Smartphones Made His Kids ‘moody’ And ‘withdrawn.’ Now He Wants To Ban Them For Preteens.

Colorado dad and Denver-area anesthesiologist Tim Farnum has always understood the intrigue of modern technology. Smartphones, tablets and unfettered Internet access connect us to faraway corners of the world and make life – and movie watching – all the more convenient. But the father of five is not convinced these devices are beneficial for children, a conclusion he came to after his two youngest sons, ages 11 and 13, got smartphones last year. “There were some real problems,” Farnum, 49, told The Washington Post.