iPad or the like.  There's no real advantage to learning how to use an iPhone at 3 vs at 10 or something like that. I'd be willing to bet it actually stifles social interaction.