A study conducted by BMC Psychiatry between 2011 and 2017 on problematic smartphone usage by children and young people reported problematic usage was reported in approximately one in every four children. It was accompanied by increased odds of poorer mental health. In the report's conclusion, BMC considered problematic phone usage to be an evolving public health concern that requires greater study to determine the boundary between helpful and harmful technology use.2. Healthy Limits Vary Per ChildDetermining what constitutes too much technology is a challenge for all parents. Katie Dorn, a former K-12 school counselor and co-founder of EmpowerU, a program designed to help students replace anxiety and depression with confidence, advised The Epoch Times on the subject. "When we think about how much is too much, it's really about how screen time impacts the rest of your child's life. Ask yourself: Is it affecting their mood? Are they neglecting responsibilities like schoolwork or chores?"

"If social media use or phone time is leading to anxiety, irritability, or even loss of sleep, those are red flags," she continued. "It's not just about counting hours; it's about balance. Experts suggest keeping recreational screen time under two hours a day, but every child is different, so it's essential to monitor how they're handling it mentally and emotionally."

"It is important to educate children about the difference between social media content and reality, which can help mitigate risks, especially when usage exceeds two hours per day, which has been linked to mental health issues," she said. "Creating plans about what is appropriate and what is not can also be useful."

When asked what constitutes excessive use, Dr. Riseberg said: "Too much time on social media can be determined by the impact it has on the child or teen's daily life. Studies have linked excessive use to increased loneliness, depression, and anxiety. If social media use begins to interfere with responsibilities, mental health, or personal goals, it may indicate there is an overuse of social media."

She said excessive time online can lead to several issues. "We're seeing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and even feelings of isolation in kids who spend too much time on social media. They're constantly comparing themselves to the curated images they see, which can harm their self-esteem. Physically, they're also more sedentary, which can contribute to sleep disturbances and weight gain. Socially, it can prevent them from building real-world communication skills. So, it's critical to find that balance and ensure they're engaging in activities that promote both mental and physical health."

But he's seen instances where children inadvertently misuse these devices. "A child shared his home address while playing a video game. Later, a pickup truck arrived at the child's home. Luckily, the child's mother was home so nothing happened ... however, yikes! I fully support monitoring phone and internet use to some degree."

Educational behaviorist Robyne Hanley-Dafoe recommends open communication. "Having ongoing conversations with kids and teens about online safety and responsible internet use is key," she recommended. "As an adult, you may not engage with the same apps or platforms as your child or teen, making it important that you stay curious about their online activity. Asking open-ended questions about the apps they use and the content they encounter invites them to share their experiences. This helps them to feel comfortable discussing their online interactions, ultimately providing valuable insights into their digital world, and helping you guide them in making responsible choices."

"There are great parental control tools out there that allow you to set time limits, filter content, and monitor usage," she said. "I think phones with limits on who can be called or what online connections can be made are a great option for younger kids or those just starting out with phones."

Educational behaviorist Robyne Hanley-Dafoe agrees, advising that parental control software is a very efficient way of monitoring a child's internet and phone usage. In particular, she advocates for software that allows parents to set time limits on specific apps, overall screen time, and block harmful or inappropriate content.

"Use this as a learning moment to talk about online safety and what kinds of behaviors or connections should be avoided," she recommends. "Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open, so your child feels safe coming to you if they encounter something troubling."

Parents exercising a proactive, common-sense awareness of their child's online activity may be the best way to help a child or young teen avoid developing a problem.