As a parent, it’s always tempting to shove a smartphone in front of your kids and let them zone out. If you don’t, how are you going to find the time to play on your *own* smartphone? There’s just no way!

Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that there are consequences to this approach. According to The New York Times, having a smartphone under the age of 12 is not only frying their attention spans, it’s also setting them up for a pretty bad time later in life.

For example, kids who were given a smartphone before the age of 12 report higher rates of depression, worse sleep and higher rates of obesity than those who weren’t given a smartphone.

I know it may be difficult to raise a child without a smartphone, but I promise you the extra effort is worth it — if only so you don’t have to hear “six seven” 15 times a day.