Suri Cruise's iPad: Privilege Or Necessity?

A few weeks ago, E! reported that famous bebé Suri Cruise owns, in addition to "over 100 pairs of shoes and a wardrobe that would rival any A-lister," the coveted iPad.

An eyewitness told Life & Style that Suri recently put her stuffed animals aside to use a drawing program on the expensive device while Tom and Katie carried on a conversation with dining partners. She played with the iPad for about 20 minutes before the family headed out of the restaurant just before midnight.

With a current price tag of $499 and up, are her parents spoiling her — or are they simply preparing her for our "Minority Report" future?

Technologists and science fiction fans have known for decades that touch screen devices would inevitably be a part of everyday life. The New York Times reports that back in 1972, computer scientist Alan Kay outlined the specs for dream hand-held computer of the future, with rechargeable batteries a touch screen and the ability to deliver books. In describing his Dynabook,
he wrote “such a device is possible that a target price of $500 is not totally outrageous.”

Grown ups may be the current primary demo for the expensive iPad, but according to Fast Company, the device and its forthcoming tablet competition have the potential to become indispensable tools for children. The device can act as a picture book, coloring book, audiobook, TV, educational game player, and visual toy.

Industry leaders predict that touch screen devices will replace books with interactive, connected apps, and in the process, kids becoming indoctrinated with technology, adopting to new interfaces and developments easily due to early exposure. Teens are already developing apps for the iPad, signaling a shift in how young people will communicate.

Nancy Knowlton, the chief executive of SMART Technologies, told the Washington Post that that schools are desperate to find ways to engage multi-tasking, tech-savvy kids, who often play video games before they can read and that some "strictly gathered research data," along with anecdotal evidence, show that her company's products work.

With the cost of touch screen devices rapidly dropping, more companies are developing touched-based apps for children. Penguin Books recently released an Apple-like teaser-ad showing their ideas in more detail:

Many parents can't afford to buy an iPad, but it's a good idea to think about how the technology you do own can be used as teaching tools. You don't have to be a millionaire to give your child a competitive edge; here are some free ways to prepare for a touch screen world:

Educational Games
The next time you hand off your phone to distract your children in the car or grocery store, be sure there's more for them to interact with than just music. There are many free educational mobile games that can help your children improve their reading, math, and critical thinking skills.

Surprise your kids by asking them to play educational games with you on your home computer. Take turns picking new games and discuss what you learned together. Make learning fun!

Know What Your Children Use Online
What is your child's favorite web site? How does it work? How often do they use it? Without knowing these things, it's a challenge to connect with your children on topics like internet safety, access and time management. Let your children teach you, so that in turn you can teach them responsible Internet use.

Test New Devices
You don't have to own everything to understand how it works. Make family trips to stores that
allow you to demo the latest gadgets. Learn how to use smartphones, the iPad and other new technologies for free, while creating fun teaching moments for you and your family. Knowledge is power!

How do use technology for educational purposes? Would you ever buy your child an iPad? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Education, iPad, Suri Cruz, Technology