The Trump admin wants kids to put the phone down. But such advice falls short

The Surgeon General's screen time warning overlooks the daily realities of American families

Published

June 1, 2026 6:30AM (EDT)

A 14-year-old boy holds an iPhone screen displaying various social media and messaging apps. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

Since smartphones have been invented, many parents have been concerned with how much screen time their children get — now even the federal government is essentially telling kids to “touch grass.” Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services released a new surgeon general advisory warning about the adverse health effects of children and screen time. Repeatedly using the phrase “live real life,” officials in the advisory advise kids to put down their phones and “be in the moment.” (Normally, such notices would be issued by the Surgeon General, but there is still no Senate-confirmed surgeon general 18 months into President Donald Trump’s second term.)