What a ridiculous thing to say. Why shouldn't a 3 year old be allowed to play on it? There are plenty of child friendly apps out there. My 16 month old son likes to play on it. You need to move with the times, kids love this type of stuff and it's as much a part of growing up as learning how to use a pencil.
With regards to social interaction, that's one of iPad greatest assets, sharing with family and friends, rather than being tucked away in the study out of the way.
How about getting on the floor with the 16 month old or three year old and playing fire truck, or giving horse rides. Three year olds "accidentally" delete your e-mail because you give it to them, and then go about your business. Kind of like sticking a tape of that purple dinosaur in the vcr and telling them to behave while mommie or daddy entertains their b/f , g/f, or whatever. If they are sitting on your lap, while playing with that child friendly app, how does your important e-mail get deleted ?
Dude when I have people over, we don't sit around the computer, we work on an old car, fish, hunt, go four wheeling, or run a train on the neighbor lady.
Dude, change ain't always for the better ...
Yes I have three kids. The youngest is 18. Their mother was a stay at home mom. Granted during that time we didn't drive new cars, but the were raised by us, not a computer, tv, vcr, dvd player, or child care facility.
I may be wrong but guess you might not have children yet?
My 19month daughter loves the iPad-we read the books etc and she loves the drawing apps.
Kids are going to grow up with this stuff-and the interfaces seem to make sense right away (fitting the natural instinct to touch what you want)
The key word is WE. Because its WE, I doubt that she accidentally deletes your e-mails. You use it no differently than I used coloring books and story books with my kids.