Does my 3-year-old need an MP3 player?

My three year old Dorian (the muffin-smeared wretch on the right) is an absolute digital addict. He speaks Internet fluently, for a baby at least, using the terms "click," "download," and "online" appropriately and often. He plays Flash games for literally hours at a time without break--he's a Nick Jr. branding guy's dream--and just adores PC and console gaming. Unlike Mommy, he's a Sonic freak. He really digs Civilization III and can't wait to see the warriors wail on each other. Sometimes it's hard to get him to bed because he wants to stay in the digital world just a few minutes more. Even my Dad, who was at the forefront of the computer revolution in the sixties, would have found it hard to imagine his grandson's absolute commitment to computing.

I guess that explains why marketers at Fischer-Price, a company that has kept its place in the world of toys for a reason, is introducing a baby MP3 device it tags the Kid-Tough FP3 Player. The device, which retails for $70, is part of Fischer-Price's "Preschool Electronics" product line. Somehow, this gives me the sense that Dori is not as unique as I thought he was. Amazing as it seems to a person raised on television and books--both of which are physically inert and can't be changed by interaction--I see that my baby is going to grow up in a world where his toys respond to his command in amazing ways. I'm in no way unhappy about this, mind you...I think Dori can handle the world he's living in. I just can't help but find it a bit disorienting.