“They’re not having any smartphones while they live under our roof,” Skorheim said on air, adding that the ban would remain in place until the boys turn 18, at which point they could decide for themselves.
Fill‑in host Greg Tomlin cautioned that the decision could isolate the boys socially, noting, “If your kids don’t have phones by seventh, eighth, ninth grade, they will be the only ones. They’ll also be pariahs, too. Their social circle will go down because people will think they’re weird.”
Both hosts agreed that smartphones are a major factor in what they described as an “epidemic of loneliness among young men.” Tomlin described the devices as “a little glowing rectangle” that offers instant gratification but leaves users with a “hollow shell,” while Skorheim warned that constant access could stunt his sons’ ability to read social cues, interact face‑to‑face, and develop emotionally.
Skorheim also expressed concern about unrestricted internet content, saying, “All the pornography and all of the connection to online female stuff for young men is a disaster. It’s truly going to ruin a good chunk of what could be a very, very meaningful part of their young life.”
Tomlin, whose oldest son is entering seventh grade, said he respects Skorheim’s stance but is taking a more measured approach: his son will receive an iPhone with no browser, no YouTube, no social‑media apps, and every download will require parental approval. He warned that an overly restrictive policy could miss teaching moments, recalling a childhood anecdote about friends who overindulged once they left the house.
Skorheim acknowledged the tension, noting that his wife shares the concern that a child who has never owned a smartphone might “go off the deep end” the moment they step outside and encounter a device for the first time. He also referenced his earlier commentary on Washington school smartphone bans, arguing that teenagers’ undeveloped prefrontal cortex makes them especially vulnerable to algorithm‑driven pull.
The on‑air exchange highlights a growing debate among parents and educators about how to balance the benefits of connectivity with the risks of digital overexposure, especially as schools across the state grapple with their own smartphone policies.