The Sandringham Hotel courts controversy by giving kids iPads instead of play equipment
A Melbourne pub’s decision to replace its children’s play equipment with an iPad station has rankled some regular patrons.
Following a revamp, The Sandringham Hotel in the bayside suburb of Sandringham removed the play equipment, replacing it with multiple iPads free for children to use.
“My first thought was ‘This is disgusting, is this how the next generation has become? That the kids can’t even sit for dinner?’,” a mother-of-two, who has been a patron for years, told the Bayside Leader.
“I’ve never taken my kids out and shoved an iPad in front of them, I’d rather hire a babysitter and leave them at home.
“I know a playground doesn’t suit everyone. I’m not sure why it was taken out, maybe it was dangerous. But Jesus Christ — there’s more danger in technology.”
The pub’s manager, Erson Carbajosa, said the play equipment had been removed to “get new customers”.
“We’ve had people complaining about not having a kids’ area but things change,” Carbajosa said.
“Look, we’ve got colouring sheets if they don’t want the kids to go to the iPad station, they’ve got options.”
Sheridan Randall, 29th April 2019
