Statement From State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald: This Holiday Season, Let’s Be Intentional About Technology and Our Children’s Health

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 12, 2025) — As both a dad and a pediatrician, I understand the excitement of the holiday season — and the challenge that comes when your child asks for a smartphone. It's a request I've faced myself. These devices are remarkable tools that connect us, inspire creativity and open doors to learning. But as I've seen in my practice and in public health, they can also open doors to distraction and anxiety if not introduced thoughtfully.

As families across New York prepare for the holidays, I encourage parents and caregivers to make this decision with care and intention — not as a surprise under the tree, but as a shared responsibility. Research shows that excessive screen time and unfiltered access to online content can affect children's sleep, attention, mental health, and social well-being. The good news is that parents play a powerful role in helping children develop healthy digital habits.

Here are a few ways to approach it:

  • Make it a shared responsibility. Keep the phone in the parent's name and set clear expectations for how it will be used.
  • Start small. A basic phone can help children master communication before introducing apps and social media.
  • Set boundaries. Establish time limits, filter adult content, and keep phones out of bedrooms and off the dinner table. Do not allow App's to be downloaded without your permission, that might mean you have the password to the App store.
  • Stay involved. Talk regularly about what your child is seeing, sharing, and learning online.
  • Model balance. Children learn by watching us — how we use our devices teaches them how to use theirs.

There's no single "right age" for a smartphone. What matters most is helping children develop the skills and self-awareness to use technology safely and meaningfully.

This holiday season, I hope families across New York will focus on connection — the kind that doesn't rely on a screen. Share a meal, go for a walk, read together, or just talk. A smartphone can be a useful tool, but it's no replacement for the human connection our children need most.