Child smartphone ban is a dangerous idea

s a childless adult, I sometimes poke fun at those of my friends and colleagues who took the procreation plunge. A favorite (and admittedly silly) line of attack involves suggesting that child-rearing does something horrible to their brains.

Even freedom-loving nonconformists can become some of the biggest worriers and nannyists once they’re on the hook for making sure the little buggers grow up safe and proper.

Look, I get it. Raising children in our high-tech, super-connected world presents a host of challenges. I bow in respect to those who manage it well.

But still. This nannyist thing. We’re seeing it now big time in Colorado. Tim Farnum, an anesthesiologist and father of five, seeks to give voters the chance in 2018 to ban children 13 and younger from using smartphones. I do not question that Farnum is sincerely trying to help. The man is so good-hearted he grew concerned — after already raising older children — that smartphones were making his preteens surly. That’s preteens. Acting surly. Seriously, I don’t doubt that excessive exposure should be avoided for those so young. In fact, I would argue adults spend far too much time staring at screens. I applaud Farnum’s desire to raise awareness of the pitfalls, and those parents who set smart rules for their children.

That said, there are real dangers in the idea of looping the state into what should be family matters. Banning children from one of the most revolutionary technological breakthroughs in human history would stifle innovation. What’s more, such a ban would hurt those children in families who don’t have parents as dedicated to their development as the Farnums among us.

Let’s start with the precocious innovators in waiting. As Malcolm Gladwell famously argues in his book “Outliers,” even the greatest minds need practice, and a lot of it. What makes a Bill Gates or a Beatle is talent plus 10,000 hours of work.

Imagine, then, if adults back in the day worried young Beethoven would ruin his development unless he waited until he was 14 to play piano. Or if Eddie Van Halen’s parents forced him to focus on classical music until he was old enough to start running with the devil.

Young minds can be frighteningly powerful. Even the most accomplished of adults struggle to maintain the level of wideopen curiosity and full-throttle hunger for achievement they depended on as children. Steve Jobs likened the older mind to a vinyl record forcing the needle to stay on track. Young minds are able to bridge great divides, summon wonderfully refreshing ideas and risk bold experimentation.

We need that in our society.