Smartphones and human interaction

Sir, – As we debate the sometimes costly measures that Government and schools should undertake to help limit the exposure of younger folk to smartphones, could I offer a more modest proposal?

I wonder if those of us who have the privilege, even if only occasionally, of pushing a baby in a buggy, pram or stroller, might opt to put away our smartphones while those children are awake and eagerly seeking the interaction of the fascinating human face hovering over them?

If enough of us did that often enough it might, even in a small way, limit the nearly ubiquitous indoctrination of our children whereby we affirm by our everyday actions that smartphones play a central and indispensable role in human development and flourishing. – Yours, etc,

BRENDAN CONROY,