Social Dilemma-Is It Okay to Let Your Kids Watch An Ipad at Dinner?

Today's social dilemma came from something that we saw happen quite a bit while we were vacationing in DisneyWorld.  It seemed that every time we sat down to eat a meal, whether it was breakfast,  lunch or dinner, if there were kids at one of the tables next to us, their parents would inevitably pull out an ipad and let the child watch it while everyone was having dinner.   I didn't think it was a big deal, but two of the friends I was with, who are both teachers, thought it was horrible.   Mainly because the ipads weren't a last resort when the kids were having a tantrum and causing a scene.  The kids were fine, but the parents still pulled out the ipads and let the kids watch them.   The reason I didn't think it was a big deal was because, as I've said in the past, I was raised by the TV.  Not because my parents were bad at what they did, but because there were five of us, and trying to keep us all under control and still getting two minutes to themselves was impossible so if we watched TV so they could have a minute, then fine by me.  So I feel the same way about the ipad.  However, my friends who are teachers said the parents should at least TRY to interact with the kids first before giving up and giving them the ipad.  And believe me, that was NOT happening.  So I ask you this morning, what do you think?  Okay to let the kids watch the ipads at the meal, or should the parents try to interact so the kids are not so dependent on the electronics.  Let me know what you think on the 98-3 TRY Facebook page.