smartphone ownership among teens has expanded dramatically over the past six years increasing from 41% in 2012 to almost 90% in 2018 recent research shows that technology negatively impacts learning concentration and the social and emotional development of youth excessive time immersed in technology often contributes to increases in anger and isolation as well as anxiety and depressive disorders on the positive side the latest research indicates that technology can be a useful learning tool and that a limited amount of smartphone use has become an important part of adolescent socialization as technology becomes an integral part of the human experience it's important to remember that too much screen time has a significant negative impact on the overall health and wellness of children and teens here are a few tips for how to best navigate this new parenting landscape turn off all technology at least one hour before bedtime to help promote sleep the light from the screens decreases the brain's production of melatonin which tells us it's time for sleep do not let children sleep with a smartphone or a tablet in their room designate specific times for device use and have everyone in the family honor those times that are designated as tech free keep computers smartphones and tablets and family spaces this practice will keep children from isolating in their rooms and will allow for parents to keep an active eye on their child's online activity most importantly model for your children a balanced relationship with your own technology after all there's no better way for children to learn than by watching their parents you