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NBC News
12-06-2025
- NBC News
These staff-favorite phone cases will keep your device safe
Ever have your phone fly out of your hands walking down the street, the stairs or while you're just sitting at home? Us too. Thankfully everyone on team NBC Select uses a phone case, so sudden drops and flings don't lead to sudden repair bills. That's because a phone case made of the right materials, fit to your specific phone model can protect your phone from most everyday damage, according to our experts. We spoke with experts within the case industry to learn more about what's most important when buying a new phone case. Plus we rounded up our favorite cases, which we've used for years to protect our devices. How we picked the best phone cases We spoke with industry professionals from case brands like Otterbox and Casetify — because they work at brands that sell phone cases, we did not ask them for product recommendations and instead focused on product design and general best practices. Combing their advice with our experience, we selected products keeping the following in mind: Fit: A phone case can't do its job if it doesn't fit your phone. All of our top picks are available for a variety of phone models. Wireless charging compatible: Most smartphones nowadays can charge wirelessly — Android phones over Qi charging, iPhones using MagSafe. We prefer phone cases that let you charge wirelessly without taking them off. Style: A phone case needs to be practical, but let's face it: most of us also want it to fit our taste. Almost all of our top picks come in multiple styles and colorways. The best phone cases Nearly all of our top picks are NBC Select picks we've used for years, with no phone scratches, dings or nicks to show for it. All the below cases are listed for iPhone 16, but are available for a wide range of smartphones. Best overall Multiple NBC Select staffers love Burga phone cases. The brand sent a few for the team to try out, and we think the Tough case strikes a great balance between durability, design and price. It has a silicone interior and hard shell exterior, plus raised edges around the screen and rear cameras for added drop protection. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin practically flings her phone across the room multiple times a day, and her phone hasn't gotten any nicks or scratches yet. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio drops her phone a lot, and has used Casetify phone cases for the past five years. While the cases have worn down, her phone has never gotten a scratch, been dinged or broken. Her favorite model is the Impact series, which offers good protection and has lots of designs to choose from. Budget pick NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman has used this slim, discrete case for over a year on his previous phone. While it is not the most durable, it does provide enough protection for most everyday use, and it's more affordable than our other recommendations. 'I dropped it while running once and the phone hit the ground — only the case had a scratch, and my phone was left completely unscathed,' says Bowman. If you're willing to go a little thicker, the brand also makes a more durable Shockproof case for a similar price. If your priorities are solely protection and durability, this case from an NBC Select favorite brand is the one to get. It's Otterbox's most protective case, with significant corner and all-around cushioning to keep your phone protected from all angles. It also has a removable cover over the charging port so you can keep dust, debris and liquids out. For folks who don't want to carry a wallet, handbag or purse, Malin and NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown recommend the Bandolier Hailer. It's a crossbody style case with straps and a built-in wallet so you have all your essentials on your body at all times. You can fit up to five cards in the wallet according to the brand, but Brown has fit up to 10 without anything tearing. Plus the leather is resilient and durable, says Brown. How to shop for a phone case Shopping for a new phone almost always means shopping for a new phone case, in my experience. If you're in the market for a new case, our experts recommend keeping the following in mind while shopping: Consider protection and drop resistance Drop height claims are not well controlled and testing methods can vary from brand to brand, says Doug Kempel, vice president of engineering at Otter Products. While there is not a set standard, many brands use the Military Standard MIL-STD-810G to evaluate a product's ruggedness, durability and limits, says Vincent Au, head of product at Casetify. Pay careful attention to how each brand talks about durability, and consider how often (or rarely) you drop your phone on a daily basis. If you drop your phone often, or use your phone around power tools, on your bike, or at the beach often, consider a more durable case design with thicker rails and bumpers around the screen, camera and corners of your phone. Know what kind of phone you have A phone case made for the iPhone 12 will not fit an iPhone 15 Pro very well, if at all. Be sure to get a case that matches your phone exactly. Consider a waterproof case, if you need one Most phones these days have strong dust and water resistance in the form of a high IP rating. The iPhone 16, for example, has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-resistant and can withstand being fully submerged in up to 19.5 feet of water for about 30 minutes. Still, if you plan on using your phone in consistently wet conditions, especially around saltwater, consider a waterproof case, says Kempel. Fully waterproof cases can sometimes make a phone harder to use, and water seals can degrade over time, says Au. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, headphones and cameras. For this piece, he spoke with NBC Select staff about their favorite phone cases and interviewed case product professionals within the industry. Any inclusion of phone case brands on our list was made independently of our experts.
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business Insider
The best Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge cases
The best Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge cases provide lasting protection in slim, lightweight forms that don't inhibit features like wireless charging. Below, we've compiled a collection of our favorite cases from our testing experience, with options from Samsung and third-party brands like Zagg, Otterbox, Spigen, and others. Our top pick among the best Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge cases is the Zagg Crystal Palace Lite case, a thin, durable, clear case that prevents use-related yellowing. Our favorite budget option is the Spigen Liquid Air case, with its minimalistic, matte-textured design and impact resistance. When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more FAQs Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge need a case? Like many of the best Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is remarkably sturdy in its titanium construction. However, none of the best phones are invincible when dropped or scratched, and it's worth equipping the expensive Galaxy S25 Edge with a dependable case to ensure long-term protection for your investment. What should I look for in a Galaxy S25 Edge case? As with any of the best Samsung phones, a couple of important factors should be considered when looking for a case for your brand-new Galaxy S25 Edge. You want to ensure the case is sturdy enough to protect the phone, meets your aesthetic preferences, and fits your budget. Since the Galaxy S25 Edge's value proposition lies in its novelty of thinness and lightness, a case for the phone should not add unnecessary weight. It's also important that the case does not interfere with any features you intend to use, like wireless charging. Will a Galaxy S25 Plus case fit the Galaxy S25 Edge? Though both phones have 6.7-inch displays, a case meant for the Galaxy S25 Plus will not fit the Galaxy S25 Edge, and vice versa, due to their differing dimensions. If you have a Galaxy S25 Plus, you can refer to our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus cases to help you figure out what works best for you.
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business Insider
The best iPhone cases in 2025: Top picks from our extensive testing
The best iPhone cases serve several purposes. Worthwhile cases primarily protect your iPhone from scratches, scuffing, and dirt without sacrificing aesthetics or interfering with the phone's functionality. Cases can also add helpful features. We've tested dozens of cases from various brands to select the top picks for this guide, which focuses on the iPhone 16 series. Whether you're looking for high-end protection, an attractive wallet case, or a clear case that won't yellow rapidly, these are the top options we've found for varying use cases and budgets. Among the best iPhone cases we've tested, our top pick for protection is the Otterbox Commuter Series for MagSafe case. It features the brand's comprehensive coverage and exceptional durability in a relatively slim and affordable form. Our first budget recommendation is the Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe case, which offers stellar grip, protection, and MagSafe compatibility for its low price. Our top picks for the best iPhone cases Best for protection: Otterbox Commuter Series for MagSafe case - See at Amazon Best for protection Otterbox is rightfully one of the first case makers that comes to mind when protection is paramount for any of the best phones. While Otterbox's ultra-bulky Defender cases offer unrivaled, all-encompassing defense for the iPhone 16 series, we've found the Commuter Series case provides a better balance of value and protection while sporting a slimmer design that more people would be comfortable using daily. Indeed, we feel very comfortable with the Commuter's protection from our experiences accidentally dropping previous, effectively identical iterations of the case severely, only to find the case and phone unscathed. The Commuter has a durable two-part design: a soft rubber inner shell for excellent shock absorption and a hard outer shell that covers the back and parts of the frame edges for extra protection. The Commuter case also features a cover for the iPhone 16's USB-C port, which is easy to flip open and close for wired charging. It's designed to prevent dust and dirt from entering the USB-C port. If you've ever had to scoop out lint and other debris from an iPhone's charging port, the Commuter case's USB-C cover will help prevent that. The case has a cutout for the new Camera Control button (described in our iPhone 16 review) and soft rubber button covers. The power button feels normal to press, but the volume and Action buttons are a little harder to press than when the iPhone 16 is naked. However, this is a common compromise, not a dealbreaker relative to the case's protection. The Otterbox Commuter case is available for the following iPhone 16 series models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e. Best budget case Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe Case for iPhone 16 The Smartish Gripmunk case is an exceptional budget option for the iPhone 16 series. It's affordable, offers solid protection, and has textured edges to add grip for more security in your hands. Check price at Amazon Check price at Smartish The Gripmunk with MagSafe case from Smartish punches above its affordable $25 (often $20) price tag for its design, features, and overall protection. In fact, it's the first case we'd recommend for most people for its simplicity, performance, and value. The Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 16 is a hardshell plastic case with a textured bumper frame and slight finger grooves for extra grip. It features "air-pocket corners" that Smartish says help with drop protection. The case is available in various colorways, including a clear option. It includes magnets for MagSafe support, a cutout for the Camera Control button, and plastic button covers. The power and volume buttons feel normal to press, but the Action button needs a little extra pressure, as is the case with most cases. The Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe case is available for the following iPhone 16 series models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e. Best leather case Nomad's Modern Leather case is our top pick among the leather cases we've tested for its excellent finish and protective qualities. The case's leather blends well with its black protective hard plastic bumper frame without creases or fold marks. We prefer the Modern Leather Case's hard plastic frame bumper over a fully leather case, as it adds more shock absorption. In our experience, full leather will scuff or even tear with impact, leaving an unpleasant aesthetic. The case's interior features a soft microfiber material for extra shock absorption and protection against micro scratches from particles that squeeze into the case over time. The Modern Leather case includes magnets that support the iPhone 16's MagSafe connectivity. It features a cutout for the Camera Control button that doesn't hinder its functionality. Its aluminum button covers feel premium, and the covers for the Action and power buttons have textured ridges for a pleasing tactile experience. The Nomad Modern Leather case is available for the following iPhone 16 series models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Best wallet case A simple, inexpensive wallet case that's not excessively bulk and offers solid everyday protection, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 by Smartish is an ideal option for most people who want to consolidate their wallet and phone. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 features an open sleeve for up to three cards and cash. It securely holds all contents with a spring-loaded bracket inside, though the plastic back bows slightly outward when the wallet is filled. We actively tried to have cards and cash "accidentally" slip out of the sleeve in a testing environment, and nothing budged. Even when cards were partially sticking out of the sleeve, they wouldn't slip out. Because it's a wallet case, with up to three cards stashed in the back sleeve, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 doesn't support wireless charging or MagSafe, a common compromise for wallet cases. Like Smartish's Gripmunk cases, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 has a textured frame made of slightly softer plastic that offers an enhanced grip. The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 case is available for the following iPhone 16 series models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e. Best clear case There's no substitute for Apple's own Clear Case with MagSafe if you're after a protective clear model with a decently slim profile, seamless MagSafe compatibility, and the least amount of branding that also doesn't yellow over time. Indeed, Apple's clear case has shown the most resistance to yellowing in our long-term testing. We have yet to see any significant yellowing on an Apple clear case we've used for two years. In our experience, Apple's clear case can become slightly damaged or cracked at the corners after a particularly severe impact. However, it's likely to survive most drops in the long run, and we'd readily buy another clear case from Apple if it ever breaks. Apple's clear case for the iPhone 16 series has a sapphire crystal conductive layer over the new Camera Control button that works seamlessly with it in our testing. Our only gripe with any clear case, including Apple's, is that dirt and dust particles visibly build up between the case and the iPhone 16's metal frame. It hasn't caused any micro scratches or scuffing, but it's unsightly. I periodically remove the case, rinse it, and scrub it with a soft microfiber cloth. If $50 is over your budget for a case, we'd easily recommend the Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe case in the clear color option for $20. Though we haven't tested it against yellowing over the long term, its back is made of hard plastic, which is slower to become yellow than softer plastics. The bumper plastic is softer than Apple's, which could lead to faster yellowing, but its grip texture should hide it to an extent. iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Other cases and brands we've tested We tested various cases from all the aforementioned companies alongside models from Zagg, Casetify, Moft, UAG, Moment, PopSockets, ESR, Speck, Peak Design, and other brands. Below are cases we also think are very good, but didn't feature above. Also worth a look Cases to avoid Each of Apple's silicone cases we've used for six months or more, regardless of the iPhone model, has deteriorated into an ugly, ragged, torn-up mess. We like the original look and grip of Apple's silicone case fresh out of the box, but we expect significantly better durability for $50. Also, avoid clear cases primarily or entirely made of soft plastic, as they quickly become yellow relative to harder plastic cases. How we test iPhone cases For this guide, we tested dozens of cases for the iPhone 16 series based on various criteria. We also leaned on our extensive experience with phone cases historically to determine our top picks. Our primary assessment point is the protective build quality of the case's materials and whether it affects the iPhone's functionality. While we won't explicitly damage or drop-test new phones or cases, we've used (and accidentally dropped) previous iterations of most of our selected cases over several iPhone generations. As a result, we can confidently assess which materials tend to offer the best protection. Likewise, from our long-term use of various clear cases, we've found that hard plastic in transparent covers is much more resistant to age- and use-related yellowing than softer, flexible plastic. For leather cases, we look for stretch marks and folds around the corners and sides, which can give the impression that the case was poorly made and is susceptible to damage. We also assess the rest of the case's materials, like plastic, to see if they match the leather's premium nature. We can't resist performing the sniff test on real leather cases, but it doesn't bear on our recommendation. What to look for in iPhone cases The first thing to consider in a case is whether it's designed for your iPhone model and generation. Cases from an older generation sometimes fit newer generations, but this is rare, as detailed in our model-specific case collections below for the iPhone 16 series. Best iPhone 16 cases Best iPhone 16 Plus cases Best iPhone 16 Pro cases Best iPhone 16 Pro Max cases Best iPhone 16e cases The second major thing to consider is how much protection you want, which typically affects a case's bulk. As expected, thicker cases have higher protection potential. Cases made partly of softer materials, like rubber, can absorb more shock than a fully hard plastic case, without too much bulk. The third thing to consider is whether the case has MagSafe compatibility, if that's important to you. Even if it's not a concern now, you may want to adopt MagSafe wireless charging and accessories down the line, and we'd generally recommend most people get a case that supports MagSafe, which has been a feature of the best iPhones since the iPhone 12 series. You can also check whether a case covers the iPhone 16's buttons, including the Camera Control button. We have no issues with button covers, and none of the cases we've tested negatively affect the Camera Control button. Yet, if you know you prefer to press and use the iPhone 16's built-in buttons directly, you should look for a case with cutouts.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parents And Childcare Workers Are Sharing Their "IPad Kid" Horror Stories, And It's A Glimpse Into What Screen Addiction Can Do To Children
I recently asked parents and childcare workers in the BuzzFeed Community to share their experiences and horror stories dealing with the dreaded "iPad kids." The results will make you wish we were back to using telephones and box televisions: 1."The school I teach at has introduced iPads for all students (ages 11-18), and whilst the older kids are pretty good and use them for studying, the younger years cannot function without them. I'll walk through the school on my break and literally see groups of students sitting next to each other playing Minecraft and not talking to each other. They also can't handwrite legibly and will scream/swear at or physically attack adults who try to take away the iPad. Very sad. " —Anonymous, UK 2."My ex-boyfriend was (and is) a MAJOR iPad kid. I remember one day we were in class and I wanted to talk to him. I paused what he was watching, and he hissed at me. YES, HISSED LIKE A CAT. I ran to my other friend. She had this horrified look on her face. She asked me what the heck just happened, and I shrugged. Dodged a bullet there." —mrh9923 3."I work in a restaurant, and many of the people we serve are rich. I have a lot of tables where the kids are iPad kids, but one time, I was standing at a different table, and I heard the parents talking to their kids, and them whining about their cell phones. The mom kept saying 'not now' and then the kid just started screaming at the top of his lungs (he was 4 or 5) until she gave him her phone. That happens a lot, and it's so cringey and irritating." —Anonymous, 25, Santa Cruz, CA 4."Every time I go to a restaurant, there is always at least one table with a group of four people. Two parents, and two kids on iPads, the entire time watching god knows what. There isn't any conversation or interaction at the table. My generation sorta sucks." —combustionmann159 5."I babysit an iPad kid. They only hired me to find activities to distract them from their iPads so they don't have to deal with fallout. Anyway, they need parental controls because that 8-year-old has been exposed to too much. For example, one time he asked me if my sister and her boyfriend ever got naked and kissed. He's said a handful of sexualized comments that make me worried about the stuff he's watching." —Anonymous, 22, Vermont 6."Grandad brings in an iPad in a Defender Otterbox with the screen shattered. Little Timmy (he's 4 years old) got mad because someone killed him on Fortnite, so he smashed the iPad. Okay, we can repair the screen. Take it out of the Otterbox to get the model number off the it goes from an iPad to an iBoomerang. Yes. The little rabid tyke literally BENT THE IPAD in his rage, and the Otterbox was the only thing keeping it straight. "I gave it back to Grandpa and told him we couldn't repair it. He looked at me and asked, 'Well, what the hell am I supposed to do with it?' I'm not going to tell my response here, but these children are DEMONS with iPads." —thesettledpirate Related: Where Do You Fall On These Controversial "Would You Rather" Questions? 7."My brother once got so mad at playing Roblox, he started screaming and crying, then he struck the iPad with his knee, snapping it in half with glass shards flying like grenade shrapnel, breaking the iPad I use for school." —Anonymous 8."I work in childcare over the summers and had a camper who I knew was a bit of an iPad kid. He was always drawing the guys from the Minecraft YouTube videos he would watch. Well, camp ended for the summer, and I came back the next year, delighted to see this camper had returned, but was perplexed to see that he'd returned having developed a British accent. I asked him about it, and he said he'd started speaking with the accent because of how much Minecraft YouTube he watched." —Anonymous Related: Which Disney Princess Are You? Build A $500 Outfit To Find Out 9."My son was an iPad kid. I say 'was' because he stopped using it (not by choice) at age 14. This was because I found an email printed out when I was cleaning his bedroom from a girl named 'Kiloni.' I was shocked because I had never heard of this girl before, and I had never seen anything on his iPad that showed him communicating outside of friends' texts. The email was obviously from a gold digger as she stated how much she wanted to 'do things' with him, but they couldn't be together unless he paid for her flight from London. It stated the various 'ideas' she had been thinking about, such as how he would never want to leave her and how she would leave him satisfied. I searched and found many more emails, each more suggestive than the last. "When my son finally got the nerve to ask me for money, I confronted him and took away the iPad. I don't think kids should have technology unless they're old enough to buy it themselves! Parents, don't let your kids become iPad kids." —Anonymous 10."About a month ago, my wife and I were trying to talk to our daughter. She was looking down at her iPad (I'm not surprised). When I looked down to see what she was watching, she was watching 'Last to Pee Wins'!?!?? I don't know what she's doing, but it concerns me." —Anonymous, 37 11."Most iPad kids play mobile games and watch PBS all day, right? Well, not my niece. She's 6, and has had an iPad since age 4 (good job, parents) and somehow has managed to find succinct, toddler-digestible versions of Marxist literature. I work in service, and the last time I talked about my job around her, she told me that I'm 'a slave for the upper class.' I have no idea if she even knows what she means, but it's hilarious either way. On several occasions, she has also brought shockingly nuanced takes on class-related issues, for a 6-year-old. I'm not joking. Keep in mind, this girl doesn't know her multiplication tables." —Anonymous, 29, Wisconsin 12."I've watched kids walking around in stores with their iPads (on full volume, no less) glued to their faces. They aren't watching where they're going and will crash into stuff and lose their parents because they fall behind. They'll scream if the parent tries to take it away." —Anonymous 13."I'm a kindergarten teacher, so I have no shortage of stories of kids who fight tooth and nail every time we need to put away the iPads and switch to a different activity in class. my husband and I visited Disney World last summer with our best friend. We kept running into this same family, and every time we saw them, their early-elementary-age kid was glued to his iPad. As we were boarding a ride and getting ready to move, he still had his tablet in his hand, blasting noise from a game with bright light coming off of it. I very politely asked them to put it away, and mom snatched it from him, turned it over in her lap, and snapped back at me, 'YOU'RE WELCOME!' "During the ride, the kid fidgeted and asked his mom how long he would stay and if she could give him back the iPad. When we finally finished the ride, she just handed it right back to him and loudly complained to the rest of her family that we child-free adults shouldn't be taking up precious Disney space for people who do have kids, because we have no idea what it's like. Meanwhile, I'm thinking, 'I'm literally an elementary teacher, and your kid is so brainwashed they can't even be engaged with fricking DISNEY WORLD!'" —Anonymous, 25, VA 14."My spoiled cousin was at my graduation party with an iPad. My aunt tried to take it from her because my grandmother was starting a speech. She took the iPad, and my cousin, who was 5, started screaming and crying. Then picked up a plate of pasta and threw it on the ground. Then she ran to me to beg me to ask her mom to give it back to her, because I'd been babysitting her since she was an infant. When I said no, she smacked my glass of RED wine onto me in my $120 white dress that I had to return the next day." "Afterward, my aunt and uncle took her outside, then proceeded to Venmo me $150 for the dress and emotional damage. On top of the $ 200 they gave me for graduating from college." —echobri younger sibling (seventh grade) tells me horror stories of iPad kids, and I am SHOCKED. The worst one is in science class, where kids have their computers out constantly. I don't just mean they won't put them away, I mean they're on them the entire period, have full on screaming battles with the teacher and each other about it, and get sent to the office about once a day because they're so addicted to their computers they'll do anything to stay on them. These kids are also exposed to so much stuff at such a young age that they don't know how to talk without using brainrot words, or cursing, or just saying plain inappropriate things, and they don't know how to hold a real conversation. I asked one of my siblings' friends a question about a sticker on his water bottle that I found interesting, and he said, 'Yeah, it's a sticker,' and went right back to playing whatever he was playing, STILL WITH HIS HEADPHONES IN. I am so ready for this era to be over." —mellowbutterfly188 things feel a little grim after reading these, here's a dash of hope from a BuzzFeed Community member: "I don't want to sound smug about it — I'm just trying to reassure you that there are still kids out there who aren't addicted to their screens. My kids sat through almost three hours of a band festival with only a book and a piece of paper on the most cramped bleachers. Play the long game — kids won't need devices if they have toys, parental attention, and time to imagine. My kids are far from perfect, but I think they'll be good members of society. And the same is true for many of their friends. There's still hope!" —putzik47 Do you have an "iPad kid" horror story? Tell us in the comments below! Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity. Also in Community: I'll Reveal Your Reputation Based On The Desserts You Eat Also in Community: Make A Really, Really, Really Pretty Disney Princess Dress And I'll Let You Know Your Ideal Home Design Style Also in Community: It's Weird, But I Can Pair Your Personality Up 100% To A Type Of Meal, But You Have To Eat Some Global Foods First
Buzz Feed
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
iPad Kid Horror Stories From Parents And Caregivers
I recently asked parents and childcare workers in the BuzzFeed Community to share their experiences and horror stories dealing with the dreaded "iPad kids." The results will make you wish we were back to using telephones and box televisions: "The school I teach at has introduced iPads for all students (ages 11-18), and whilst the older kids are pretty good and use them for studying, the younger years cannot function without them. I'll walk through the school on my break and literally see groups of students sitting next to each other playing Minecraft and not talking to each other. They also can't handwrite legibly and will scream/swear at or physically attack adults who try to take away the iPad. Very sad. " "My ex-boyfriend was (and is) a MAJOR iPad kid. I remember one day we were in class and I wanted to talk to him. I paused what he was watching, and he hissed at me. YES, HISSED LIKE A CAT. I ran to my other friend. She had this horrified look on her face. She asked me what the heck just happened, and I shrugged. Dodged a bullet there." "I work in a restaurant, and many of the people we serve are rich. I have a lot of tables where the kids are iPad kids, but one time, I was standing at a different table, and I heard the parents talking to their kids, and them whining about their cell phones. The mom kept saying 'not now' and then the kid just started screaming at the top of his lungs (he was 4 or 5) until she gave him her phone. That happens a lot, and it's so cringey and irritating." "Every time I go to a restaurant, there is always at least one table with a group of four people. Two parents, and two kids on iPads, the entire time watching god knows what. There isn't any conversation or interaction at the table. My generation sorta sucks." "I babysit an iPad kid. They only hired me to find activities to distract them from their iPads so they don't have to deal with fallout. Anyway, they need parental controls because that 8-year-old has been exposed to too much. For example, one time he asked me if my sister and her boyfriend ever got naked and kissed. He's said a handful of sexualized comments that make me worried about the stuff he's watching." "Grandad brings in an iPad in a Defender Otterbox with the screen shattered. Little Timmy (he's 4 years old) got mad because someone killed him on Fortnite, so he smashed the iPad. Okay, we can repair the screen. Take it out of the Otterbox to get the model number off the it goes from an iPad to an iBoomerang. Yes. The little rabid tyke literally BENT THE IPAD in his rage, and the Otterbox was the only thing keeping it straight. "My brother once got so mad at playing Roblox, he started screaming and crying, then he struck the iPad with his knee, snapping it in half with glass shards flying like grenade shrapnel, breaking the iPad I use for school." "I work in childcare over the summers and had a camper who I knew was a bit of an iPad kid. He was always drawing the guys from the Minecraft YouTube videos he would watch. Well, camp ended for the summer, and I came back the next year, delighted to see this camper had returned, but was perplexed to see that he'd returned having developed a British accent. I asked him about it, and he said he'd started speaking with the accent because of how much Minecraft YouTube he watched." "My son was an iPad kid. I say 'was' because he stopped using it (not by choice) at age 14. This was because I found an email printed out when I was cleaning his bedroom from a girl named 'Kiloni.' I was shocked because I had never heard of this girl before, and I had never seen anything on his iPad that showed him communicating outside of friends' texts. The email was obviously from a gold digger as she stated how much she wanted to 'do things' with him, but they couldn't be together unless he paid for her flight from London. It stated the various 'ideas' she had been thinking about, such as how he would never want to leave her and how she would leave him satisfied. I searched and found many more emails, each more suggestive than the last. "About a month ago, my wife and I were trying to talk to our daughter. She was looking down at her iPad (I'm not surprised). When I looked down to see what she was watching, she was watching 'Last to Pee Wins'!?!?? I don't know what she's doing, but it concerns me." "Most iPad kids play mobile games and watch PBS all day, right? Well, not my niece. She's 6, and has had an iPad since age 4 (good job, parents) and somehow has managed to find succinct, toddler-digestible versions of Marxist literature. I work in service, and the last time I talked about my job around her, she told me that I'm 'a slave for the upper class.' I have no idea if she even knows what she means, but it's hilarious either way. On several occasions, she has also brought shockingly nuanced takes on class-related issues, for a 6-year-old. I'm not joking. Keep in mind, this girl doesn't know her multiplication tables." "I've watched kids walking around in stores with their iPads (on full volume, no less) glued to their faces. They aren't watching where they're going and will crash into stuff and lose their parents because they fall behind. They'll scream if the parent tries to take it away." "I'm a kindergarten teacher, so I have no shortage of stories of kids who fight tooth and nail every time we need to put away the iPads and switch to a different activity in class. my husband and I visited Disney World last summer with our best friend. We kept running into this same family, and every time we saw them, their early-elementary-age kid was glued to his iPad. As we were boarding a ride and getting ready to move, he still had his tablet in his hand, blasting noise from a game with bright light coming off of it. I very politely asked them to put it away, and mom snatched it from him, turned it over in her lap, and snapped back at me, 'YOU'RE WELCOME!' "My spoiled cousin was at my graduation party with an iPad. My aunt tried to take it from her because my grandmother was starting a speech. She took the iPad, and my cousin, who was 5, started screaming and crying. Then picked up a plate of pasta and threw it on the ground. Then she ran to me to beg me to ask her mom to give it back to her, because I'd been babysitting her since she was an infant. When I said no, she smacked my glass of RED wine onto me in my $120 white dress that I had to return the next day." My younger sibling (seventh grade) tells me horror stories of iPad kids, and I am SHOCKED. The worst one is in science class, where kids have their computers out constantly. I don't just mean they won't put them away, I mean they're on them the entire period, have full on screaming battles with the teacher and each other about it, and get sent to the office about once a day because they're so addicted to their computers they'll do anything to stay on them. These kids are also exposed to so much stuff at such a young age that they don't know how to talk without using brainrot words, or cursing, or just saying plain inappropriate things, and they don't know how to hold a real conversation. I asked one of my siblings' friends a question about a sticker on his water bottle that I found interesting, and he said, 'Yeah, it's a sticker,' and went right back to playing whatever he was playing, STILL WITH HIS HEADPHONES IN. I am so ready for this era to be over." If things feel a little grim after reading these, here's a dash of hope from a BuzzFeed Community member: "I don't want to sound smug about it — I'm just trying to reassure you that there are still kids out there who aren't addicted to their screens. My kids sat through almost three hours of a band festival with only a book and a piece of paper on the most cramped bleachers. Play the long game — kids won't need devices if they have toys, parental attention, and time to imagine. My kids are far from perfect, but I think they'll be good members of society. And the same is true for many of their friends. There's still hope!" Do you have an "iPad kid" horror story? Tell us in the comments below!
