Kids and Smartphones
It seems like every generation of parents has a collective freak-out when it comes to kids and new technologies; television and video games each inspired widespread handwringing among grown-ups. But the increasing capabilities of today's mobile devices – combined with the allure of social media – seems to set smartphones apart from older screen-based media. Parents, teenagers, and researchers agree that smartphones are having a profound impact on the way adolescents today communicate with one another and spend their free time. And while some experts say it's too soon to ring alarm bells about smartphones, others argue that we understand enough about young people's vulnerabilities to recommend restricting kids' escalating phone habits.