OPINION | Phil Paleologos: Device Addiction is Real

iPhones and children are a toxic pair and Apple should confront the phone addiction.

A lot of us parents and grandparents are worried about the perpetually expanding obsessions with technology. We're not the only ones concerned. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, it describes how two heavyweight Apple shareholders are pushing for a comprehensive study of iPhone addiction in children and how their use can affect mental health. So far, Apple is declining comment. Figures, but doesn't surprise me.

Until Apple and other companies do something to cut down on the fast-growing mental and emotional dependency on electronic devices, parents must draw up strict screen time rules, having screen-free meals, keeping the devices away from the bedroom during sleeping time, relearning analog objects like real books and planning tech-free days for the family to be together.

Apple, Google Phones, even Facebook, and Twitter have gotten good at getting us to go for another click, like another dopamine hit! Well, they now have a responsibility to start helping us - and mostly our kids - manage the new digital addictions.

Editor’s Note: Phil Paleologos is the morning talk show host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6am-10am. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.