Smart devices are everywhere — at our fingertips, on our wrists, in our cars and in our homes. For better or worse, these devices are here to stay.

According to Consumer Affairs, U.S. households own an average of 21 connected devices, covering 13 different categories. From smart TVs and streaming devices to wearables like smart watches and voice-activated smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, many of the devices we use every day are connected to the internet. They provide instant gratification by answering questions, completing easy tasks and even tracking our steps. But there’s a cost to being always connected.

“We’re concerned about the potential negative impacts of excessive screen use on the ways that youth experience their environments. If your whole space is about instant gratification, how do you tolerate not having instant gratification? How do you sit with frustrations and not have an immediate answer,” says Amy Sass, MD, adolescent medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

This growing dependence on smart technology raises important questions about how it may be shaping our brains, especially in terms of attention span, patience and emotional resilience.

How smart devices may impact your child’s health

Today’s smartphones have more computing power than a 1980s supercomputer. In fact, they are 5,000 times faster, with the average Google search taking just 1.65 seconds to load. Within a few quick taps, children have access to a world of information. While that’s helpful when writing a paper or studying for a test, the information overload can be negative.

“It’s like drinking from a firehose of information,” Dr. Sass says. “We know there’s a natural curiosity, but at the same time, it’s sensory overdrive."

On top of sensory overload, social media and other apps increase the risk of behavioral problems and create safety concerns including cyberbullying, online predators and exposure to harmful content.  According to a 2023 survey by the Cybersmile Foundation, social media has a huge impact on how young people view themselves. 9 out of 10 responded that they see themselves negatively and feel dissatisfied.  What we see on social media isn’t always real. It’s often curated profiles featuring only a person’s best moments. The constant comparison to others online can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, body dysmorphia and more.

Even seemingly healthy features, like tracking steps on a smart watch, can contribute to unrealistic expectations or obsessive behavior. This can lead to anxiety if daily goals aren’t met.

“Kids are vulnerable. They’re working on their self-image. They’re not sophisticated media consumers,” Dr. Sass says. “They don’t know how to filter helpful information and not helpful information.”

Screentime guidelines

On average, teens are spending 8.5 hours a day on their devices, according to Common Sense Media’s latest report. That’s the equivalent of a work or school day, far beyond the recommended screentime.

Dr. Sass says nonacademic screentime should be capped at two hours per day. Parents should take note of their child’s screentime habits, too. Here are some questions to ask yourself.

• Are they hyper focused on their phone or device?
• Is their screentime taking away from engaging with friends and family in person?
• Are they less interested in trying new things?
• Is their phone use contributing to inadequate sleep?

These are all signs that your child may be using their devices too much. These habits can contribute to negative health effects, such as disrupted sleep quality. As screen time increases, physical activity also decreases. Over time, this can lead to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

Keeping tabs while creating a safe space

As a parent or caregiver, one of our jobs is to keep our child safe. Just as we teach kids to wear a seatbelt in the car or make healthy food choices, establishing safeguards around smart devices is essential.

“When kids are using a smart device, if they have questions about what they’re seeing or see something that they know isn’t right, you want them to know they can talk to you about it. You can figure it out together,” Dr. Sass says.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all model for family rules and expectations, there should be a consensus amongst parents and caregivers in the home. Here are some example expectations:

• Parents will know their kids’ passwords.
• Location sharing should be limited to trusted family members.
• Clear and appropriate texting guidelines will be established.
• Phones and other devices are not allowed in the bedroom.
• As children grow older, their access to devices and apps may gradually expand.

Be proactive, open and honest. First, acknowledge that while the child is responsible for the device, ultimately, the caregiver owns the device and the internet connectivity.

“I want to respect your privacy, but I do want to have a sense of what you’re looking at,” Dr. Sass suggests telling kids. “Ask kids to show you texts or ask them to show you who they’re following. That’s a way to check in. That should be the expectation.”

During this conversation, it’s important to establish a safe and supportive environment where young people feel comfortable coming to their caregivers when there is a problem. “If parents slam them in the beginning and say things like ‘You can’t do this,’ they are less likely to confide in their parents. I recommend that openness,” Dr. Sass says.

Remember, this conversation shouldn’t only happen once. Dr. Sass encourages families to have ongoing conversations about kids’ media use and digital management skills.

Staying up to date with the most relevant apps and websites

Technology is always changing. With new apps, devices and social media sites, it’s hard to keep up. Caregivers should be familiar with what’s trending among young people such as (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube) and what’s not (Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter). Dr. Sass recommends using resources like Commonsense Media to stay up to date on the latest technologies and apps.

“The reality is that a teenager will know a lot more about social media than their parents will.  Parents can use this as an opportunity for their teens to teach them about the latest, greatest app or game.  This is another way of checking in with your teen and their technology use,” she says.

When parents have some awareness of what their teens are exploring with digital media, they can anticipate potential risks, set appropriate boundaries and guide them with confidence. 

Empowering your child to build good smart device habits

As you allow your children access to smart devices, it’s important to build and model healthy habits. Whether it’s removing devices during mealtimes or charging them in a central area overnight, these consistent routines, modeled by parents, can have a big impact. Remind your child that access to these devices is a privilege.

“It’s really stepping back and thinking about what you’re giving your kid access to with smart devices. It’s much more than a phone,” Dr. Sass says.

Beyond rules, it’s about helping kids build internal motivation to make thoughtful choices. This can mean praising them when they choose to take a break on their own or asking them how they feel after spending time on their devices. Parental guidance plays a crucial role in shaping healthy technology habits.

While it may feel overwhelming at first, Dr. Sass reminds parents to keep perspective. There are still many positives to technology. The world really is your child’s oyster, even if it comes with a screen.