'How screens turn kids into psychotic junkies'

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
A kid is seen using a smartphone in this undated image.
A kid is seen using a smartphone in this undated image.
KGO-TV

One doctor is stirring up a lot of debate about how much time your kids should spend with technology.



Millions of people have read an article written by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras on how technology could be as addictive as drugs. He calls it "digital heroin."



Kardaras says smartphones and tablets are too much for children's brains, affecting normal development and any screen time for young kids can lead to ADHG, anxiety and depression.



When it comes to kids under 10, he says go cold turkey. "My advice is to hold off as much as possible. I treat teenagers who have technology addiction and it's extremely difficult to treat once that child has fallen into the rabbit hole," Kardaras said.



The American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees saying, some screen time is OK for younger kids and some educational programming is even beneficial.

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