Share
9th January 2024
03:05pm GMT
Using electronic devices such as iPads or phones to keep your kids entertained is fair game.
With millions of videos to keep them busy on YouTube and plenty of games to download, it's a pretty solid way to get some quiet around the house.
However, one mum has issued an urgent warning after she made a shocking discovery when she checked in on her daughter while she played on hers.
Mel Watts took to social media after saying she felt an electrical charge from her daughter's back when she was using the device while it was on charge.
"Last night when I was saying goodnight to Indie I was rubbing her back and I could feel this really weird feeling. I thought it was something on her skin,' Mel shared in an Instagram clip.
"She was playing on her iPad so I got my husband Nolan to come and he felt it too. We realised it was a current coming through the iPad, we've never felt it before."
The mum and dad then proceeded to give a demonstration by holding the iPad as it was plugged into charge.
They each touch each other's bare shoulders and claim they can feel the current that Mel felt on their daughter's back.
The puzzled mum also enlisted the opinion of an electrician as her concerns over her daughter's safety grew.
"An electrician came over and he couldn't feel it until we realised he was wearing boots, we told him to take them off and he could feel it too."
After Mel shared her worries online, many social media users were quick to back her claims about using charging electronic devices.
"I get this when I use my work laptop on my lap when it’s plugged in. Surely not good," one wrote.
"I get this if my laptop is plugged in! If it’s on my lap and I like rub my husbands shoulder you feel the static/velvet like buzz sensation but take the charger out and it goes away," another added.
"Never use a phone or iPhone while on charge," a third urged.
"My kids aren't allowed to play their devices while they're charging. I am petrified they'll blow up, plus a flat device is a good time to turn them off without whinging," another wrote.
According to Apple's official website, some of their devices can generate static electricity during use.
"Static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged," the statement reads.
"This condition is similar to dragging your feet across a carpet and receiving a static shock when you touch a doorknob."
"This condition isn't limited to Apple hardware. Static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be charged through any brand of earbuds."
Explore more on these topics:
