Hi Getbabystar - there are good things and bad things to it. We are now faced with the first generation of 'digital natives' (children who have grown to adult hood with full access to computers, videos, gaming, etc) and they are different to those of us who have gone before - it doesn't mean they have turned out stunted either, but they are very good at multitasking and organising social networks to source info and solve problems. However, they require higher levels of stimulation and activity to remain engaged in tasks and also expect to be treated as equals even though they may be entering the workforce at the lower rungs.

Having said all of that, it's up to parents to determine how family time is spent. I personally believe everything in moderation, I now spend longer on the internet than I did ten years ago (a- there's more out there worth spending time on and b- I have faster connections and can achieve more in the time I'm on).

The important thing is whether this is eroding other activities that i might be engaging in - whether physical activity, or social, or whatever. I also personally believe that a child's imagination is best supported but allowing them to have free unstructured creative play time, and so that's why screen time (both computers AND tv) are limited in our house.