Expert shares tips for managing your child's cellphone use

Now that the Christmas presents are all unwrapped, the kids are probably trying out all their new toys and devices. If your kids found a new cell phone under the tree, health experts have some advice about the best ways to handle the technology.

"As far as cell phones and when kids should get those, I think that ends up being a family decision," said Dr. Adam Keating with Cleveland Children's Clinic.

The pediatrician says there could be some unintended consequences of introducing the technology.

"They are showing a significant amount of distraction and decreases in learning as well as decreasing the ability for kids to have face-to-face interaction where they learn how to socially interact with each other," he said.

New research published in the National Library of Medicine seems to show that more screen time was associated with lower well-being in children aged 2 to 17. The study also found that children with high screen time levels showed less curiosity, self-control, and emotional stability.

"It's certainly not the only reason why we're having some of our increases in loneliness, anxiety, and depression among kids, but cell phones are certainly a contributing factor," he said.

Keating says setting ground rules is crucial, including if they can access the internet or social media, putting on parental controls, and setting screen time limits.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than two hours of screen time per day. And I'd say for preschoolers that should be even less," Keating said.

Important steps to make the new technology safe for every child at every age.