At the time of writing, the post has received more than 65,000 views and over 5,800 likes, hundreds of comments -- and questions -- about whether the rise of "iPad kids" says less about screens and more about society's shrinking tolerance for childhood itself.

Many commenters echoed a shared nostalgia for a time when children could run, shout and explore in public without judgment. One user recalled being warned a decade ago because her kids were "playing in the front yard" -- a memory that now feels almost surreal.

Another commented on the pressure that parents feel to have "perfectly behaved" children in public. "You have parents passing out goodie bags of ear plugs and treats with little notes excusing their kids. Grown adults having tantrums in public because a kid acted like a kid in their presence."

A third commenter offered their own theory: "Parents don't let the village be a village anymore. If your kid is running around screaming at a brewery or throwing things, I'd have no problem saying, 'Hey, don't do that' or 'Keep it down', but then the parent is going to lose their minds. They expect everyone to pretend their screaming kid that's throwing trip hazards on the ground should be ignored."

Others pointed to a deeper cultural shift. With fewer people having children, empathy toward parents -- and patience for noisy, curious kids -- has waned. "I used to hide in clothing racks in stores," one user wrote. "I've seen comments in this post calling that out but I let my daughter do the same thing. What kid wants to watch their parents look at clothes? I never see it nowadays unless an iPad or phone is present."

One commenter commented that technology today has simply replaced an old habit. "Many parents allow their kids to have a steady diet of the internet because it's a babysitter, much like TV was for previous generations," they wrote. "Only, iPads and phones are worse, because they can be taken anywhere, unlike a TV that can just be switched off when you leave the house."

Dr. Sasha Hall, a senior education and child psychologist, told Newsweek that public places have become less tolerant of noise, movement and curiosity.

"Children naturally learn by chatting, fidgeting, asking questions and exploring," Hall said. "When there is pressure to keep them still and silent, screens can become the easy option to help everyone cope."

Hall, who is also a mom of two, added that screens themselves aren't the problem -- imbalance is. The World Health Organization recommends screen time that is "limited, purposeful, and supervised."

"Technology can support learning, communication and regulation, including for some neurodivergent children," Hall said. "It becomes more of a concern when screens replace real-life interaction and practice."

For children with ADHD, she added, a tablet can even serve as a helpful tool in overwhelming settings. Yet research also shows that higher levels of screen use are linked to attention and emotion regulation difficulties.

"Using screens mainly to soothe or distract may mean those children miss chances to build real-world coping skills," Hall said. "This applies to all children, not only children with ADHD. Every child benefits from practicing waiting, joining conversation and managing boredom in everyday settings."

In the end, Hall said the question isn't whether iPads are bad -- it is what they are replacing. "Technology can be a brilliant tool in childhood," she added. "Our focus should be on balance, making sure screens do not replace the rich social, physical and playful experiences that help all children thrive."