7 Ways to Short-Circuit Kids' Mobile Addiction Part 7

Parents should also take a hard look at their dependence on mobile devices. Many parents slip a mobile device into their children's hands to get some downtime without a child tugging their leg, or to get through a meal in a restaurant without flying food. That's okay in moderation, but kids eventually need to learn how to behave without these crutches, Markey said.

Letting go of the reliance on the iPad babysitter will pay dividends down the line, even if it leads to a few temper tantrums along the way, Markey said.

"It's easier in the short run to give in rather than facing the wrath of a 5-year-old," Markey said. "But at the end of the day you're the parent."