As school begins, commit to balancing tech use with non-electronic activities

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Cris Rowan, CEO of Zone In Programs, recommends not giving children electronic devices until foundational skills in reading, printing and doing math on paper are established.

** Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, former clinical professor at Stony Brook Medicine and author of Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids--and How to Break the Trance (St. Martin's), has found treating heroin and crystal meth addicts easier than "lost-in-the-matrix video gamers or Facebook-dependent social media addicts."

In a recent NY Post article, he reports that one out of three children now uses a tablet or smartphone before they can talk.

Instead of Minecraft, Dr. Kandaras recommends Lego.

Instead of iPads, he recommends books.

Instead of TV, he encourages sports and nature.

Dr. Kandaras suggests that parents ensure that every child has healthy outlets, no electronics in the bedroom and nightly tech-free dinners.

** Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan has banned cell phones and cell phone-sized electronic devices from classes and hallways.