Laugh & Learn

Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) has filed complaints with the FTC against Fisher-Price and Open Solutions for misleading marketing of “Laugh and Learn” educational mobile and tablet apps. According to CCFC:

Both Fisher-Price and Open Solutions claim that their mobile apps will “teach” babies skills and information—including words and numbers—before they are even old enough to take their first steps. But neither company offers any evidence to back up their claims. To date, not a single credible scientific study has shown that babies can acquire language or math skills from interacting with screens. In addition screen time may be harmful for babies.

Russ Crupnick, senior vice president for industry analysis at the NPD Group, a market research firm, told the New York Times, “a lot of parents think these apps are very educational, especially for younger kids.”

The FTC confirmed that they received the complaints but declined to comment on them.

Update: Open Solutions has stopped making educational claims about its apps for babies.