The rise of the internet-connected smartphone and similar devices poses a risk to the ties that bind us together within society. It is true that for many people, these devices provide ready access to a wealth of information and help them to maintain existing interpersonal relationships and to develop new ones. Yet the devices can also act as a significant obstacle within one of the most important relationships of all: that between a young child and his or her caregivers. With many users of smartphones checking them hundreds of times a day, psychologists are increasingly worried about the potential ‘cyber effect’ of parents and others shifting more of their attention away from the young children around them. Eye contact and other features of face-to-face ‘real world’ interaction are essential for the social and emotional development of young children.