Supervise smartphone use by youngsters

Q: I think my brother’s kids, 10 and 12, are addicted to their smartphones. My brother says he can’t take away the phones because that’s how he and his wife keep track of them and how the kids stay connected to their friends. I think he should confiscate them. It affects how the kids interact with the family. What do you think? — Arlene H., Detroit

A: We think you’ve identified a growing problem worldwide: Unsupervised smartphone use by preteens and teens is being flagged for creating psychosocial developmental problems, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

A doctor in Colorado started a movement called Parents Against Underage Smartphones when he saw what was happening to his two pre-teen sons after they received smartphones. His once social and active kids became reclusive and acted like crack addicts when he took away their phones.

He then found that an estimated 13 million to 15 million kids are on devices without any content restrictions. Now, PAUS is pushing for a Colorado ballot initiative that would curb the sales of smartphones to children under the age of 13.

So, Arlene, tell your brother that pre-teen kids should be tightly supervised for smartphone usage.

Q: For the past three months I have been trying to do a daily combination of aerobic and strength-training exercise, but sometimes I just get plain weary. Shouldn’t I be getting stronger, not more worn out, from exercising regularly? — Charlene G., Savannah, Georgia

A: It’s terrific that you have started such a health-boosting workout routine. A combination of moderate endurance exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week — occasionally upping the intensity — combined with regular stretching and two days a week of strength training is guaranteed to provide most folks with a younger Realage. A good exercise routine is the best way to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

But you can end up with less endurance and get worn out if you don’t build in appropriate recovery time between your strength-training sessions and between strength training and aerobic workouts.

So, always put 24 hours between your aerobic workouts or between a strength-building workout and an aerobic workout. Limit strength building to 20 to 25 minutes and put at least 48 hours between strength-building routines.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.