Dining across the divide: ‘Kids shouldn’t really have smartphones – it’s akin to tobacco in 60s and 70s’

Here's something that caught my attention — Zoe Williams recently argued that kids having smartphones is as risky as smoking was in the 60s and 70s. Now, why does this matter? Well, in today’s world, kids are glued to screens, and it’s changing family dinners and social skills in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Williams points out that, according to experts, smartphones can be just as addictive and damaging as past health scares. She highlights how this isn’t just about technology — it's about safeguarding childhood innocence and real connection. Think of it like tobacco back in the day — initially popular, but later understood to be harmful. So what does this mean for you? Maybe it’s time to rethink how much screen time your kids really need, and how we can protect them from the downsides of AI and social media. As Zoe Williams writes in The Guardian, these devices could be shaping young minds in ways we’ll regret later — unless we act now.